Hi! I'm back for now!
I know I'm very late, and very sorry about it, there's been quite a bit of change in my life lately... since the house was coming along great we decided that it maybe about time to set a date for the wedding (you know after being engaged for 3 years...) so since mister is at sea half of the year, and we tend to enjoy life when he's home, the time I usually spent writing when he's not here went on working on the wedding. Its slow going, my god I didn't know there we so many thing to do.
And just when I finally found a bit of free time and wrote this chapter (you'll see on my profile it has been done for a month) my mother went for a simple dental surgery and it went really wrong, she nearly slipped in a coma so yes - I went to her house in a hurry to take care of her rather than the wedding or my story. Still, she's getting better (I'm still at her place, and missing a bit my home but well, must do...) so I've had a bit of time to write the next chapter, and correct this one.
I'm putting big changes up, so I'll hope you'll enjoy!
Chapter X September 1996 The Great Dog Inheritance
Kohaku – wasn't well, to say the least.
He had clear memories not only of killing his family, but also the villagers where they'd found him, and knowing that he'd been controlled by Naraku didn't mean he didn't feel responsible.
Still, he had been overjoyed to learn of the survival of his village, and his sister – but just as Sango had predicted, didn't feel up to go home, not ready to face the dead that would haunt him there. Sango couldn't really blame her brother – she too had fled their home after all, by following the pack in their hunt for Naraku, and had been lucky enough to find a new family in their midst...
What hurt worst for the girl, was to see the guilt in her brother's eyes each time he looked at her – even if she understood he needed time to heal, it didn't stop her from wanting to heal his heart and mind here and now, just as they had been able to do for his physical wounds.
But while the still weak boy was slowly getting better, the miasma poisoning both Padfoot and Kirara was lingering – and it was just as they were wondering about going to the future to find a cure that Myouga popped up with tales about a small village less than a day away renowned for it's medicinal garden...
"I guess chichi-ue was right," Tsukiko commented, the young ookami looking faintly surprised "He is good at information gathering even if he's a coward."
With that, it was swiftly decided that InuYasha and Kagome would go, while Sango would stay with Shippou to take care of her brother, the pack hopping the young kitsune would help make the human feel better – it was after all difficult to stay neutral in front of their youngest pack-mate's antics...
Miroku had volunteered himself to help the tajiya, much to Kagome amusement – the interest the houshi had showed toward Sango had been more habit than anything else at first, but as she'd made her place among them as pack-mate, the man had soon found himself more sincerely interested, even if he struggled to show it, much to the miko's bafflement.
How could someone so good at understanding other people could be so bad at expressing his own feelings?
As such it was only Kagome, InuYasha and Tsukiko that went on the road – the young ookami looking quite lonely without her constant four-legged partner, making her friend wince. Seeing Tsukiko without Padfoot was really rare, and she hoped the herbs they'd been told about would be effective quickly, so that the situation was put back to normal as soon as possible...
But of course, the miko realized with a sigh as they stumbled onto the dead body of a young woman whose entrails had been eaten – that was just wishful thinking for they were Shadow's Pack and if something strange was happening anywhere they'd inevitably become involved. Not that she regretted it, it was only natural in her mind to help if they could – it just made for a busy life.
The villagers gathered around the body were all muttering angrily – this was the third body they'd discovered in this state, and apparently they seemed pretty convinced about who was responsible for them...
And it just so happened that the one they held responsible for those murders was Jinenji, a yokai living with his mother on the edge of the village, who owned and kept the medicinal field they'd come for.
"Why would a flesh-eating youkai keep a medicinal garden nearby a human village?" their alpha pointed out as the villagers around them talked "Those that see humans as food don't mingle among them usually."
"You're right." Kagome nodded "This is fishy."
"I'll just follow the scent then!" InuYasha proclaimed "If it's really this Jinenji, the trail should take me to him, if it isn't, I'll find the true culprit."
"Alright. We'll go directly to the medicinal garden." Tsukiko agreed with her beta
With that, the trio split up, InuYasha soon disappearing, following his nose, while the two girls leisurely ambled toward the direction the field was supposed to be.
"Two girls alone shouldn't go there!" a villager tried to protest, before being shut down by another
"Who cares, that's a youkai!"
"But the other looks like a miko doesn't she?"
"What's a miko doing with a youkai?"
¤.¤.¤
Ignoring the bickering that seemed to be the main activity of the villagers, the two girls left – and soon arrived at a small but well kept field that gave off a very faint scent of youki, while a second signature, similar but far more powerful could be felt inside the small house nearby.
A few seconds latter, they were knocking – and being answered by an impossibly old looking woman who glared at them mistrustfully "What do you want?"
"We were told that you were selling medicinal plants." Kagome answered with a smile, not letting herself be browbeaten by the old woman's attitude
"Bah. I thought you were more idiots who let themselves fooled by those damn villagers. As if my Jinenji could eat a human!"
"He most certainly couldn't." Tsukiko nodded with certainty, making her miko friend wonder why she sounded so sure "After all hanyou can't eat humans."
The old woman's eyes widened at that affirmation, aggressively asking "How could you possibly..." then, taking in the ookami hime's appearance, she calmed down "Well I guess a youkai could feel it even without seeing him." with that, she moved out of the doorway, letting them enter
Jinenji was unbelievably ugly, Kagome immediately realized – but the tall, deformed hanyou also had kind eyes, and scars littered his body.
"The villagers have been regularly attacking my boy, and trying to kill him." the old woman explained as she saw the question in her eyes "And Jinenji's too kind to protect himself, too afraid of hurting them..." a sigh "I used to be able to protect him but I'm old now..."
With a resigned shrug she turned toward the field "Anyway, you're not here to listen to an old woman's lamentations, you came for a reason didn't you?"
"We need a cure against miasma." Tsukiko confirmed "And we heard that your son's garden grew a panacea that would work on a large range of poisons..."
Jinenji nodded, looking less skittish now that they were talking about a topic he was comfortable with and quickly gathered the cure they'd came for, explaining that they'd have to boil the herbs for them to work.
"Well, you'd better go now." the hanyou's mother said, roughly but not unkindly "Or you'll became entangled in our problems."
"We're still waiting for my uncle." the wolf princess contradicted lightly "And you need no worry about us..."
The old woman grumbled a bit but didn't protest and soon, Kagome was asking questions about the field to Jinenji, while helping at the same time – that is until she spotted a worm and jumped back with a girlish scream, terrified.
From the bench where she was sitting, talking with the hanyou's mother, her childhood friend couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous situation, while the old woman commented "She's not afraid of my son but has this kind of reaction to such a small thing? This girl is really unique."
"She has always been." Tsukiko smiled – after all even in the modern magical community, Jinenji's appearance would stick out like a sore thumb – but the young miko was much too open-minded to let something like that stop her from making friends
"But then again so are you, it's not everyday I see human and youkai traveling together." the old woman pointed out "It's good to see things are changing..."
"Things will change." the hime confirmed, knowing the old woman was thinking about the way her son was rejected by all "Not right now, but they will." then she stood abruptly, attention caught by something the humans couldn't feel "The villagers are coming." she informed the old woman "And they are agitated."
"Here to try and kill my poor soon once again then." the other commented with a tired sigh, but steel in her eyes "Well not today! Not as long as I live!"
Tsukiko nodded in respect, impressed by the lone human woman who'd spent her life protecting her son – this wasn't something that could be seen everyday, especially in this era where woman were far less respected than men...
Soon, she'd informed Kagome and Jinenji about the incoming visitors – and sure enough, within minutes, they arrived, loudly affirming once again that the hanyou was the culprit for the recent crimes – yet not really brave enough to come close enough, keeping at a safe distance and throwing rocks in their direction.
"This is how you repay our kindness Jinenji? All this time we let you stay here, and you start killing us!"
"Bastard!"
"Kindness?" Kagome finally burst out, the miko loosing her temper now that she was faced with the villagers bullheadedness "You call your comportment kindness! Harassing someone that doesn't defend himself and accusing him of crimes he didn't commit! You are all a bunch of cowards!"
"Ignore the wench, she came with youkai too!"
The young miko gasped – as the next thing thrown wasn't a rock – but flaming arrows, aimed toward the small hut, under the disbelieving eyes of the mother and son.
That was when the wolf hime let go of the control she'd been constantly exercising on her temper for the past few days in order to get used to her new fiery nature...
The scorching aura made the villagers flinch in terror – yet, Kagome realized, neither she nor Jinenji and his mother felt any discomfort from the flames dancing around the youkai, nor was the field hurt. Still, the fire had to be real, as the arrows flying through it were consumed one after the other, leaving the hut unharmed.
"Youkai!" screamed a terrified villager
"Witch!" another added, just as afraid
"Are those supposed to be insults?" the princess wondered idly – after all she was the first, and had been the later
No answer was given – out of fear, just as much as by lack of time, as a giant centipede youkai, looking far less evolved than the one who'd dragged Kagome in the well for the first time, barged behind the villagers, a horde of younger youkai around her "Now my children! Go and hunt!"
With that, the humans panicked, realizing that they had indeed been afraid of the wrong monster – and several would have died here and there, if Kagome, Tsukiko but also Jineji hadn't jumped into the fight, forcing the horde back under their stunned eyes, soon helped by InuYasha "By the time I tracked the smell to their nest," the inu hanyou explained as he arrived "they were already on their way here!"
While it wasn't a hard fight, there were still quite a lot of the newborn creatures with only one obsession in mind: to feast on human flesh – but the true surprise came when it was Jinenji that tackled the mother youkai, saving yet another villager.
Kagome looked ready to rush to help the gentle-hearted hanyou, but both his mother and Tsukiko held her back
"Just watch." the wolf smiled
"But why?" the girl asked, reiki still flooding her weapon
"Because Jinenji is kind, and always had his mother by his side, he's never fought..." Tsukiko answered
Her voice, while calm, could be heard quite clearly, as if the battle sound had died down for her – or rather, Kagome realized, because only Jinenji was left fighting, all the rest of the youkai already beaten...
"And because of that, the villagers forgot that as a hanyou Jinenji was indeed much stronger than them, and decided they could do whatever they want..." her smile grew wicked "Let them see what the hanyou they have picked on for years could have done to them if he so wanted."
With a guttural shout, and using for the first time his monstrous force, the hanyou finished the centipede in front of them with his bare hands, under the wide eyes of the villagers, both terrified out of their mind, and awed. Then the kind boy was turning toward them, handing out herbs for the wounded – and the terror let place to gratefulness, and shame.
Soon in the field humans and youkai were mingling, helping the wounded, while the villagers that hadn't been hurt turned toward the ugly hanyou "We'll help you clear out the field." they said – and while the apologies weren't spoken, they were easily understood
"Do you know why Jinenji looks like that?" Tsukiko asked his mother as he was putting the field back in order
"Well, I always assumed that because he was a hanyou his form was halfway between that of his youkai father and my human one..." a frown "But looking at pretty boy right here," she added glancing at InuYasha "I'd guess this isn't the true answer."
"It both is and isn't." the ookami enigmatically answered, before stating more than ask "I'd wager he was less deformed while younger?"
"He was." the old woman nodded
"The problem is that he was never taught to use or channel his youki." Tsukiko explained "He does channel a bit of his powers in the field, otherwise he'd been overtaken by his youkai blood a long time ago... But what small amount end up in the earth, helping it grows those helpful panacea isn't nearly enough given the amount of power saturating his body."
Seeing that neither mother nor son really understood what the youkai was saying, it was InuYasha that huffed "What the pup's saying is that your kid is way too powerful and need training obaa. Once he learns to control his youki he should be back to a form more like mine."
Both shared a look, not really daring hoping to believe him, and Tsukiko nodded "Precisely. Seeing as Jinenji's father left him such a beautiful field I doubt he abandoned you... So I'd guess he's dead, and that's why he didn't come back himself to train his son, but that's the gist of it: a hanyou must learn to be both human and youkai. And while you managed really well all alone, you're still human, and didn't know anything about the youkai education he needed."
"Is there anything we can do?" Jinenji's mother asked, anxious to give any advantage she could to her son as long as she was alive
"I've got a retainer in Edo working with their local miko." Tsukiko nodded "'I'll talk to both of them. Have Jinenji show there at least twice a month and they'll start him on the basis of meditation and youki control, as well as teach him how youkai society works."
With that her aura flared, subtle enough, that neither the villagers nor the untrained hanyou realized – but neither Kagome nor InuYasha needed the notification to realize what their alpha had just done by mingling briefly her aura with the hanyou...
[Political System updated!
Jinenji (hanyou level 39) has been added as a Shadow Pack retainer: +25XP]
"Still too kind," InuYasha taunted his niece as they made their farewell "Giving away your protection like that."
"He'll soon realize it, and will be a boon to our House and Pack."
"That he will." the hanyou couldn't help but agree "This kind of untamed power isn't frequent, and with a bit of training he'll become a real asset."
"What do you mean?" Kagome wondered, not really seeing what the other two had
"While he's not a fighter Jinenji managed to learn by himself how to imbue his crops with his youki without any training..." her alpha explained "In other words he's got a really good potential to become a skilled herbalist and potioneer, as enhanced plants can be brewed into powerful potions."
"And there aren't a lot of youkai good at these of things. Most are too busy learning to survive, hanyou in particular, to focus on such a skill. But now between his mother's impressive protection during his younger years, and now the House of Moon protection, he'll be able to really grow into his skills."
Kagome nodded thoughtfully – while Tsukiko's move in extending her protection without mother nor son realizing it she had indeed done them a kindness, but one that would benefit her in return in the future, as Jinenji learned more about his gift. She smiled – in the end it seemed like a right choice, as it was to everyone's advantage.
¤.¤.¤
"Bored, bored, bored!" InuYasha's voice, rather lower at first, had increased with each affirmation "It's been weeks and nothing! Not a tiny rumor, not the wisp of a shard!"
"What uncle means by weeks is nearly two weeks," Tsukiko mock-whispered to Shippou "such an uncouth hanyou never learned to stay still more than a few minutes after all."
"I see." the kitsune answered, affecting to taking her words seriously "That explains so much..."
"Hey! Would you two cut it out!" the inu hanyou snapped "You can't say this isn't grating on you nerves too, I've seen you fidget!"
"Well, while it's indeed unsettling not to have heard anything about either the shards or Naraku in nearly fourteen days, you've got to remember he was rather heavily hurt the last time we saw him," his niece reminded him
"Feh. I guess." a shrug "It's just that training is good and all, but everyday spent doing nothing is another day the shards are left sowing chaos out of our view..."
"Of course." the alpha nodded more seriously – InuYasha was right after all
Since their return from Jinenji's village, they had spent their time in Edo, with Kagome taking advantage of the down time by studying intensively both normal and miko course, and spending as much time as she could with her family, just as Tsukiko did – and the whole pack didn't stay idle either, training both individually and in group as soon as Sango, Kirara and Padfoot were better, but the calm wasn't doing anything for their nerves, even if the brash hanyou was expressing it the louder...
"Since traveling around without a clue wasn't doing anything for us I've taken Myouga in." the young wolf princess announced
"Wow," Kagome winced "you must really have been desperate!"
"Well, he clearly dropped the ball where InuYasha-oji-san was concerned, but he did have sound info when Sango's village and Jinenji's field were concerned..." the youkai reluctantly acknowledged "He just came by," she added "and had news!"
Kagome had to repress a snort as both Shippou and InuYasha's ears moved forward, both eager to move out – the kit had been practicing his shape-shifting talents – and making it impossible to miss their canine nature...
"It's raining blood in a village about three days from here." Tsukiko announced, stunning her pack "Blood, and youkai flesh."
"What are we waiting for then?" InuYasha jumped on his feet "Let's go!"
The rest of the pack laughed at his impatience – but soon enough, they'd said their goodbyes and were on the road again, a far healthier Kohaku waiving at them by Kaede and Rouyakan's side.
It took them a couple of days to reach the village Myouga had mentioned, and from there, it was easy enough to follow the miasma of a nearby mountain. There, they found a hole burrowing into the depth of the mountain.
"Normal humans aren't made to resist such miasma." Miroku commented as he got a good feeling of the sheer evilness that permeated from the place "Without our pack-bond most of us would be severely affected."
"The youki of Tsuki-chan, InuYasha and Shippou-chan is protecting us." Kagome understood easily enough thanks to her miko lessons
A protesting mewl.
"And Kirara, sorry."
"Not Padfoot?" Sango couldn't help but comment
"He's got reiki, not youki." Tsukiko corrected absentmindedly, senses more focused on the tunnel they were in
"Right." Sango nodded – because the Grimm looked more like a youkai, she tended to forget that technically he was a powerful holy servant
Soon, they'd reached the end of the tunnel they were in "That's not a mountain!" Kagome realized, eyes widening "That's a sleeping volcano!"
"And there's a barrier." Miroku added, the priest immediately focusing on what seemed more immediately important "A barrier made to trap youkai..." his eyes widened as he realized what was the purpose of the barrier "Kodoku!"
"Er..."
"A giant trap, forcing all the youkai within to fight each other, the winner absorbing the loser's powers." Tsukiko explained somberly " A quick but deadly way to gain power."
"We're... not yet in it, right?" Shippou asked, voice wavering slightly
"Even if we were," their alpha reassured the kit "Our pack bond is stronger than this spell." an amused smile "And Kagome's got more than enough raw power to dispel it, even if she still somewhat lacks control over her gifts, without even talking about Miroku's skills."
While she was saying that, the last fight had ended in the pit, ending in a shower of blood that explained the mysterious bloody rains in the neighboring village, while the victor's form changed as he absorbed the power of the one he'd just finished off.
The barrier, probably disturbed by the presence of the several youkai around shivered, but didn't broke, to the consternation of the last youkai standing. Looking around, he finally spotted the pack "Ah, I see." he laughed "Guess I've got to get rid of you weakling first!"
Ticked, InuYasha would have lost his temper – if not for Tsukiko stopping him "That's not it." she contradicted "The barrier isn't coming down because it wasn't made to."
"What do you mean?"
As if to answer the question, the air pulsed as a new presence was suddenly felt.
"Shikon shards!" Kagome gasped
"Naraku."InuYasha completed "Should have guessed he was the one behind this!"
The rest of the pack nodded, agreeing completely with their beta – ever since they'd learned about his existence, that was the first time so much time had gone by without hearing anything from their enemy, even if it probably was because of his injuries...
As for the evil hanyou – as it was indeed him – he hadn't realized they were present, probably thanks to the concentration of youki present in the volcano and as such was taken by surprise when the pack jumped toward him, taking advantage of the barrier's breaking to attack.
Still – young he may be for a hanyou, Naraku had very good surviving instincts, and as such was moving out of Tessaiga's way before he'd even realized it was there, all the while moving toward the victorious youkai from the kodoku...
"He's looking to absorb it!" Kagome realized, remembering Tsukiko's affirmation that kumo – spider – could take on youkai's powers; with that she rushed toward the youkai, aiming to purify it before their enemy could gain more powers
Realizing her intentions, the hanyou eyes darkened and he grew careless, barely avoiding one of Miroku's attack while trying to get to the youkai faster – the water halberd grazed him, destroying the baboon pelt he was wearing and revealing that his body underneath was more wood than flesh; after all regrowing body parts, while not as impossible for youkai and powerful hanyou as for humans, was still a lengthy process, often spawning years or even decades...
Shippou had swiftly gone to assist Kagome, making Tsukiko smile – their training was clearly paying, the kit clearly already on his way to become the fearsome warrior she knew he would eventually be.
Sango was less used to fight with them, yet was a skilled enough tajiya that she more than made up for it, but she still had trouble keeping a rational mind when it came to the man that had killed so many of her people and family, as such Padfoot was forced to drag her out of one of the man retaliation – giving him the opening he needed to get to his target...
Once the assimilation process had started, there was no stopping it, the wave of power around the hanyou too dense to be pierced – not that that they didn't try, even though it only lasted a couple of seconds.
"I would play with a bit more, the newly reborn hanyou taunted, his youki swirling around him to reform his usual pelt "but I've got other plans on the fire!"
With that he was gone – so fast not even Tsukiko had time to react.
"That bastard!"
While the rest of the pact didn't swear quite as loud as InuYasha – they weren't that far behind, all unsettled by the fact the hanyou had managed to fend them off rather effectively even though he had been injured... and was now not only completely healed, but far more powerful than before, as confirmed by Tsukiko's sharp senses...
It was a pack still feeling the sting of defeat that headed out of the sleeping volcano – not toward Edo, but the East, as they had caught a rumor about several shards there while speaking to the villagers of the village where it had been raining blood that had led them to the kodoku...
After a few days on the trail, Tsukiko's eyes widened – she was feeling a familiar presence. She didn't even have time to open her mouth that in a large cloud of dust and smoke, an old man and a three-eyed ox appeared, Myoga perched on one of the beast's large horns.
¤.¤.¤
"Hu." the shriveled man muttered, suddenly closing by on InuYasha "The brat's supposed to have mastered the Kaze no Kizu, really?"
"Mastered?" the hanyou repeated, before snorting "As if! I don't know why you're believing the annoying tick, old man..." he answered rather honestly, having inferred by Tsukiko rather relaxed stance that she recognized the youkai, and didn't consider him a threat "but I've only managed to learn the first form of that attack!" he completed – something he knew not only thanks to Chaos Game, but also because the countless hours of training were paying enough that he now knew enough about the blade to guess he was only scratching the surface of it's abilities
"Oh?" the youkai raised an impressed eyebrow "I didn't expect such an insight." he admitted "Still, I'm here anyway so draw your sword!"
The hanyou glanced at her alpha – and seeing her nod, easily complied, wondering the hell the newcomer wanted with him – the next moment a long hammer was coming at him, or rather at Tessaiga, and InuYasha was pushed back under most of his pack's surprised eyes.
"The sound hasn't matured yet." the attacking youkai commented idly, jumping out of the way nimbly before catching the now attacking weapon in a large leather clothe "Chipped here and there, and needing a good sharpening but rather well-kept." he noted, surprise visible once more in his eyes
With that he jumped back, and InuYasha stopped his attack as he realized the other had finished his impromptu exam.
"I'm Totosai." he finally introduced himself "And I'm the blacksmith that created your blade."
"Yet I don't think you came just to take a look at you creation, did you?"
"Absolutely! I've come to judge your mastery of Tessaiga! And if you don't pass my test, I'll destroy it myself!" the youkai affirmed calmly
Among the loud reaction of her pack, Tsukiko lack of protest wasn't hard to note – and so they soon turned toward her, wondering about her calm.
"You're not one to destroy your creation without reason." the young hime commented "And mastery of such a weapon as Tessaiga isn't gained in a few weeks or months, it comes with years of use, you know that well... So what kind of test are you talking about, Totosai?"
Finally taking note of the young girl, the old youkai took a look at her – then, eyes zeroing on the blue moon, he jumped back, clearly more out of instinct than anything else
"Ah! The brat reproduced!"
"I told you." Myouga grumbled
"You're senile and couldn't give reliable information about your main charge, why would I believe you!"
"I'm half your age! And I saw InuYasha use the Kaze no Kizu, I didn't lie!"
The argument didn't go further – as Tsukiko eyes suddenly lightened, making her pack guess that there was a newcomer, one they were more familiar with...
Sure enough, a two-headed, serpentine silhouette was soon seen flying toward them – a regal rider jumping to the ground before the beast had even landed.
"Where is my sword Totosai?"
The youkai recoiled under the cold eyes and deadly killing intent, jumping to hide behind a nonplussed InuYasha
"I didn't make one!" he retorted, full of bravado now that there was someone between him and the daiyoukai lord "You've already got one of my creations!"
"And I already told you I've got no use for a sword that doesn't kill!" Sesshoumaru retorted, rather heatedly for all of his usual calm
"While I really don't like chichi-ue's disregard for Tenseiga," Tsukiko chose this moment to comment "I don't see either why you refuse to make a sword for him, after all he's well past the age where you should have made him a coming of age weapon. Same for oji-san."
At that both brothers turned an inquisitive look at the blacksmith – suddenly wondering the same... After all both were adult in regard of youkai tradition, and this was all that was needed before being bestowed a coming of age weapon. Even Tsukiko, with less than a century of age, had one!
Not having expected the question, Totosai stumbled, then after thinking about it, mumbled "Well it's not like he explicitly told me not to tell you..."
Both brother shared a glance, curious now that they realized the old youkai did indeed have a reason.
"Tessaiga and Tenseiga are both powerful blades, that I wouldn't have crafted for anyone else than Inu no Taishou." the blacksmith started "So when I heard he would pass on the blades to his sons, I was naturally cautious." at that he glared at both Inu "You don't seem to realize how dangerous these blades could be in the wrong hands!"
"The power over life and death, cannot be handled by just anyone."
Of course, it was Tsukiko that was heard agreeing, eyes tinged green. Totosai eyes gleamed in interest as he realized this, and finally focused on her aura, understanding in an instant just what she was.
"Indeed, young Seishi-hime." the blacksmith confirmed "But I had underestimated the great dog," he continued, amused "for of course there was a reason behind this legacy. A reason he entrusted to me, along with the fate of the swords. I would judge both brothers, and if they met the criteria set by their father, gain the right to keep the sword, and to have their coming of age weapon."
"So why wait until now?" InuYasha asked "It's been centuries since oyaji died!"
"Well I couldn't well judge a pup, could I?" the blacksmith retorted hotly "But since your brother decided you deserved these," he added pointing at the hanyou's pack mark "And you've managed the Kaze no Kizu, be it it's basic form, then between that, and the other brother's insistence I make him a blade, I really couldn't push it back anymore!"
"Well then get on with it!" the hanyou huffed, false bravado trying to hide the unease at the prospect of loosing his father's heirloom – and at the same time, excitement at the idea that said test had been left behind by said father's too
Sesshoumaru, if not verbalizing it, seemed to convey the same demand with his eyes.
The blacksmith eyed the two brothers speculatively, then with a huff nodded "I will, I guess." his tone changed " But beware, even if you gain my approval today, you are both clearly quite far from having mastered their full potential!"
"Keh! Of course we know that much!" InuYasha retorted for the two of them – and once more his elder seemed to agreed, making Tsukiko muse that it probably was the first time both of them had been so much on the same wavelength
Totosai nodded, apparently satisfied with the answer – then after a moment of silence commented "Well get on with it, brats! Fight!"
"Er... aren't you the one supposed to test them?" Kagome pointed out, everyone around her just as bewildered by the sudden exigence
"Bah! Don't talk nonsense, child, I'm a blacksmith, not a fighter!"
"I guess it is as good an occasion to test your progress as any other." Sesshoumaru commented in his usual idle tone, whole demeanor suddenly changing
"Keh! Don't underestimate me!" InuYasha retorted with a feral smile
"Oh, but I don't little brother." the elder inu affirmed as he rushed toward him
The hanyou barely dodged the attack, but was immediately rushing back into the fight, dismissing with but a thought the notification that had just popped in Chaos Interface
[Event LV150! Once more into the breach...
Goal: Survive Sesshoumaru's "Improvement Test" alone
Bonus goal: gain Totosai approval
Reward: +50XP , +1 Beginner Fighting Skill Tome upon completion
Bonus Reward: +100XP, unlocks Totosai's Sharpening Perk (Tessaiga evolve into a leveling item) upon completion]
"No fair!" Tsukiko complained as the two brothers battled "How come they get to have fun!"
"Your definition of fun is really twisted, Tsuki-chan." Kagome commented with an incredulous look "Trying to maim each other isn't supposed to be fun!"
"Anyway," interrupted the old blacksmith, eyes focusing on both girl at the same time "How is it that I can feel both of you possessing my work when I've never seen you before, little goddess, little miko?"
"We're time-travelers." answered bluntly the ookami, making her friend sweat-drop at the casual way she was dropping such an unexpected answer
Or not that unexpected maybe, as the blacksmith only mumbled a thoughtful "Of course!" in answer all the while continuing to watch the two brothers fight.
Or rather Sesshoumaru play around with a barely holding on InuYasha.
Still, the hanyou had clearly improved as he was now managing to survive alone what they'd barely managed as a pack a few weeks before, Kagome noted – Miroku, by her side clearly coming to the same conclusion, if she was hearing correctly what he was explaining Sango.
As for their alpha – the young girl was now lazily propped on one of the lower branches of a nearby tree, Padfoot lying by her side. Kagome did a double take – they sighed as she confirmed, if only to herself, that yes, Padfoot really had somehow climbed a tree to sleep in it... what kind of dog, even a holy one, did that? Tsukiko didn't see a problem with the situation as she was watching father and uncle fight, as one would watch a match on TV, popcorn in hands – the young miko wondered if abusing her Inventory to stash sweets shouldn't go against some kind of holy law, but it clearly didn't seem to be the case...
A powered down Kaze no Kizu finally gave InuYasha the advantage long enough to from him to manage to land a hit on his brother, the inu youkai forced to jump out of the way of the attack, that even when not full-blown still was dangerous, only be grazed at the hip by his brother's claws, the hanyou having ducked low to surprise him.
"I've seen what I want." Totosai announced as both brother were jumping back to prepare their next attack
Both turned toward him, head tilted in the same canine motion, And Totosai announced "Sesshoumaru-sama, " a small frown "I don't really understand why but you've recently gained some small measure of approval from the Tenseiga." the inu youkai eyes lit in surprise at that affirmation "Prove to me that she's right, master her first ability, and I'll make you a coming of age weapon worthy of a lord." he promised before turning toward the hanyou "As for you, you're soft." he affirmed, then went on stopping any protest before it could be verbalized "So I'll sharpen that blade for you."
"Eh?"
"Tessaiga is way too dangerous a weapon to be given to any blood-thirsty youkai! While she fights for you, I know that the Kaze no Kizu wont be cut without reason." he concluded with a smile
[Goal complete! +50XP, +1 Beginner Fighting Skill Tome
Bonus goal complete! +100XP, Totosai's Sharpening Perk (Tessaiga evolve into a leveling item) unlocked]
[locked-weapon Tessaiga(LV100: +300Damage / +1000HP) evolve into leveling-weapon Tessaiga (LV1: +3 St, +10 damage, +1 Air damage, +1 Enhancement space)]
[Inu no Taishou's Protection Enhancement used on Tessaiga (LV1)!
+1000HP]
[Level up! Tessaiga is now level 101!
+30 St, +198 damage, +16 Air damage, +1 Enhancement space]
InuYasha's eyes widened as he received back Tessaiga – the difference barely noticeable to the naked eye, as it did indeed look that the blacksmith had only cleaned and sharpened it – but the power he felt in the blade far different from before, something that didn't escape the rest of the pack and the inu youkai as all gazed appreciatively at the blade.
Job done, Totosai disappeared as swiftly as he had appeared.
¤.¤.¤
"My lord! You're not following him?"
As the annoying voice echoed, the pack finally realized that Sesshoumaru's retainer had indeed been there all along, hidden behind his mount – the youkai eyed him with disdain "Why should I do something that useless?" he rhetorically asked before finally ignoring him again, turning toward InuYasha "You've improved." he noted "Good." he added, before dismissing his brother too, to head toward his daughter, under the half bemused half amused eyes of said brother, who still couldn't believe his seemingly cold brother had changed that fast when it came to the child-goddess he'd only seen two times
"Musume."
The young ookami eyes warmed as always when her father was around, but she kept herself to the traditional answer, bowing her greetings in return "Chichi-ue."
"Your pack has grown yet again." the inu remarked
"We travel a lot." she answered as only explanation
"You've met that hanyou again." he affirmed rather than asked
"He may not be all that powerful for a grown daiyoukai, he's still dangerous." Tsukiko said, as always understanding in the short sentence all her father wanted to know "He hates oji-san, has cursed Miroku-san and killed most of Sango-chan's people. And he is also after the shards."
"The lords have decided that a hanyou couldn't be a danger to our society." her father announced, disgust rather clear in his tone – informing her in one go both that the hanyou was sowing enough trouble that the Cardinal Lords had to discuss whether to decreed him an enemy of all youkai, and that the negative result of the vote wasn't his doing
She sighed – in this era, her father was just beginning to get respect from the three other lords, who would never have dismissed his opinion so easily in her own time, and the powerful albeit young daiyoukai clearly despised the situation.
"You don't usually take Ah-Un out for short patrols." Tsukiko noted as they had wandered toward the two-headed dragon, that was purring under her ministrations
"The lord of the East is not as stupid as the two others." Sesshoumaru stated bluntly "We're having a talk about an alliance against the nuisance."
"But you can't kill him because of the Lord Decree, can't you?"
"Nothing in that forbids us from protecting our territory."
She smiled – seems that even as young and still power-obsessed, her father already took his duties as a Lord seriously enough that he would go out of his way to protect his people.
"We're heading East too." she pointed out
Her father smiled lightly, catching on her unvoiced invitation and accepting it the same way "Jaken, head out with Ah-Un, we'll meet up there."
"But my lord..." the small kappa started protesting – before stopping just as fast at the cold glare turned toward him
"Feh!" was InuYasha's only reaction when he realized the pack was taking the road again – Sesshoumaru walking by his daughter's side mostly silent as the girl effortlessly erased the pack natural wariness toward the daiyoukai by making all of them caught up in yet another one of her oral lesson, this time pointing out the difference in knowledge about youkai between holy servants and tajiya and comparing them to the actual facts about them – even managing to have the daiyoukai himself explain a few things.
Three days later, as they were approaching the region from where the shards rumors originated from, both white-haired daiyoukai attention's was suddenly grabbed – InuYasha and Shippou catching on but a heartbeat later...
"Blood!" the kit was the one to announce to the three humans of the group
"And a shard... But it's fading fast... and its gone!" noted Kagome
"There's also youki headed our way, but it's rather faint." Tsukiko noted – without concerting each other, the pack started to move faster, Kagome getting on Padfoot's back while Sango and Miroku both went with Kirara
Now going faster, they soon were at the outskirt of a small town, the smell of blood now so over-powering even the humans could feel it...
"the wolf-tribe beasts pack have been feasting." Sesshoumaru identified with disdain easy to hear in his voice
"On humans?" couldn't but whisper feebly Kagome "I knew some youkai did it but still..."
"Seeing it is different." nodded Tsukiko, already by her friend side to comfort her – Shippou also jumping on the young miko's shoulder
InuYasha and Sesshoumaru shared a glance, the two brothers the only ones to realize the young daiyoukai was comforting herself just as much her friend "All species cohabit in the future." the hanyou realized yet again – he had understood it meant peace with the holy being, and acceptance for the hanyou – it also meant human eating species must have either changed their way, or died out he now added to his understanding of the future
The Lord of the West understood just as fast as him – just as the pack stumbled on the first wolf youkai, the beasts not wasting a second in fleeing at the sight of the daiyoukai cold glare, leaving behind their latest victim without having had the time to make a meal out of the little girl.
"So young..." Kagome whispered, trying to restrain a sob
"Too young." Tsukiko echoed, and even if she wasn't crying, contrary to the miko, she was just as shaken, just like the rest of the pack
Used to it the part of the pack that was from this era might be, it didn't make seeing young children dead any easier.
Even the cold daiyoukai couldn't help but let a hint of pity seep into his eyes as he approached the body that wasn't even cold – given what he knew about human child, she was about just as old as his own daughter or the kit that traveled with her pack, and the mark of a beating that couldn't have been dished out by the wolves was still visible under the bites that had ended her short life...
Sesshoumaru nearly didn't realize that Tenseiga was pulsing by his side, until he suddenly was seeing several small green oni all armed with long weapon.
"Pall-bearer." Tsukiko, who'd come to his side when she felt the Tenseiga, whispered "The servants of death charged with taking the souls of the dead back to the netherworld in this era..." she explained softly
She hadn't finished talking that Tenseiga had already slid out of it's sheath, and been put to use for the first time by her father.
The four little servants disappeared under the sword, directly propelled out of the living world – and a heart started beating again...
"Well," Tsukiko noted with a smile both amused and softly approving "Seems to me like you've gained a ward."
At that, the little girl opened her eyes, and somehow they shone with awe "You've sent them away! They were taking me away, and then they left!"
The young ookami eyebrow shot up at the candid affirmation, that could only mean one thing – the little child remembered her brief time dead, something that in turn could only mean one thing...
"And a powerful little miko at that." she added to her previous comment
"We should follow the trail of the wolves." InuYasha said, interrupting, as loathe as he was to, the cute scene "They're probably the ones with the shard, and if this is the result each time they eat..."
"You're right." the alpha nodded, duty at the forefront of her mind once more "Well, I guess this is where our road part."
"For now, musume." the lord nodded, before eyeing dubiously the little human girl that was apparently now his ward
"Rin's name is Rin!" she announced "Rin can walk!"
"She'll be weak for a few days." Tsukiko contradicted, reminding her father "Humans aren't as resilient as us." the daiyoukai nodded, understanding that she knew far more about the topic than him – and he couldn't let the child die from simple neglect now that she was his to protect, he'd have to observe a bit how humans acted with their offspring "For now let her mount Padfoot until you meet back with Ah-Un."
With that the pack was on his way, while the daiyoukai was heading his own way, Padfoot and Rin with him.
"She looks like you." the little girl was already chattering innocently "She is beautiful, like an angel! And she was even shinning when I was going away, it made me a lot less afraid than the ugly imps!"
Sesshoumaru, even if he didn't outwardly react to the affirmation did take note of it – he had already known that his future daughter held the touch of death in her aura, and had witnessed her kindness with the mu onna, but apparently even the little girl had felt, if not understood, what she truly was...
Then his mind went back to what his daughter had said – he'd have to train the young miko before she became dangerous; at least he now knew that holy being didn't have to be trained to only harm youkai, Kagome and his own daughter were clear proof of it.
Even if he didn't know how to do it, it couldn't be that complicated – he'd learned to master both his spiritual and physical powers when younger before learning the more advanced uses of youki, and reiki was just a special kind of spiritual powers...
Oblivious to the hellish training regimen that was profiling itself in her horizon, Rin was chatting away, now talking to Padfoot, even thought he couldn't verbally answer, since Sesshoumaru didn't seem to like talking too much.
As for the Grimm, he was restraining a whine.
She wasn't a bad kid – but gods knew she could talk a few miles an hour...
¤.¤.¤
Meanwhile, Shadow's Pack had pick up the pace yet again, rushing on the trail of the beasts that had been scared away by Sesshoumaru – Kagome soon feeling yet again the Shikon shards she had earlier, proving they were on the right trail...
And finally – they caught up with the wolves, a lot less afraid now that Sesshoumaru wasn't there to scare them away with a glare. Of course, Kagome realized faintly as Sango swung her Hiraikotsu, their alpha probably could have done the same, but then they'd never caught up with the shards still moving much faster than a normal youkai. Within minutes, the beasts were realizing that they may have tried to chew on something too big for them, and with a long howl, were calling help to them.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing!"
The new-comer was looking rather wild for a daiyoukai, the young miko noted, wearing furs and speaking just as coarsely as their own beta, with whom he was already butting head...
"Wolf tribe youkai aren't daiyoukai," Tsukiko contradicted her lightly, as if reading her mind "They are one of the few youkai species born looking humans, but live in symbiosis with their wolves, and share the same instincts as them."
"Oh. So they're not ookami like you?"
"They're not." Shippou confirmed "True ookami are really rare." he explained, remembering his own father's lessons "It's just like the difference between youko and us kitsune..."
Kagome would have asked more about it – but the two strong-headed male that had been verbally assaulting each other until now were now preparing to attack each other, youki swirling around.
The wolf-tribe youkai was rather good at that, they soon noted, as they realized he was swift enough to avoid InuYasha's attacks – the young miko focused on him, trying to pinpoint where the usual feeling associated with the shards was coming from...
"He's got three untainted shards!" she announced, clearly surprised " Two in his legs, and one in his right arm!"
"How can his shards be untainted?" Sango protested "He eats humans!"
"Ah but Tsuki-hime just told us, didn't she... He follows his instincts, so he doesn't eat humans as an evil act, he just doesn't see us as anything but food." Miroku was the one to explain
"In other words, he doesn't know better." Shippou pointed out "He may look human, you've got to think about it as if he was a powerful beast youkai, just another of the wolves."
As for said youkai – his eyes widened as InuYasha started to focus on his blade – and just as the hanyou would have released the Kaze no Kizu, he jumped back, wolves following suit "That smelled really dangerous!" he commented, before letting out a sharp howl "Let's fall back for now!"
"I can't believe he just ran away!" InuYasha growled loudly
"More to the point... He smelled how dangerous your Kaze no Kizu was, that's some sharp senses and survival instincts!" Miroku pointed out "Getting to these shards could be more complicated than expected..."
With that, they were back on the wolves' trail, that was heading into the mountains depth.
"There's a new youki present." Shippou soon pointed out, the beta having missed it because he was too focused of the trail
"And a more evil feeling to it." added Kagome "Shards that are corrupted this time." she completed with a frown
[Secondary quest! A pack's fate...
Goal: follow the wolves trail
Reward: +25XP per goal, +1 Enhancement Stone upon completion]
"Well, guess there must be more to it than we know..." Kagome commented as the new quest appeared
"Tch. What the fuck could be so interesting about this nuisance!" the hanyou protested immediately
"Wow, InuYasha's really annoyed at the wolf." Shippou laughed
"Well he did call oji-san a dog-turd." the alpha pointed out, clearly amused "I think the two must be too similar to like each other."
"Now that you've said it..." Kagome mused "The two are just as brash and loud-mouthed... and he must be just as bad as InuYasha used to be with feeling out youki that isn't aiming at harming him...I mean he didn't even acknowledged Tsuki-chan's presence, and she's clearly the most powerful among us!"
"We're catching up with them." InuYasha interrupted, before adding with a frown "But it's not logical, they've slowed down."
"'But we're in the middle of nowhere!" Shippou protested
"Exactly." the beta confirmed, noses still twitching "And now they've split up. That confirms it then..."
"A trap." Sango completed, weapon now at the ready
"But what for?" Kagome wondered as they approached the few wolves that they'd caught up with
"Only one way to know!" the young kitsune said with an amused smile
"Spring the trap!" the beta confirmed, Tessaiga once more at the ready
Kagome sighed as she realized that – of course – Tsukiko wholeheartedly agreed, and even Sango...
"We're the only two voice of reason in this whole pack, aren't we, Miroku-san?" she couldn't help but comment
A loud mewl of protest later "And you too of course, Kirara." the cat let out a contented purr at the confirmation before shifting to it's larger form, all claws out
"Kirara is right," nodded Miroku, water starting to appear around him "there's no helping it..."
The young priestess smiled, and got her weapon out too. She may have preferred a more pacifist approach, she would still stand by her pack's side.
Moments later, the fight was on – and just as predicted, an ambush.
"They're trying to get Kagome isolated!" Miroku was the first on to understand
"Well, let's give them what they want then." the girl suggested, under the loud protests of her pack "This way, we'll know why they want me. It's not like I'll be helpless, if worst come to worst I'll be able to hold a barrier until you come and get me."
"Kagome-chan is right." Tsukiko was the one to admit, even if she clearly didn't like the plan any more than her beta
[Goal complete! +25XP
Goal update: find the wolves' lair
Bonus goal complete! +50XP
you've sprung the trap
Bonus goal update: return the trap against it's maker]
With that, the pack was soon discretely letting itself be herded in different direction, getting slowly but surely separated from the young miko – who then feigned stumbling, only to be swiftly snatched by the youkai from earlier.
"Well," Tsukiko stated rather coldly, as the pack stopped holding back "lets follow."
Within moments the wolves that had been left behind to hinder them were dispatched, and they were following the trail left by Shippou, who'd gone right after Kagome.
Soon enough, they were by a waterfall.
"This is the wolf-tribe's lair." the young kitsune announced "I couldn't get in without being sensed."
As for Kagome – alone in the foreign pack's lair, she wasn't too afraid.
The wolves, human-looking or not, had all been surprised when she'd shown up with her kidnapper – apparently, the young wolf was called Kouga, and the next alpha to be of the pack from what she was hearing around.
Without surprise, their first reflex had been to see her as food – but Kouga had soon dissuaded them, finally explaining what she wanted with her. In retrospective, it should have been quite obvious...
It was her ability to sense the shards that he wanted.
On their way to the lair, they'd been attacked by a flock of half-human looking bird youkai he'd called the Gokuraku-chou – and apparently this was an enemy youkai tribe, whose leader was empowered by Shikon shards, and who was making use of said shards to wilt down the wolf pack, thus making Kouga hunt shards of his own to protect his pack.
Of course, he didn't say it in that many words – but Kagome had grown rather used to interpret the few grumbles of another canine youkai and as such managed to infer as much rather easily.
Now, looking around the large cave – she could see that the wolves weren't in a good shape, quite a few of them visibly hurt, and some of them looking rather underfed...
"With your ability to see the shards, we can attack their nest, and take their boss' shards!" Kouga affirmed loudly "This way we'll beat him and they won't be able to eat anymore of us!"
[Goal complete! +25XP
Goal update: confront the wolf-tribe pack
Bonus goal complete! +50XP
Bonus goal update: learn why Kouga abducted Kagome]
[Bonus goal complete! +50XP]
With a smile at the notifications flashing on her interface, Kagome realized that her pack must be just beside the waterfall - as for Kouga, seeing her smile, he was suddenly observing her "Come to think of it... you're rather cute! That's it, you'll be my woman!"
"But Kouga," a nearby wolf protested "she's human!"
"And more importantly," a sweet, calm, and deadly dangerous voice added "she's part of my pack and there's no way I'm giving her to you against her own will."
Kouga jumped back, ready to fight, facing the unknown voice.
"Who are you!" he loudly demanded
"Need I really say it?" Tsukiko wondered lightly
A new voice echoed – weak with sickness yet clearly used to be obeyed "Stand down, Kouga."
"But, alpha..."
The old wolf that was laboriously getting up did indeed wear the same mark as Tsukiko.
That was when Kagome realized – that most of the injured were the ones wearing pack mark, and the one still up around her didn't have them. Used as she was to human standard she hadn't realized up until then that it meant that most of those up and about around her were all kids in the eyes of youkai...
"I didn't know the pup had an heir," the old wolf was commenting, "but there's no mistaking this aura, young alpha."
"Your son is powerful, but way too brash. I doubt you didn't teach him not to poach other packs."
"Kouga," the old alpha sighed at that "she's right."
"But... she's human! Humans aren't pack, they're food!"
"We may have been reduce to eating them because of starvation, you should well know this weren't always our ways." the old alpha contradicted "And human or not she clearly bears the smell of the House of Moon!"
Around them, Shadow's pack could hear mutters – some agreeing, other visibly discontent about the reminder. With an injured alpha, this pack was clearly falling apart, despite the young wolf effort to keep them together.
"But if I claim her for our pack..."
This time, Kagome had enough of the protest – and she stepped back from the wolf, reiki spiking just enough let a burnt mark but not harm him anymore.
"That's enough! Didn't you hear one word of my alpha? Or worse, yours?" she asked – she maybe kind, and rather tolerant, it didn't mean she would let herself be treated like a possession to be claimed by a misogynist idiot
A new fire was lit in the wolf's eyes.
"Oh my," Shippou muttered "he's a masochist idiot..."
As if to confirm the kit's words, Kouga was stepping toward her once more, now pleading "Please be my woman!"
"She just said no!" InuYasha protested
With that – both were once more insulting the other under both packs bemused eyes.
"Well, lets talk while the idiots are busy." Tsukiko sighed, turning her attention back to the old alpha
"What can my pack do for you?" the old wolf asked "Despite how inadvertent it was, we did poach one of your member, no matter how temporary it was."
¤.¤.¤
Tsukiko sighed "The only thing we're after I doubt you'd relinquish."
"The shards." the old alpha understood easily enough, a glint of surprise still visible in his eyes "Still I didn't think you'd bother with them."
"This," she said pointing at Kagome who, rather than keep listening to InuYasha and Kouga was heading toward the injured "is the Shikon no miko."
Understanding lightened in the old wolf's eyes.
"If it was only me I'd give you the blasted things." his eyes darkened "They bring nothing but discord, even among mine."
"But you can't afford to as long as you're hunted." the younger alpha concluded easily enough, before shrugging "If we take care of the Gokuraku-chou's leader, will you relinquish them?"
"We will."
The affirmation was somehow heard by his son despite the ongoing argument with InuYasha.
"You can't mean that, oyaji!" he protested
"I told you I didn't approve when you took them." harshly reminded him his father "These things are dangerous!"
"All bark and no bite eh." added InuYasha with a smirk "All this talk about beating me up yet you need these things to add to your own power? Pathetic!"
With that – the two were at each others throat again.
But somehow, the two alpha noted, InuYasha's comment seemed to have been heard, it could be seen in the young wolf's behavior.
Then, awed whispers were heard from where Kagome had wandered to – and the old alpha was just as awed as his pack to realize that the miko had healed several of his tribesmen...
"She can't help herself, eh," Sango commented with an amused smile "she may fight with us, she's really a healer at heart."
"Well," the wolf alpha said with a smile "this is something I hadn't though to see in my lifetime, a miko healing youkai... We tried to take one of yours and you're repaying us by saving us..."
As for Kouga – he was falling in love with Kagome all over "See! This girl, human she may be... This girl has what it takes to be a mate worthy of an alpha! Worthy of me!"
"Kagome will be a good female alpha," Tsukiko nodded, earning surprised glance from all her pack, before adding "but as for you being an alpha... Start by earning your stripes, pup."
The remark made InuYasha burst out laughing, but this time he managed not to let himself being taunted once more by the wolf, as his alpha, with a glance, had called him to her side "Kagome will be tired by so much healing." she was soon saying "so I guess for once I can be the one telling you where to strike." and toward her fellow alpha "If you could spare one wolf to point us at the birds?"
"Kouga." the alpha gaze was hard as he stared at his son "Go with them, and behave."
The wolf looked ready to protest – then after a glance at the now focused InuYasha, nodded "I won't disappoint you, alpha." he affirmed
Tsukiko smiled at that – brash and loudmouthed he maybe, she could clearly see the potential to be a great alpha in him.
"Shippou, Miroku."
"We'll stay with Kagome-sama." the monk nodded, guessing at her intent, while Sango marched toward InuYasha and her
"As for us..." a feral smile, quite impressive for a human "Let's hunt." the tajiya stated
[Goal complete! +25XP
Goal update: defeat Gokuraku-chou's leader
Bonus goal complete!+50XP
you've healed the wolves]
With that, they were off.
"You want to ask something." Tsukiko soon noted at the puzzled expression on the wolf's face
"You aren't afraid of leaving them with youkai?" he finally blurted "You all know we eat humans, yet she healed us, and you let her!"
"Your alpha won't let them come to harm." the young ookami answered easily
"And the three of them aren't weak enough that they'd be beaten. Your best warriors may be healed, they'll still need some rest, and the rest are but brats." added InuYasha with a shrug
"And mistaking Miroku-sama and Kagome-sama's kindness for weakness would be foolish." Sango added her own opinion "Both are powerful holy servants, they may prefer healing, they are still able to kill if need be. Even Shippou, as young as he is, has been forced to learn to fight."
The wolf nodded rather thoughtfully, then his eyes hardened "Here it is," he said, pointing at a tall peak "The Gokuraku-chou's lair."
The half-human birds had seen their approach, thanks to the clear viewpoint their lair gave them, and as such quite a few of them were already rushing toward them, only to be met seamlessly by Sango's hiraikotsu, Kirara right behind her, soon followed by InuYasha and Tsukiko's blades.
Taking a second to admire the perfect teamwork of the patchwork pack, Kouga wasn't far behind them, not wanting strangers to do all the hard work to save his clan.
Wave after wave of birds weren't enough to stop them, Kouga noted – and what a strange change it was for him not to be the uncontested strongest of the fighters!
InuYasha, as loath as he was to admit, was just as good as him – without shards – and his Kaze no Kizu truly dangerous, even the human female was far stronger than he'd ever seen a human, a clear and proud member of the strange pack.
As for the young alpha...
The wolf was still wondering how the hell he'd been obtuse enough not to realize what kind of powers she held during their first encounter, to focus only on her beta...
Then, the leader of the birds appeared right in front of them – easily twice as big as the rest of the small fries, and with two fraternal brothers sharing the bird's body "How kind of you to bring your shards to us, wolf-tribe brat!" the left one laughed
"And with those, we'll finally be able to finish off you furry nuisances!" the right one added, laughing
Kouga saw red at that, and jump toward the large youkai – realizing too late it was exactly what it had been aiming at as it's large mouth bit at his arm. Jumping back, the wolf managed to save his arm, but not the shard that had been embedded in it.
"Funny how weaklings seems to think that a bit of ill-gained power will suddenly make them able to play with the big guys." Tsukiko commented idly as she jumped toward the large youkai, landing right between the two brothers
And beheading the two of them in a motion so swift Kouga could barely see it...
With that said, she landed lightly on the ground just as the now dead leaders of the birds fell out of the sky, and stepped inside the large mouth with a small frown of distaste, grabbing the shard that had just been stolen, and the other two that were embedded not too far.
[Secondary quest complete! +25XP
Reward: +25XP per goal, +1 Enhancement Stone to be chosen]
Kouga gaped.
The remaining Gokuraku-chou fled.
"Yeah, seeing her get serious does that." InuYasha nodded sagely at the wolf's reaction, not even mocking him
"What is she..." the wolf couldn't help but whisper in wonder
"A true-born daiyoukai." the hanyou pointed out, before adding "But most of all, someone who relies on her own powers."
The wolf understood the not so discreet barb, and his eyes traveled to two remaining shards on his legs.
¤.¤.¤
"You don't need those now." InuYasha pointed out "And they'll stop hampering your progress."
With a swift move of his claws, Kouga took the two Shikon shards out, resolutely vowing "I'll be the fastest even without them."
"You will." Tsukiko confirmed as she accepted the two small crystalline shards
With that said, they were heading back to the wolves' lair, where the rest of their pack was waiting for them.
"Tsuki-chan!" Kagome was calling as soon as they entered the cave
The girl didn't take long to realize what was distressing her friend – as Padfoot, who after leaving Rin and Sesshoumaru had gone up to met with the second half of the pack, was whining at a small, newborn pup...
"The mother was too weak to survive," Kagome explained "and most of the pups were still-born," she added with eyes shinning with tears "but this one, he isn't dead yet!" she protested, before admitting "But I can't heal him..."
"Death is a part of life, child." the old alpha wolf tried to comfort the miko
"I know!" she affirmed, yet her eyes were still trailed on the small, weak form Padfoot was trying to keep warm "I know..." she repeated, trying to convince herself that she should know better than anyone, after all, wasn't her best friend a goddess of death herself? "But still..." she protested weakly, seeing such a small life already ending wrenching her heart
Tsukiko barely registered that yet again, her eyes were bleeding into green as she focused of the small life ending.
While sad – there was no helping it, the pup had not been meant to live...
But Kagome's pleading eyes were making the goddess wonder, and so she eyed the young priestess speculatively. The wolf wouldn't live as he was now, but there was a way to give him a new life, yet Kagome wasn't the right person for this.
Her eyes turned further, toward the other holy servant present. Miroku on the other hand – she smiled, as she realized that yes, the priest was someone that could do it.
"Miroku."
The priest gaze snapped toward her, catching on the otherworldly nature her tone had unwittingly gained, and understanding what she was going to ask was important.
"Yes, alpha?"
"Will you become my priest? Uphold the balance between life and death, fight against those that seek to cheat death and help those that work to maintain balance in the world?"
His eyes darted to the pup, and she smiled – knowing that the intelligent man had understood what she meant to do.
"If you make him mine, he'll die with me from the kazaana." he couldn't help but protest
"Your life was never meant to end with a curse Miroku. I won't let you be taken by that cursed hand." the young goddess swore, repeating to the priest what she'd already swore to his master
"Then I'll be yours, Shadow." another glance at the pup, and he corrected himself "We'll be yours."
"Thank you."
Power surged, a new notification appearing on Chaos Interface notifying Miroku that he was now Otherworldly Attuned, then, as the powers took hold of the dying pup – who disappeared in a swirl of shadows only to reappear, reborn thanks to the holy powers, that he'd gained a holy familiar...
[Holy System updated!
Miroku(priest LV 91) has been added to the holy servants
?(shadow wolf, Miroku's familiar LV1) has been added to the holy servants]
[Hallows skill reached rank 55!]
[Magic Art affinity reached 10/25]
Tsukiko carefully didn't react as she saw the holy skill progress for the first time in this life – but silently noted that she felt far less spent that she used to be in her previous life when using powers that weren't meant for the Mortal Realms.
Kagome happy eyes when she realized the pup would live made it worth it.
"Feh. Still too kind, stupid brat." teased InuYasha, yet eyes following the new addition to their pack with a small smile
"I don't see what you mean." she protested automatically "In the end, I'm the one who gained two servants."
"At your own health's detriment." her uncle pointed out "You're tired, alpha."
"That's nothing compared to how bad it used to be." she admitted "I just need a bit of rest."
"Well, that settles it then," the beta decided "Old alpha, we're spending the night." he declared to the old wolf
"You're welcome to it." said wolf answered without any hesitation – and really, how could he refuse them after all they'd done for his pack and realizing just what the young alpha really was?