PANTHER TRIBE.
Akane was freaking cold. Even if it was a pretty warm late spring afternoon, the river she and Rin were currently fishing in was absolutely fucking freezing.
But sadly, Sesshomaru didn't look like he was going to come help them anytime soon. Every time she looked over to him, he seemed to be perfectly content in watching them as he rested under a tree. But he at least looked actually relaxed for once, so she really wasn't all that upset about it.
After all, over half the time he was the one to bring fish and wild game whenever returning to camp. So maybe he was making sure they knew how to fend for themselves.
"But damn am are my legs frozen…" She grumbled, almost managing to spear a fish with the stick she had sharpened with one of her knives.
Rin of course was having a blast in the water despite the cold, trying to catch the fish with her hands but so far doing more chasing them away then actually catching them. Jaken doing his best to coach her without being too snappy for once, and when he spotted a big one both girls got excited and started shouting directions as he went after it.
The imp actually managed to grab it by the tail and they cheered in victory, but then Akane noticed Sesshomaru starting to leave, walking up river.
~Leaving again?~ Shen said lazily from her pendant, not even phased, and frankly neither was she really. But he had just returned this morning from being gone and normally he stuck around a while before repeating the process.
"I'll be right back guys." She waved to the others, who had also paused in their victory dance to watch Sesshy leave.
"Okay! We'll continue to fish." Rin said while splashing more water around, looking glad that Akane was going to go and try and stop him from leaving so soon.
"You mean I'LL continue to fish." Jaken corrected smugly, tossing the current catch to land and going back to look for more, also unphased by his lord walking off.
She followed behind him in the water for a bit, but he picked up the pace suddenly and she was having a hard time keeping up on the uneven river bed.
"H-hey! Where are you going?" Akane called out, not expecting an actual reply, hopping back onto the bank and following after him. He didn't go far though before stopping, and someone was approaching, no doubt he had sensed them.
Akane came to a stop behind him, a small twitch of his fingers was a sign to remain back a ways and she obeyed as a woman with pale blue hair came walking down the river, freezing it beneath her feet with each step she took. The ice slowly spread from one side to the other, a thick layer over the running water beneath it.
"If it isn't Toran." Sesshomaru greeted, none too pleased, and something about the woman made Akane on edge.
Everything about her reminded Akane of winter. Hair, eyes, and clothes all shades of icy blue. Even her robes had a snowflake pattern on it in places. Clearly she was proud of her elemental abilities, to make it so painfully obvious what they were.
"It's been a LONG time, Sesshomaru." Toran's tone was almost a copy of Sesshy's. Making the tension in the air stronger and Shen whistled in her head at the cold exchange between them.
"I thought you were dead." Sesshomaru said, and Akane knew in that instant that this was an enemy. A hint of venom in his voice that normally was reserved for his brother.
"That's a fine way to greet someone," The woman laughed, although it was not a friendly one, as she peered around him and locked eyes with Akane. Her head tilted slightly, and she looked like a curious cat as she leaned forward a little.
"Who's your little girlfriend? She has some strange aura going on, and I'm smelling human. Taking after your old man?" She teased, making Akane turn pink and earning an actual growl from Sesshomaru as he moved to block her from view.
"As if this Sesshomaru would ever sink so low as to take on a human lover. Don't insult me." He stated, sounding actually insulted and that kinda stung her a little bit, making Akane step back with a look of shame.
Toran noted her reaction to his words and tsked, shaking her head as if in sympathy. "Cold. Always so cold, Sesshomaru."
"What is it that you want of me? You could have remained hidden, yet, you reveal that you made it out alive." He went back to business, dismissing Akane completely from the conversation. She wanted to crawl in a hole, but leaving now would make her look all the more foolish then she already felt.
~He's getting the attention off of you Akane, and with this woman I think that's the best thing he could have done.~
Sure, she knew that's partly what he was doing. But she also knew he really DID feel that way about humans, so it really wasn't an act on his part in the end.
Saying what he did worked though, Toran also dropping her interest in Akane for the moment as she took on a more serious expression, sending a deadly glare before answering Sesshomaru, and even at this distance the hair on the back of her neck stood up as she sensed danger.
"This time I'm going to settle things once and for all." She said in a dark tone, a little cruel smile on her face.
"We settled things long ago. But you won't be as lucky as you were fifty years ago." His response was hindering on boredom, like he had expected this, but wasn't worried.
His reaction annoyed her, and she looked him over with a hand on her hip. "You're still as boorish as ever I see. I agree that things will turn out differently then they did fifty years ago though… Our master is waiting for you."
"Master?" Sesshomaru actually sounded somewhat surprised, boredom dropping, and this only peeked Akane's interest.
"Yes, the one who leads the Panther tribe." Toran said smugly, pointing at him. "I realize YOUR father is dead. But our master is going to be resurrected… At long last."
Even if she couldn't see his face from behind, Akane could see a change in his stance, this news definitely bothered him. And no doubt that jibe about his father hit the mark.
"Resurrected? For what purpose?" He clearly already knew, his voice and stance made it more a warning then a question.
Again the woman smiled, pleased this upset him and unfazed by the warning. "To attack the lands in the East once again… But more importantly, to get out REVENGE. On all your kind."
~Oh this is bad.~ Shen commented as Sesshomaru bristled a bit, radiating rising anger as his next words were not just a warning, but a deadly threat.
"I personally will see to it that he NEVER breathes again." He bit out, and she was expecting him to crack his claws to prep for a fight, but Toran opened her arms as if to deflect his rage.
"I'm glad to hear you've accepted my challenge!" She beamed, completely happy to have pissed him off, and when he took hold of Tokijin at his side she laughed once again. "Come now, don't be so hasty, we won't battle it out here…"
Suddenly there was a cold wind that kicked up around Toran, the layer of ice on the river breaking, moving as if under her command to build a wall between them to keep him from coming at her like he so clearly wished to do.
"Come to our castle! That way you can bring as many reinforcements as you require! And DO also bring that pretty little girlfriend of yours!" She called out while rising into the air in a gust of blizzard wind, ice and snow mixed into a small tornado that carried her off.
Sesshomaru didn't even bother going after her, but he did watch her go as his hand tightened on Tokijin.
~Is it just me, or does the boy appear almost nervous?~
Shen was right. While Sesshomaru hadn't moved, and she couldn't see his face, she could almost feel something off about him. Like his aura was altering to a nervous energy.
Seems her abilities were getting better after all.
Just then, Rin came running up from behind, Jaken gasping in tow and bringing along Ah-Uhn. "Sesshomaru-samaaa! Lookit all the fish we just caught! It's a feast!"
Both of them turned around, and in Rin's hand was a good bundle of fish. About seven or eight of them, and the girl was beaming in pride as she ran up.
"Oh wow! That's fantastic Rin, did you catch them all?" Akane asked, trying to get over her dampened mood, which was rather easy with how bright the girl could smile.
"Well… Jaken-sama got MOST of them," She admitted sheepishly, stopping right at Sesshomaru's feet and holding the fish up like a trophy. "BUT Rin caught the BIG ones!"
This brought him out of whatever he was thinking, staring down at the girl's excited face for a moment, then looking at them all as if deciding on something.
"Rin, you are to wait here with Ah-Uhn." He said, then looked to Akane with narrowed eyes. "I expect YOU to do the same."
She deflated under that stare, still hurt by the disgust that had been in his voice earlier, she had no energy to argue no matter how curious she was. Her only response was to lower her head in a silent and obedient nod.
Rin was clearly puzzled by Akane's lack of protest like normal, and looked back and forth between the two of them before trying to lighten the mood. "Okay Sesshomaru-sama! We won't move from this spot! You better come back for us!"
"W-where are we going Sesshomaru-sama?" Jaken asked with a frown, also looking between the two of them in concern.
"The panther tribe has returned." Was all he had to say to make the imp go into a full panic, making Akane three times as worried as she was before, but there was no way in hell she was gonna argue with him today.
She expected them to start walking off, but things went silent aside from Jaken's frantic babbling, and when Akane at last looked up she found the Western Lord staring at her.
"W-what? I won't follow you." She said nervously, still not used to his unblinking stare, and this time there was something different about it she couldn't place.
After an awkward amount of time, Sesshomaru finally turned and began walking off with Jaken rambling at his heels.
~Sigh… Opportunity lost.~
"Huh?" Akane blinked and held the pendant, Rin announcing that she wanted to try catching more fish and hopping right back into the water with glee.
~The boy missed his golden opportunity to apologize for how he worded things earlier. He was debating it at least, but that does not earn him any points.~ Shen huffed.
"I highly doubt the great and mighty Sesshomaru even understood why I was upset." She retorted while rolling her eyes, picking up the bundle of fish Rin had left and taking it back down river to the camp.
~Mmm… I admit he is a bit of an airhead on some things, but I think he had figured this one out. Just too damn proud to apologize. He'll mature eventually.~
"You say that with such confidence it scares me." Akane joked as she looked in her pack for matches. Might as well busy herself with cooking while things were fresh.
Suddenly the air around Akane turned cold, like, FRIGID cold. In an instant she was shivering in her skirt, fingers shaking and she had to drop the matches.
"I KNEW he wouldn't bring you along. That man isn't as good an actor as he thinks. But he was a fool to leave his girlfriend all alone!" Toran laughed as she fell from the sky in that same blizzard tornado, a smaller one starting to form around Akane as the bitter cold stung her eyes.
She wanted to try and fight, or at least verbally refuse the girlfriend bit, but the last thing she wanted was for Rin to come back down the river and ALSO get caught.
So Akane pretended to feint from the sudden cold, not too much of an act really, given how she was starting not to feel any of her limbs and her teeth hurt from chattering.
~I know what your doing, and it is both brave and stupid.~ Shen said with worry and admiration as Akane was lifted up to the panther woman, doing her best not to react but cracking her eye just enough to notice Rin hiding behind a rock in the river bellow. She was grateful the child knew better then to come out, and trusted she would stay at camp and wait.
"Hmm, a pretty little thing, if not a bit strange looking. You'll make for a nice sacrifice. Let the dog lose something precious this time around." Toran said with a hint of glee as they started to fly off at top speed.
And this time, Akane really did feint.
…..
~Akane… How long do you intend to sleep? I can feel your heartbeat, so I know you're alive despite that woman damn near freezing you to death. Come on now my girl, get UP!~
She felt herself coming out of a deep fog of sleep, following Shen's voice, which was the loudest out of the different quieter ones that seemed to surround her.
She was cold, a cold that seeped into her very bones, and the moment she was conscious enough her body began to shiver. But there was also a weight on her chest like an incredibly heavy blanket trying to warm her up, and she could feel the heat coming off of it. Her body soaking it in like a sponge.
"Hmmph… Heavy…"
"AKANE! Oh thank god, please open your eyes!"
That definitely wasn't Shen, but he mirrored the happy and worried voice with his own concerns as she did her best to force her eyes open. A slow process but at last she managed.
Things were fuzzy for a second. Then none other then Kagome came into focus above her. Like RIGHT above her. Too close.
Kagome was the heavy blanket, laying on top of Akane and rubbing her arms to try and get her warmed up again.
"Y'know, this would make many high school boys dreams come true K-chan. Maybe even Miroku."
~For the love of- REALLY Akane?~ Shen said before bursting into laughter, and she could also feel heat radiating from the pendant, slowly fading, like he had been doing it for a while and was at last running out of power.
Kagome also started laughing, hugging onto Akane so tightly that she could barely breath. "I was SO scared when they dumped you in here like that! You must be frozen to the bone!"
"Can't feel any of my bones currently, which is good since your crushing them…" Akane gasped, making Kagome both let go and get off, sitting right beside her and helping her slowly get up off the hard wood floor, unthawed bones aching.
~Seems the panthers want revenge on both brothers if they snatched up Kagome as well. The both of you together should be able to escape.~
"Gimme a sec to not be a dragon popsicle will you?" She groaned, trying to stretch and rub her legs to get the blood flowing.
"Does Shen have any plans on how to get out?" Kagome asked, rubbing Akane's back and glancing behind them. "I'm afraid it's not just us who'll need to be freed."
Turning with an audible creak in her neck, she jumped as she realized they were in a cell with about thirty or so other humans, all looking weary and hopeless and eyeing the two girls like they were witches or something. Well crap…
"The mighty Shen's plan is this. We escape. Smart right?"
~HEY!~
Sadly Kagome didn't share in her humor and merely rolled her eyes to the ceiling with a groan. But before they could talk any further, loud footsteps got their attention. A huge male with some kind of crown on his head came down the hall, carrying an unconscious Miroku and Sango. The yokai, no doubt another panther, tossed them into the cell and slammed the door before the girls could think to ambush him.
"What the hell do you want with us?" Akane glared, wanting to get to her feet but her legs still would not move.
"You all will be a sacrifice, and we'll use that priestess's jewel shards, in order to resurrect our master." He grinned with little pointed fangs, eyeing Akane like he rather eat her instead, thinking better of it after a second and turning to leave.
"Sacrifice…" Kagome didn't hide her fear as she went over to her friends, trying to wake them as the panther left.
~At least you and your friends are all are together, a far better chance to make it out alive now.~
After a few minutes Miroku was the first to sit up, looking a bit dizzy, but he instantly was concerned for Sango, tapping her on the face gently until her eyes fluttered open as well.
"Thank goodness, we're all safe, for now." Kagome generally was relieved, and so was Akane as she could at last move her legs without that numbing pain.
"Kagome!" Miroki jumped, having been so focused on Sango that he hadn't even noticed them yet.
"And Akane! I'm glad your both alright!" Sango sat up and took hold of Kagome's hands, letting out a breath as both she and Miroku greeted them.
"So is this some kind of prison cell they've put us in?" Miroku asked while looking around for a way out, pausing as his gaze went to the people behind Kagome.
"These must be the villagers missing from outside the castle." Sango stated while getting to her feet, looking over the people as if to inspect for injuries. Eyes narrowing in rage when she noticed all the children also here to be sacrificed.
Now all their attention was on the group of terrified people behind them. People of all ages. Families.
"These peoples lives were uprooted once the panthers decided to use this hidden place as their base… All to start a war for revenge, just like humans. Yokai are no different." Akane said as her own anger rose, warming up her body to almost it's normal temperature.
"Um, don't worry everyone. We'll all be getting out of here pretty soon!" Kagome said, going for her more chipper and perky voice to try and lift the mood of the room, but the only responses were mumbles and words of fear.
"No, REALLY, people are coming for us, and we'll get saved in no time at all-"
"Who could be stronger then the cats?" One man in the back called out skeptically, barely heard over the hushed whispers.
"Well, we have Inuyasha, he's super strong and won't give up until he gets us out of here!" She beamed with pride and it was actually kinda cute how she lit up at his name.
"And Koga is coming. He showed up not long after you were taken, and shouldn't be too far behind." Miroku added, going to the wooden bars and studying them, giving a good shake before huffing in defeat. "I could use my Wind Tunnel, but there are too many people in this cramped space to be safe…"
"OH! And Sesshomaru is here already too, but he wasn't too happy to have his brother involved in this." Sango looked over to Akane, offering a reassuring smile.
But since none of these people had a clue who any of the men were, this news of a rescue party did nothing to change their gloom and doom outlook, and really, who could blame them?
The lack of reaction did deflate Kagome's mood though, as she sighed with slumped shoulders and looked to Akane.
"So they used you as bait too huh?"
"Actually…" Akane said with a nervous laugh. "Sesshy-sama has no idea that I got captured. Toran circled back around and got me after she initiated the challenge and he left. Seems to think he'd be effected if I'm sacrificed."
"Of COURSE he'd be effected! He likes you." Kagome stated in her no duh kinda voice. Earning some interesting looks from Sango and Miroku that mirrored Akane's own doubts.
~See? Even this girl noticed it. You need to have more self confidence and see past his ego.~ Shen agreed one hundred percent of course, not that it changed her opinion. But now was totally not the time for this conversation.
"ANYWAY… I'm gonna guess that you all might have a better idea at what's going on then I do. All I know is this Toran lady shows up, makes threats, mentions something about a fight fifty years ago, and then snatches my ass once Sesshy-sama is long gone. And now Yasha and you guys are involved? Before we make escape plans I want to know the details." Akane crossed her arms, desperately needing to know more.
Sesshomaru had actually been on edge for once, something she didn't think she had EVER seen. Even when he had found out about Inuyasha going full yokai. This was more then a simple enemy like that snake Kazuma had been.
"From what we've gathered, it's initially a grudge match from previous battles. First between Inuyasha's father and the leader of the panther tribe centuries ago, and then between Sesshomaru and Toran fifty years ago. They originally came from China to rule over the yokia here, but keep failing in their attempts." Miroku informed her, confirming the bits she had put together herself from the encounter with Toran.
"But this time they're using the jewel shards to bring their leader back from the dead to try and kill both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, not that it will work of course. They have no idea how strong and stubborn those two are." Kagome finished, once again looking proud, making Akane smile.
It seemed that things between her and Yasha had to have improved a little bit, for K-chan to look that happy. This thought erasing her smile, wondering how angry Sesshy would be at her for getting captured when he found out.
Suddenly, there was a static in the air, the room beginning to glow a soft white as the floor vibrated under their feet.
"What the hell?!" She yelped, as everyone grabbed hold of one another. The vibration turning into an all out quake as the soft glow turned blinding, the walls fading away as they seemed to be engulfed in a ball of light.
~A teleportation spell of some kind! The sacrificial ritual must be about to start!~ Shen exclaimed as all of Akane's senses were consumed with solid white.
.….
There was no doubt about it.
Toran carried a feint trace of Akane's scent. Even when she had been taunting him about his missing arm at the bridge to try and rile him into an attack, his focus had been trained upon it. That hint of lotus and berries.
How dare that woman take something of his...
It hadn't been necessary for her to take Akane. He was already on his way to accept the challenge and she knew this. Making the choice to take a captive a low blow, one he would not so easily forgive once they faced one another in battle.
Bringing Inuyasha into something that had nothing to do with him had pissed him off enough, but now taking from him?
Sesshomaru would do more then simply stop them from reviving their master. Punishment was due for this foolish and arrogant transgression.
Toran had left after trying to goad him, and he followed after her despite the woman trying to confuse him by making circles, purposely leaving her scent in different directions along the way to the rundown castle.
At last at the altar, he paused and stared in mild awe.
The mummified corpse of the panther clan leader was nothing compared to his own fathers height, but they had preserved it's body so well despite how long ago it had died. Clearly they had planned to bring it back to life somehow from the very beginning. Planning and waiting for just the right ritual.
The beast would prove to be a challenge if the thing were to awaken. And it looked like he had arrived just in time.
Leaping with his Tokijin extended, Sesshomaru hit against some unseen force that only glowed a feint red after he had touched it, the red fading away again once he landed away.
"A barrier." Blast it. This would prove to be difficult, and he still could only make out a hint of Akane's scent. Unable to spot her as he quickly scanned the area for traps or an ambush.
Noticing him, Toran smiled, pleased he had arrived. "Our master will soon be resurrected. Sesshomaru, prepare to die."
Such arrogance…
His eyes went to the Sacred Jewel shards glowing at the alter. Of course. That cursed thing was always causing trouble, no wonder his half brother was here. They most likely had taken Kagome as well for those shards.
The moon grew bright as clouds parted overhead, positioned directly above the mummy as part of whatever dark ritual this was to bring him back. The thing moved, withered hand reaching out and taking the shards to dump into it's gaping mouth. Body beginning to glow as life was returned.
"Blood… Give me blood… and a soul…" A raspy, wretched voice crackled from the beast as yet another barrier, one of solid white, dissolved a few feet away to reveal a group of humans, including Inuyasha's group. And at the center was…
"Akane." He hadn't meant to say it, but that word caused Toran to turn and smirk at him knowingly as he mentally slapped himself for the slip.
"I knew she meant something to you. Now you can lose a lover, like you killed mine fifty years ago." She said with a hiss and glare full of hate.
There were always casualties to war, part of his reasoning for going it alone and avoiding attachments. The effect of dread by just seeing Akane in danger was enough to make him regret allowing himself to get even remotely close to her.
That is, until she looked at him. Sapphire eyes looking both happy to see him and also guilty at putting him in this position. Like she knew what he was thinking. And that sad expression made knots churn in his stomach as he recalled what he had said earlier that day, knowing it had hurt her, but having said it to try and AVOID this situation...
"Your little girlfriend didn't put up much of a fight at all when I took her. Rather an unlikely choice for you, Sesshomaru, but as they say… Like father like son." Toran once again taunted, trying to distract him, but he wasn't like Inuyasha who was so easily baited into making mistakes.
Unlike the last battle, this time he would make sure that the people relying on him wouldn't die. This time he only had one person, instead of a small army of yokai who volunteered without his asking, only to lose. Surely, he could save Akane.
And there was no doubt in his mind that she had allowed herself to get caught to protect Rin. An admirable thing.
Suddenly, there was a shout bringing him out of his thoughts and his eyes away from Akane. For once it was NOT Inuyasha, but some other male yokai shouting out Kagome's name and attempted to assault the barrier with a force filled kick.
Of course, he too was tossed back, landing not so gracefully on his ass beside two other… Wolves?
"Hahaha! As if fools like you could break the great ones barrier!" Toran's attention thankfully went elsewhere as she turned her taunting to this new male along with her siblings.
The mummy's eyes glowed as it once more moved, this time reaching towards the group of humans.
Sesshomaru's mind was racing for a plan as he watched the monk attempt that attack of his, only to freeze and fall to his knees, either paralyzed in fear or by magic, he didn't know.
"KAGOME!"
Ah, he was late, but here came Inuyasha. Sesshomaru glanced to his half brother, about to make a remark about his timing, but was surprised to see something completely new going on with the Tessaiga…
It was turning RED.
He stared, admittedly surprised, as this new attack somehow allowed the brat to slice the barrier. Completely shattering it.
This was unexpected, but welcome. Not that he would say so.
However, the fools shouting had ruined any chance of a surprise attack, the ruckus getting the attention of everyone as the mummy turned around.
Sesshomaru was about to start an attack, but more shouting made him pause as now the imp came running, repeating his name over and over as if he couldn't hear him the first time.
So, Jaken was alive… Giving him two people to keep from dying this time. Easy enough.
Inuyasha made his way to the humans, both he and the other male surrounding Kagome before the wolf took her and jumped far enough away to be safe moments before the panther mummy's hand went for the hanyou.
Inuyasha easily stopped and shattered the hand, sending the mummy reeling back in pain as Kagome quickly rejoined him. The girl apparently had chosen his half brother over the wolf… Strange taste.
Meanwhile, Akane had been trying to lead the village humans away without being noticed, only to be blocked by a group of panther yokai the moment Toran caught her movements, ordering them to go stop the escape.
"Excuse ME, but aren't we supposed to be your LIVE sacrifices? You can't exactly kill us!" Akane snapped with a haughty expression, holding one of the two knives she always had hidden in her boots.
"Yeah, out of the way, come on." Kagome joined her, the two girls shoving aside the weaker panthers before the wolf and his pack mates followed suit, slashing a path for the humans to start leaving the castle. The loud group was quickly joined by the monk and yokai slayer, working together with ease.
Sesshomaru relaxed a bit, having not even noticed how tense he had been, thankful that the girl had friends she could rely on, and that they in turn might keep her safe as his focus went elsewhere. Inuyasha had managed to knock over the mummy, now sending threats back and forth with the panthers as he waved his sword around with no actual planning behind it.
A hint of jealousy hit Sesshomaru fast and hard.
If HE had possession of Tessaiga back then, fifty years ago, the battle wouldn't have ended in a draw. And he wouldn't have lost so many men. They wouldn't be here now, fighting again.
Sesshomaru needed it, yet, was unable to wield it…
And watching the brat take on Toran and her siblings was only proving more and more that Inuyasha wasn't fit to have it. His skills rash and unrefined as he quickly became overtaken by the four felines and their mixed elemental abilities.
Sesshomaru leapt into the fray, sending a burst of lightning out from Tokijin and blasting everyone bellow in separate directions as he landed in front of the brat.
"Keh, I TOLD you not to interrupt!" Inuyasha snapped while sitting up in the dirt pile he had made from impact.
This boy had no legitimate right to even be here…
"Stay were you are. These panther yokai belong to me." He warned, unable to hide his disapproval.
As always, Inuyasha ignored him, getting to his feet and snapping at him like a child. "Not this time. Your gonna be the one who has to back down."
The idiocy was overwhelming at times...
"Enough!" Sesshomaru gritted between clenched fangs, truly, only this idiot could make him so angry this quickly. The brat had been sealed to a tree fifty years ago. He had no idea about ANY of this, and didn't belong in this fight.
Unable to help it, his temper was getting the best of him as he and the hanyou began clashing swords. Striking at one another over and over again, trying to bring one or the other to thier knees in a show of dominance.
"Back DOWN." Inuyasha bit out as they clashed once more, Sesshomaru leaning closer as sparks flew between their locked blades, using his height to his advantage.
"I don't need any help from you." He stated, wanting to knock the fool unconscious in order to get back to HIS battle.
But the sound of a scream made both of them freeze in their tracks, quickly turning around.
Thankfully, the source had not been Akane, or any of the other humans for that matter. They had successfully managed a retreat at this point, no longer in sight.
Instead it appeared that the leader of the panther tribe had decided to take the souls of his own children rather then wait to be fed. He had just taken the lives of all three of Toran's siblings, their combined power more then enough to begin solidifying the ritual as Toran looked on in pure confused horror, collapsing by their fallen bodies and calling out their names as shock set in.
Tendons, muscle, flesh and fur began to return, sliding back over the bones as it's sunken eyes reformed. The mummy stood up, back to it's former self as it flexed it's limbs and cast the glowing gaze of hunger and hate downwards.
"Sons of the dog general… You will be next!" It growled out, and the two half brothers began attacking. First Sesshomaru, then Inuyasha sent out a Wind Scar, but both attacks did absolutely nothing. Only making the giant feline laugh.
Of course… Those Sacred Jewel shards would have increased his powers, as they did with everyone else. Making this beast more powerful then when father had killed it. Sesshomaru wisely leapt out of the way, watching Inuyasha continue the assault and barely avoiding being hit as the claws on the panther shot out of it's fingertips like arrows.
Those claws were then aimed his way, and he managed to deflect them with Tokijin, getting close to the head, thinking maybe he could at least blind the creature. But a last second swipe from one of it's horns struck him, sending him flying and he barely managed to land on his feet.
"Heheheh… I think I'll eat you next." It said, new claws forming and approaching Sesshomaru quickly, only for Inuyasha to distract it by attacking it's horns, perhaps trying to remove them. Or just attacking blindly, he honestly didn't know.
"Sesshomaru-sama!" Jaken came running, the imp should have been smart and ran away instead. "Sesshomaru… sama?"
He hated doing this. He REALLY hated doing this.
But it looked like he might have to rely on his own beast form to have a chance at killing his enemy. This was always a draining process, and always took time to recover from because the animal side of him wasn't careful…
He was pissed off, and was sick of Inuyasha getting in his way, misusing the Tessaiga, and Sesshomaru was just flat out done. He felt his yokai aura swirling along with his rage, felt his eyes change to red and his fangs elongate as his beast grew eager that it was about to come out.
But then, a vibration made him take pause.
Glancing down, he seen the sword at his hip pulse, trying to get his attention. His anger slowly fading to curiosity.
"Tenseiga… You wish to be drawn?" Another pulse was his answer, a sensation of urgency coming from the blade, and his beast faded to the backround once again. He looked back to his enemy, seeing his half brother being tossed aside.
Why did father give him Tenseiga? A question he didn't think he'd ever know the answer to, but it did seem to come in handy at the most unexpected of situations… Like right now.
A sword that couldn't slay the living, only having a use if something was dead. And technically, that beast was still half dead now wasn't he?
With a sigh, Sesshomaru gave into the blade's wants and leapt at the giant feline, drawing Tenseiga and attacking, feeling the blade make contact, but as always, no blood or wound was left behind when he landed feet away, slipping it right back into it's sheath without giving it a second look.
"You can't cut me with that, it's blade is too dull!" The panther cackled, reaching out to grab him, but froze, and he glanced over his shoulder curiously.
While there was no wound, a mark made of light appeared where Sesshomaru had cut, and what appeared to be smoke, or perhaps the panthers life force, was beginning to leak out as the beast fell to his hands behind him. Screaming out in pain and confusion about what he had done as it's body began to regress back into that of a mummy.
Satisfied, Sesshomaru didn't look back, knowing the job was done and now once again focused on finding Akane as he began to walk off, passing by an openly gaping Inuyasha.
"You can finish him off." He said calmly, only feeling a slight bit of victory about it, but unsatisfied at the same time. How odd.
"Uh, yeah." The boy clearly had his own questions, but was too in a daze to ask, shaking his head and finishing off the beast with one final Wind Scar and removing the jewel shards.
Passing by Toran, he wasn't all that surprised when her siblings began to awaken, souls returned from the stomach of their master, shocking the woman almost as much as their deaths had as she cried out.
Naturally, Jaken paused to explain things, praising his lords abilities of returning the dead to life. He kept walking though, not giving a damn if they wanted another fight. As long as their master was dead, they remained only half a threat.
But as he exited the castle grounds, not only did Jaken run to catch up to him, but Toran as well.
"Wait, Sesshomaru, I have something to say!"
With a barely concealed growl he turned, calm mask in place and expecting more taunts. But strangely, the woman actually looked grateful and she bowed to him, despite her siblings gasping in shock behind her.
"Y-you, you saved them. You knew they would come back to me, and let it happen. Anyone else would have killed me while I was in shock, but you didn't" She stated, studying him.
"As if this Sesshomaru would do something so low." He scoffed, turning his back on her to go, Jaken by his side.
"Heh… I see. Then we will no longer trouble you and your kind, we're going back to China. I think, there is no longer need for revenge for deeds past."
He gave no response. He hadn't brought her siblings back to make peace. And he would have no trouble fighting them again should they return. It really didn't matter.
Mixing with the smell of wolves and humans was one thing that made him quicken his pace. Akane was bleeding.
…...….
Both Shen and Kagome had attempted to make Akane stay with everyone at the river. But she had been there long enough while Kagome had patched up the wound she got to her right leg, a fairly deep and nasty gash from a side swipe of claws in the fight at the castle. It had bled all the way here, one of the villagers had helped her walk as a way to repay her for helping save his child from one of the panthers.
They had managed to get most of the villagers out safely, only a few were wounded, and as she left both Miroku and Sango were going around checking on each individual as Kagome joined them, Shippo off entertaining the children.
While Akane did want to stay and rest up a bit, and maybe actually properly meet the three wolves she had heard so much about when visiting Kagome in the past, she also was worried for Sesshomaru. There was no doubt that he had survived, but she was impatient to make sure he was okay.
So the moment she was properly bandaged up, swearing to Kagome that she would heal in a few days thanks to her dragon blood, Akane had been given a walking stick from a kind and grateful old man.
Despite Shen complaining like a worried old woman in her head, she was making good time. Already halfway back to what remained of the village, wincing now and then whenever the bandages rubbed the wrong way.
She was surprised though when she turned a corner and found Sesshomaru walking down the path with a determined look, most likely tracking her scent and had known she was there, Jaken puffing out gasps while catching up from behind.
"Sesshy-sama!" Akane couldn't help but brighten at seeing him completely unharmed, not even a bruise. In her relief she forgot her own injury, and tried to go to him too fast.
"Watch it you fool!" The imp scolded as, with an embarrassing yelp of pain, she lost her footing, but Sesshomaru flashed to her side and caught her before she hit the ground.
Now she was staring up at him, trying not to blush like an idiot at how straight out of a movie this was. Sesshomaru however, was glaring at her, which kinda ruined the moment at the same time it made it more believable.
"You're bleeding." He said, a strange mix of accusation and possibly concern, as he helped her back up onto her feet. Golden eyes scanning her body and landing on the bandages wrapped around her calve, which were pink with the blood already seeping through.
~One track minded as always I see...~
Akane ignored Shen's joke, always finding Sesshomaru's odd ways to show concern kinda cute in his own way, trying not to smile as he glared at her injury.
"No doubt you were reckless while keeping those pathetic human villagers safe." Jaken scoffed, scolding her.
She rolled her eyes, but when Sesshy made that famous "Hn" sound, staring at her expectantly, she scrambled to answer.
"Oh, it's fine! I mean, right now it's not, because walking is a pain in the ass. But in two or three days it'll just be a fading scar as long as I keep it clean, and Kagome gave me plenty of bandages until then! But how are you? You look fine, obviously, and of course you won the battle right?" She felt like she was babbling, and she forced herself to stop, looking down.
"Indeed. With little to no assistance from Inuyasha, but rest assured that he is also relatively unharmed." The fact he was kind enough to inform her, despite the annoyed tone at the mention of his brother, it made her happy.
"Thank you… I know having him there must have been kinda hard, but you did good today despite how ignorant he must have been about the whole thing." She still couldn't look at him, not wanting to bother him with the million questions she had about his father and the details of the previous war.
The last thing he needed was to relive bad memories. She knew that all too well.
"They fought with each other a bit over who got to kill the beast, but in the end it had been my lord who did the deed! And he even made peace with the survivors!" Jaken stated, chest out in pride and admiration, making her blink in surprise.
~Made peace did he? How out of character...~
"Their master had devoured their souls, since the humans escaped. By killing him I returned them. It had not been intentional." Sesshomaru pointed out, sounding annoyed.
Akane just smiled at him. Intentional or not, he had let them continue to live afterwards… He was kinder then he liked people to think he was. And trying to hide it made her just all the more curious about him.
He was silent for the count of ten, watching her watch him, and she could tell by that little frown he knew exactly what she was thinking about him. Then he stepped close to her, almost too close. A distance he normally didn't even allow her to be with him without permission.
"You allowed yourself to be captured to protect Rin, yes?" His gaze was tired but intense, and it didn't surprise her that he was quick to get the topic off of himself.
Akane instantly perked up, beyond happy that he actually wasn't angry with her. Or upset about Toran being convinced enough that they were some kind of couple to kidnap her.
"Y-yes! That's exactly why-"
Without warning, he scooped her up and pressed her against his chest. She only released a small gasp, starting to get used to him doing this, the two of them taking off into the air as she held tight to his armor and he raised a knee to help brace her.
"Next time, this one will make sure you do not get taken." He said as they began to fly. And the determination in his voice made everything inside her feel warm as she hid her face.
"Sesshomaru-sama! Don't leave me behind… Again!" Jaken chased after them from bellow.