Hi! So we are entering the last part of the story :-)
Chapter XIX. The Last Shard
Sesshoumaru had split with them as they left Nikko's area, but not before commenting to his daughter "Your beta has progressed. But if he wants to grow more, right now, he'll need training. Take him to Yourei Taisei."
The ookami hime had been stunned at what was as good as any praise coming from her father, and InuYasha himself, while he didn't know whom the daiyoukai was talking about, had been rather surprised at the change of teaching method – which was explained by Tsukiko a moment later "Chichi-ue is saying that you're ready to follow the training taken by the generals of the House of Moon. You're not a child he has to help grow up anymore."
Her fingers ghosted lightly the pack-mate mark under her uncle's eyes "He's saying, and I do agree, that should you chose to you're more than ready to ask and be given the mark of an alpha, to go and make your own pack."
And the only one surprised at this affirmation was the inu himself – after all, the rest of the pack, just like Sesshoumaru, had seen their beta rise to the task and take care of them while their alpha was unconscious, then weakened from her exploits.
He'd grown and changed a lot, since he'd been awakened from the Goshinboku, even more than all of them, gaining for the first time in his life recognition among youkai society despite his status as a hanyou, and having finally been given his rightful place among the House of Moon – not also that, but among humans too he'd changed, now conscious of the difference between them, able to take their need into account when the pack was traveling and more accepting of his own emotions and feelings as a part of him rather than a weakness to be hidden and erased...
InuYasha was now at peace with himself, knowing and understanding that as a hanyou he was part of both human and youkai world, and not shunning any part of himself any more.
And proving once more his maturity, the light of excitement in his eyes was soon contained, as reason took over once more "Training is good and all... But can we really afford to with the mad beasts unleashed by Naraku going around killing everything in sight?"
Tsukiko glanced at her beta approvingly, then announced "Padfoot can take you there and back while we hunt if you want." a teasing smile "You'll just have to learn fast enough to catch up with us before we deal with Naraku's latest shenanigans if you don't want to miss on the action!" then, turning toward Kanna "And we will take care of your sister before the end of the year, I promise you."
"How will you proceed?" Ryoichi wondered "When you linked Chrome to Mokuro's life, the two had nearly identical Mist Flames, and I doubt Kagura has those..."
"I've adapted the ritual once more." Tsukiko explained "I mean, after the months of research I did on it in Hagaren, it would be a shame not to have learn to adapt it! It'll use their youki..."
"And as siblings, it will be similar enough." the assassin understood – while never having been a wizard, he'd seen and learned enough about rituals by now to understand a bit about what she was planning "Are you planning to use a holy day?"
"I'm aiming for Yule." she nodded with a smile "All Hallow Eve would have been great but since it has already gone by..." then toward the holy servants "And I'll walk all of your through the ritual's basis and variations, so that we'll all be ready if needed ."
The three nodded, not needing to be told that the need in that case was should Naraku try to get rid of Kagura before Yule – and as she lectured them, they realized that the ritual was possible indeed at any another date, it was clearly the day when it would work the best, not that they had doubted it, knowing that Tsukiko wouldn't be leaving Kagura suffer under Naraku's power needlessly.
And so, with Tsukiko's reassurance that the pack was well enough to protect themselves on the way to Edo, a region where few would dare attack them, InuYasha left them, following Padfoot as the Grimm slipped in and out of the shadows – soon arriving to a small human village.
"You're sure this is it?"
A low growl "Yes, I do realize there's the feeling of a powerful youki it just doesn't look like the living place of a powerful warrior!"
With a huff Padfoot bumped the hanyou down the small bridge they were on – and indeed, the feeling of youki was coming from a small hut under the bridge. A hut from which a call for help was coming...
[Secondary Quest! Teachings of a spirit...
Goal: Find Yourei Tasei's missing youki
Reward: +50XP, +1 enhancement stone to be chosen]
Not needing any more invitation, InuYasha rushed in – and realized that he'd entered some kind of ward, as the hut's interior was a large colorful field rather surprising for the season, with a simple traditional temple in the middle of it.
Not letting surprise get the best of him, he headed for the temple soon finding the source of the calls from an old looking youkai – and more strangely, a very flat and parched youkai...
"What happened, old man?"
"I was attacked by behind," the unreliable looking youkai answered "And my innards were stolen."
The hanyou hid a frown – the old man being attacked like this on his own territory seemed fishy at best...
"Why weren't you killed then?" he opted to ask
"Pah! Whoever attacked me clearly didn't expect that my youki would be that potent! They probably fled to assimilate it."
"If that's the case, they'll probably come back for you." the hanyou warned – this was after all the centipede and snake youkai usual modus operandi, something he'd had more than ample time to realize when Sango talked about her work as a tajiya and from his own experience
InuYasha saw, but ignored the surprise in the weakened youkai's eyes – he was used to be underestimated by youkai after all, the daiyoukai looking down on him for his attitude far less collected than theirs and his lessened instincts, while the lesser youkai were just idiotic enough to focus on his human heritage and think it made him weaker than them.
Before Yourei Tasei could answer anything, the feeling of youki that until now had been rather tame suddenly flaring all around them.
"Well," InuYasha quipped "seems that your aggressor is having heat burns from your youki, tracking him shouldn't be too difficult like this!" then more serious "If I take you with me will you be alright?"
"I will be. I didn't think a hanyou would be that confident in tracking youki?"
"Bah, that's the first thing alpha beat into me!" said hanyou laughed "Hanyou usually don't know anything more than the basis about youki because nobody bothers to teach us!" with that, he grabbed the youkai, who promptly wrapped himself around his shoulders, and they headed outside
Except – all had changed in the few moments he'd spent under the bridge, the peaceful human village now run over by youkai.
By just as peaceful youkai seemingly going about their everyday life.
That made InuYasha stop in his tracks – that and the fact that the only youki permeating the area clearly was that stolen from Yourei Tasei "Say old man, you have any ability with illusions?"
"Oh oh, how did you guess?"
"Well I don't know, maybe the fact that your youki is making the whole fucking village look like youkai!" the peeved hanyou retorted, before simply heading into the streets like he would have done in any normal village. A few moment later, he tilted his head "Huh, there are some youkai too..." a shrug – the pair of real youkai seemed to be going about their business too "I guess they're taking advantage of the illusion to trade a bit eh."
"Why would you think that?"
"Well, they aren't hostile, aren't they? I mean, their youki is non-aggressive and they aren't doing anything bad. And most human villages are still afraid of youkai, but that illusion right now is letting them blend in, so if I was a passing by youkai merchant I would take advantage of it..."
"You seem to know much about those merchants." the youkai wondered
"Bah, merchants are perhaps the more honest in their feeling!" the hanyou laughed "For them a trade is a trade, be it with a hanyou, youkai or human!" then he slowed down, coming to a stop in front of a house "Well, here is where your youki is coming from, old man."
With that he barged in the house – nose wrinkling at the powerful and sweet scent incense permeating the area. Sure enough, this youkai wasn't a human, and in a swift and practiced motion, he went for Tessaiga, only to be stopped by Yourei Tasei.
"Don't attack nilly-willy boy! You've done well until now, so keep on using this head of yours! This youkai isn't one you can just swing your sword while hopping for the best!"
"For one, I don't just swing my sword without thinking, I do know how to listen to Tessaiga!" the inu hanyou answered back, bristling – and even his sword vexed, it seemed, as wind was swirling around it in protestation "And fore a second... That's why you're here, right! To tell me how to improve!"
The youkai hummed his agreement, mentally noting how in tune weapon and warrior seemed to be, and explained "You've got to take your youki reading skills further. Every youkai has one or several youketsu depending on his power, and aiming at those whirlpools of youki will have a much more devastating effect than attacking blindly."
"Any advice on how to see those things?"
"That is up to you, boy."
"Fine by me!"
¤.¤.¤
InuYasha spent the next few minutes both focusing on his sensing sense and dodging between the orochi's attack – and even if he did let his claws talk a few time, it was more to keep the heat off that anything else, as it was clear that the youkai had a health regeneration impressively high, all its wound closing in mere seconds.
If he wanted to deal with him, he'd have to end the fight in one strike, something Yourei Tasei seemed to indicate would be achieved only by striking at the youkai's youketsu.
Finally, his efforts started to pay, as he finally started to get the same evasive feeling as he'd had the first times he'd used his Kaze no Kizu – before he'd learned to read the wind to find where to strike.
And indeed, little by little, he realized that he could see the youki's flow better.
And just like the old spirit had said, this flow was swirling around the youkai, forming several whirlpools around it...
Except – all of these didn't have the same smell, he soon realized, some of these were simply decoys, rather that really important gathering of the youkai's power.
One of those really stood out, and prepared himself to attack before stopping in his tracks "You know old man, I've played along until then but... the youketsu I really ought to be cutting through is yours right, seeing as we're caught in your illusion?" a shrug "I mean, an illusion is fine to train someone, I understand that much, but illusionists really get hurts when their illusion are broken, don't they?"
[Hidden bonus goal complete! Looking underneath the underneath
You've seen through Yourei Tasei's illusions
Hidden bonus goal reward: +400XP, Political System update]
[Political System updated!
You are now Favored of Yourei Tasei
while this has no direct effect, people will now know that you are viewed favorably by Yourei Tasei, one of the Elder of the Spirit Council.]
Around them, the world blurred, and InuYasha realized that hadn't even left the hidden temple, Padfoot waiting from them to finish while napping in a corner...
As for Yourei Tasei, the man had gained back volume, as just like the hanyou had said, this had been but an elaborated illusion he'd stepped into when entering the hut under the bridge.
"It had been a long time indeed since someone saw through my illusions before completing their training. You seem to know much about those for such a straight-forward warrior?"
"One of our pack youngest is a kitsune." the inu answered as if it explained it all – which it did in a certain way "And it's not the first time someone uses incense to fool my senses." a smirk "beside, even if I didn't attack, I did manage to see those youketsu you told me about, so it's good enough for me."
"Ah but if you'd taken the strike, you'd also given my youki potency to your Tessaiga." at the blank look the hanyou was giving him he elaborated "It is one of your sword's abilities, hasn't it happened already?"
"Nope." quickly denied InuYasha "The only power Tessaiga has ever needed was her own, and mine, and that's how I like it." a smile "If I need more power to fight an enemy, then it's up to me to gain it."
"I see." the spirit smiled, and powers swirled around him coalescing in a small shining pearl brimming with power "Then we'll do it the other way around. Because we are not fighting, it will regenerate soon enough for me... But if you try to absorb it, you will be the one put to test, since my youki is so potent. This won't be power freely gained, since you'll have to earn it by surviving it, but if you survive my youki, no youki but that of the oldest daiyoukai will be dangerous to you. Take this, and you'll have completed my training."
InuYasha took the jewel – and the moment he touched it, the small pearl became a brazier of burning youki engulfing the hanyou, making Padfoot whine at the bloodcurdling scream of pain, so unusual from the beta that could take Sesshoumaru's wrath head on without so much as a wince...
Yet the Grimm didn't interfere – because he could feel the hanyou's resolve, and sure enough, when the youki finally calmed down, letting a battered hanyou reappear, the result was clear enough that Chaos' notifications were nearly superfluous...
[Hidden challenge LV200 complete! The price of power...
You've taken the damage of Yourei Tasei on yourself rather than let the illusionist suffer through his illusion's breaking
Hidden challenge reward:+400XP, Yourei Tasei Youki (+10 to Spiritual Resistance, Killing Intent, Meditation and an Elemental Affinity to be chosen) Perk unlocked for InuYasha
[Secondary Quest Complete! Teachings of a spirit...
Reward:+50XP, +1 enhancement stone to be chosen]
[Level up! InuYasha is now level 188!
+1SP]
More than the level up and quest completion – what was really impressive was the very clear effect Yourei Tasei's youki had on the hanyou, as something InuYasha had knew would be coming ever since he hit his fourth tail finally happened...
The hanyou had manifested a tail, his youki now too potent for his body to hold.
The old spirit had left the hanyou rest for the night, as he was spent from his trial, then observed him leave through the shadows, eager to meet up with his pack, with a fond smile – Sesshoumaru had been right to sent the brat to him.
After all – the reason why he let himself cut by the youkai he trained rather than make them take the brunt of it was that he knew most of them wouldn't survive it...
But the brat hadn't only inherited his stubbornness from his father, but his resilience too it seemed – as it had been the Great General who'd last seen through his illusions. With that, the spirit closed the pocket dimension that held his home and headed toward the House of Moon shiro, as this was a test he knew the elder brat of Touga would want to hear about, even if he'd never admit it.
And maybe he'd drop by the Spirit Council afterward, to let them see his memory of that test too. It was just as the hanyou had said after all, they youkai tended to look down on hanyou for their ignorance, but it was their responsibility to educate them, one they more often than not didn't take. Maybe seeing what a properly educated hanyou could achieve would wake up a few of them...
As for InuYasha, unaware of the reflection he'd triggered in the old mist sprite, he was soon back to Edo, thanks to Padfoot's ability to shadow-walk, just as the rest of his pack arrived there too.
Kagome's reaction to his new tail was as loud and girly as expected, and soon all were splitting up...
InuYasha was following Kagome to the future, and Mahoutokoro, while Tsukiko, Ryoichi and Shinobu were helping the orphans cross over.
Given the number of children and youkai beasts the red kitsune had managed to gather during his latest travel, this was an operation that took most of the day, but thankfully once in their own time, a call to the youkai district was that was needed for people to come and help, most of the great Houses having opened their home for the children to help them adapt to the new era.
Tsukiko hadn't given any choice to her father – not that the Lord had protested – and the two kuro inu brothers Ryoichi had saved a few month earlier had been immediately adopted into the House of Moon, but somehow even Ryoichi could guess that from the half dozen or so orphans not yet adopted that were staying in the Moon shiro, several others would never leave.
Shippou hadn't been wrong in saying that it was the shiro inu's weak point after all...
Of course, Shippou had been there too, to smother Tsukiko in affection and bicker with his son – but also taking in a few children in the House of Leaf, and that night was spent with all curling together in the family den of the Moon.
As both of their children were slumbering peacefully, both fathers glanced at each other in the dark "I remembered how bad they were after the Sanctuary... Yet somehow I hadn't realized how worn and weak it had left them." the kitsune whispered, fondly ruffling his son's hair, yet eyes darkening in sorrow "You feel it too, right?"
"Decades, maybe even centuries of life sacrificed to save humans that would have died a few years later anyway..." Sesshoumaru nodded, the words harsh but true
"Yet they didn't even hesitate." a frown "I long for the day that adventure is over, and they're finally home... Yet I dread it..."
The Western Lord nodded his agreement, tail curling around his daughter tighter – and both fathers finally surrendered to sleep too, leaving Shinobu the last awake for a long time.
The two divine being took one more day to rest before going back to the past, Ryoichi and Shinobu ready to hit the road again in their search while Tsukiko and her pack were heading out to look for Naraku's heart.
But before that, Tsukiko had called Wrath, and make his hand over the black jewel she left with him for safe-keeping.
"Can you feel this?" Kanna and Miroku both nodded
"This is a soul but it's... Evil, and incomplete," Miroku realized as he was talking "This is Naraku's Shinzou?"
"It is. Memorize this, because this what we're searching for."
¤.¤.¤
With that, the half soul was send back to hell with Wrath – and they were on their way.
It took but a few days of travel in the agitated countryside to realize that Naraku's heart seemed to be intent on finding something, as the new offspring had been going around killing holy servants and releasing whatever youkai or demon they'd sealed in their temples.
But while the mass releasing of those evil beings was the larger problem for people, it was evident to Shadow's pack that it wasn't the latest's detachment main goal – as all those holy servants had been methodically beheaded.
From the few survivors of the attacks, they learned that all these attack were the work of two people – an albinos baby, and a young man looking the part of a noble born.
But while each day they were catching up with the rampaging duo, they still had to deal with all the unsealed youkai – until finally, by the end of December's first week, the scent of blood permeating the nearby temple was still fresh enough, proof that the battle had just happened.
Rushing ahead, they barged into the temple, where an old houshi laid dead between his two apprentices, body fresh enough that his heart hadn't even stopped yet.
It was as if in a trance that Kagome kneeled by the holy servant's side, gently pushing the two young men lamenting to the side, reiki gentle but powerful around her...
"She's... healing him?" InuYasha realized after a few seconds of confused silence "How is it possible, his head was cut from his body! Humans don't survive this kind of thing!"
"Because the man was cut down before his time, and his body hadn't stopped yet... With her new gained powers as a miko for Light, she can perform feats of healing others would never be able to." Tsukiko explained as she watched intently, eyes gleaming green, less surprised but just as interested as her beta in the happening
And after a moment – the young miko wobbled by the dead man's side, and the houshi took a long, shuddering breath, before opening his eyes...
"So I was saved, uh?" he realized, not that surprised – the why made clear the next moment when he turned toward their alpha, nodding his head respectfully "Thank you for not taking me."
"Like I said," Tsukiko answered "It wasn't your time. Could you tell us what happened here?"
What had happened was one more ruthless attack from Naraku's two detachment – but this time they had a precise enough description of the events that they realized better what was happening...
"Looking for the border between life and death?" Miroku mumbled "Why would they be looking for that?"
"This I don't know." the old priest shrugged, while managing to sitting down, still a bit weak after his ordeal "But I can tell you that between the man and the baby, the baby was the more dangerous one, I'd never felt such an evil from any youkai before..."
"But you smited it!" one of the two disciple interrupted, finally coming down from their panic and stupefaction
"I didn't." the old man contradicted "I did hurt it though..."
After ensuring that Kagome was well enough, and the houshi would be alright, they left once more in pursuit – and Naraku must have caught on their presence, as swarms of low-level youkai were sent at them...
Or rather, Shippou soon realized as they were cutting their way through – what seemed to be swarm.
"There's far less than we thought!" the young kitsune informed his pack, explaining why their fight had been going so strangely, new enemies always appearing "There's illusions mixed in that's why there doesn't seem to be any end to this!"
"I guess we know Naraku's latest offspring's talent now."
With that the swarm was dispatched quickly, illusion broken by the Mist users, and finally, they barged in a cave where young man was waiting for them with two babies hidden away a few meters behind...
"Well, you caught up pretty fast, eh!" the pale yokai with purple eyes commented, before sighting "But I really don't like fighting!" a shrug "Then again I guess orders are orders," a nod toward them "I'm Byakuya, and of course I already know who you are."
[Goal complete! +25XP
Goal Update: deal with Naraku's detachment (5/9): 5*25XP]
"Well, he must be Naraku's politest offspring." Tsukiko commented, amused
"And the on-going quest changed." Miroku added "Do you think that means we've seen the last of them?"
"That or whatever he's coming up with next will be different enough to warrant it's own quest, just like the Shichini-tai did." the alpha answered
Meanwhile, dozen of paper crane had appeared around the illusionist, floating in the air, and soon peppering InuYasha, who was on the front line.
Of course, the origami were simple nuisances, and in the same attack he cut through both them, and Byakuya - only for the youkai's body to dissolve into wisps of mist, leave behind a simple white flower.
"Wow, I hadn't realized his whole body was the illusion!" Shippou commented, eyes wide – as a kitsune, and a budding genius with youjutsu and Mist Flame, he could appreciate their enemy's talent
¤.¤.¤
"He used his illusion to distract us, but he only took one baby with him." Sango pointed out, walking toward the end of the cave, where youki was still felt
And indeed, where there had been two babies, there was only one now, youki swirling around him, and changing his form under their very eyes.
The naked boy that emerged from the bed sheet looked around him, and noticing them, realized "I've been discarded, eh?"
The affirmation brought the pack to a halt – but there was no denying it, seeing as Byakuya had fled without him.
"I guess it was to be expected, between the precious Heart and the unplanned half..." he eyed them curiously "So, how will you kill me then?"
"Bah, why would we kill you?" InuYasha retorted "Your own creator abandoned you, I don't see why you'd want to help him by going up against us, and even if you did, you wouldn't hold a chance."
"Why wouldn't I?" the youkai asked with a disconcertingly innocent curiosity "I may have been discarded, I'm strong."
"That you are." Tsukiko nodded – that was after all easy to feel – but what her soul sense was telling not only her, but also Kanna and Miroku was that right now, the youkai was nothing but a frighteningly intelligent and powerful child, calm appearance hiding a brain desperately trying to work out a way to survive, and understandably bitter against Naraku
And so she sat by the child, tails neatly arranging themselves around her, and continued "But you would loose." a smile, and she advised him "Don't be like Naraku, don't underestimate us. This is because he's been doing so continuously that we're still alive while he's lost his own heart to his greed."
"Oh!" the child's eyes shone with interest "So you realize what my father himself doesn't eh?"
"That with a heart as tainted as his, it's but a question of time before that baby try to go against him?" an amused smile "That all of his children will go against him one day or the other, because fear isn't a very efficient way to keep people on your side?"
Seeing that there were to be no hostilities in the cave for now, the pack was settling around, each keeping part of their attention on the ongoing conversation but now rather sure that there would be no fight.
"How is it that someone reigning over death is always saving people life?" her beta couldn't but grumble as they went about making camp for the night – because it was pretty evident for him, just like for the rest of the pack that the latest incarnation of Naraku wasn't dying today
"Saving people?" the naked child wondered "How could you do that?" then eyeing Kanna "Then again I guess you've already done it, even if Naraku foolishly didn't care about it. But why do it?"
"Well, you want to live, don't you?"
"Of course. But that doesn't tell me what it gives you?"
Knowing that right now, he quite simply couldn't understand a selfless act, she answered "Well, your powers would be linked to mine." she announced "Which wouldn't compel you to obey me directly, but would mean that should you try to act in a way quite clearly opposite of my own principle, you would probably loose your powers and die."
The child eyed Kanna, that was squabbling with Shippou as they studied their youkai runes – whatever principle let the girl he knew to have been a broken and emotionless puppet from Naraku's own memory grow into this animated child, it couldn't be too bad...
"What kind of principle?"
"Not to go against the cycle of life and death. Sent people that should be dead back to hell. Help the people when you can. Save them if you want." Kanna was the one to answer while keeping Shippou's hands off her writing sheet at the same time "In other words, be a decent youkai, rather and a mindless evil beast like Naraku and you should be alright." with that she turned back to Shippou
Tsukiko smiled, amused and surprised at the rather bold intervention for the still rather shy girl "I couldn't have summed it up better."
"I really don't see what it gives you."
"A powerful new ward for the House of Moon, seeing as the brat is ridiculously proud of our family." InuYasha was the one to cut in this time "But really the truth of the matter is that she's way too kind. So much it could have been dangerous for her..." a smirk "But you can afford to be kind when you're strong enough to protect yourself!"
"I don't know how to be kind." the youkai pointed out "I've only memories of evil doing and self-serving attitude from Naraku."
"You'll learn." Shippou put in his own opinion "A few months ago I didn't know how to fight, barely how to survive, and I was a coward and a scaredy-cat."
"You're the one that killed Jakotsu." Naraku's child remembered from his creator
"Nah that was Sango." a smile "But we did it together." he explained with a smile
And with one last look at the pack around him, the child's decision was made "I'll be naming myself Hakudoushi." he declared "And I want to live. Please take care of me."
Not needing anymore prompting, Tsukiko unleashed her Past Life Aura, seeing as they weren't in a holy area it would serve to boost her divine powers just like it had when saving Kanna, and the green wave of power snaked around the newly named Hakudoushi, severing his life source from Naraku and giving him his own soul, just like she had done with his sister before.
This time it was easier, as contrarily to Kanna, the latest child of Naraku was a new-born who hadn't yet suffered at his creator's hand like the shadow sprite had, and thus no heavy damage had to be undone...
[Holy System updated!
Hakudoushi (unidentified daiyoukai, LV191 ) has been added to Holy Servants]
[Goal update (6/9): +25XP
Hidden bonus goal complete! The unwanted one...
You've offered Hakudoushi a chance at life
Hidden bonus goal reward:+1000XP, Hakudoushi unlocks Chaos' Game light version]
[Level up! You are now level 205!
+1SP]
[Level up! Hakudoushi is now level 192!
+1SP]
"Naraku doesn't stand a chance he doesn't even realize it, does he?" Hakudoushi commented a few hours later, after the pack had started him on Chaos Game' basis "I mean you're directly helped by the gods!"
"Being chosen by the gods doesn't guaranty victory." Tsukiko corrected "It's his own arrogance that will be his downfall."
Hakudoushi rapidly proved far different from his elder sister, more extrovert, and very sure of himself, but he also had a sort of innocence that had been shattered by Naraku in the girl, making him observe everything around him with wide eyes, and evolve very quickly – and while for now, just like he'd warned, he was still very individualistic and tended to think ahead on ways to save himself, they knew he'd soon learn to rely on the pack, and more of the social skills his memories from Naraku sorely lacked. He was after all, willing and eager to learn.
There was one thing they learned from him that night – the reason for Byakuya and the baby's search for the border between Realms...
"It's where the last shard is, apparently." he explained "Before the old houshi cut us apart, the baby and I saw a place covered in mist... Seeing as humans, even holy ones, didn't hold a strong enough connection, I think his next move will be to turn to youkai."
"There weren't any shards when we went to Inu no Taishou's grave..." Kagome pointed out
"I don't know how it ended up there," their newer addition shrugged "but given that Mimisenri himself gave that information I'm rather inclined to believe it."
"Mimisenri?"
"A swamp spirit renowned to have the best hearing of the isles." Tsukiko explained "He's not affiliated to any House, so he shares his knowledge freely as long as a good enough offer, or threat, is made."
"I can guess which way Naraku went for that one." Sango commented dryly
"Indeed." Hakudoushi confirmed just as dryly – confirming to the pack that he would adapt just well, if he was already able to joke with their tajiya
"Still, it gives us an opportunity, doesn't it?" Miroku was the one to point out "We know where the shard is, and Naraku is searching how to go there..." a smile "But we have better options than him for this particular travel. So why not make use of this?"
Tsukiko smiled - while she had evidently refrained to point it out herself, now that Miroku had reminded them of it, she wasn't going to deny the fact that she could access Hell rather easily – and that as such the border between the Realms was even easier for her to access.
"You're talking about a trap, right?" InuYasha realized first
"Well, with our share, Naraku's one, and that last shard, we'll have the opportunity to complete and purify the Shikon no Tama and to get rid of Naraku all in one go if we plan things correctly..." the houshi pointed out "We should at least try to take advantage of this opportunity!"
"He's right." Sango nodded
"But I doubt he'll risk his heart in Hell." Hakudoushi contradicted
"Then we'll have to take him out at the same time. We're more than enough to split into several teams." InuYasha answered "I'm sure the annoying wolf would love to be a part of the action too!"
Still – while they indeed did message Kouga about the latest news, and brainstormed late into the night, they knew that a good plan wouldn't be made in a day.
As such, the next day, they were once more on the road, tracking Byakuya and the still unnamed baby holding Naraku's heart, hoping to at least mitigate some of the violence they were bound to provoke.
But Naraku must have been more unsettled than they realized – as things had calmed down, no more priests were being killed, but no particular unrest among youkai was noticed either...
¤.¤.¤
Then, one morning, the pack woke up with a niggling feeling none could put their finger on – none but Tsukiko, who explained, rather intrigued "This is a call of gathering from the youki mark tying us to the House of Moon." she explains "Something only chichi-ue himself can enact. We're expected to make our way to the House of Moon Shiro as fast as possible."
"But why?"
"We'll know once there." the alpha shrugged "Generally such a call is used for House-wide event, like the Inheritance Ceremony when I was presented as Heir for my fiftieth birthday, or when a conflict with other youkai has gone bad enough that a feud is declared..."
"And where is the shiro?"
"Well the easiest way to find it is to follow the youki pull, just like when we went to InuKimi's shiro but without even needing to search for it first."
It didn't take long to travel, to the Western Lord main shiro – and all were surprised to realize it was strangely familiar.
"It looks exactly like when we spent the night at your place in Tokyo?" Kagome wondered
"That's because it's the same place." the alpha explained "When the House district was created, rather than create town-house when all the old Houses had centuries or millennia old domains, a team of wizards was hired to anchor portals between the district and each domain's entrance, while a secondary entrance of the domain was tied to it's original emplacement."
Tsukiko let her youki flare as her pack approached the shiro, and they could all feel all eyes settle on them as they approached, the guards immediately granting them entrance but the surprise caused by their motley crew impossible to miss despite all the youkai presents' rigorous training – after all hearing that your Lord had a time-traveling daughter that was the alpha of a pack whose beta was his hanyou half-brother, and comprised of humans and youkai alike was one thing, seeing it was another.
And now that they were seeing, they were becoming fervent believers – because if they'd feared the recent acceptance of Sesshoumaru for his hanyou brother and his daughter's strange pack meant that he was growing soft, they were now clearly witnessing that it wasn't the case.
After all, the Lord of the West accepted only the best in his personal shiro, and as such all of them could feel the power emanating from the pack easily, a power than eclipsed quite a few, if not most of them...
As for the Lord of the West, he'd felt just like the rest of them his daughter arrival, and as such arrived in the courtyard at the same time as they did.
"Chichi-ue."
"Musume." an eyebrow was raised "You stole another of Naraku's spawn?"
"He produce children without a thought, and abandon them in the same manner." she answered with a frown of distaste – the way Naraku had just left Hakudoushi behind to save his heart still left an ashen taste in her mouth, she was after all a canine
He father's facial expression mimicked her own, but he didn't comment, instead stating "Come, we have business to conduct before the Gathering."
They followed – and the Lord noted that all seemed to know where they were heading as they strode toward the family aisle. Sure enough, as they settled in the lounge room, Shippou was eyeing the walls around him, commenting "I can't believe this place hasn't change in five hundred years!"
"Well, the shiro has been standing in one form or another for several thousands years." Tsukiko informed him "And in this particular form for five centuries already by this time." then turning her attention back to her father "Why did you call us, chichi-ue?"
"Another part of my father's will came to light." he explained "As such my brother's presence was needed." he completed, nodding toward InuYasha, who still seemed a bit surprised to see his brother acting civil toward him after centuries of strife and disdain
"Something important enough to warrant a gathering?" Tsukiko wondered, intrigued
"It is linked." Sesshoumaru half-confirmed, before turning toward InuYasha "Yourei Tasei tells me you've completed your training."
A nod.
"You impressed him, which is no easy feat." his elder brother commented approvingly – surprising the hanyou once more – before getting up and stepping toward a nearby shogi door "Come, I'll test you myself."
Not backing down from the challenge, InuYasha stepped up too, Tsukiko and the rest of the pack following them into a heavily warded training room, the alpha herding them toward a zone where tatami were of a different color "This is the observation area." she explained before turning toward the two brothers that were facing each other, visibly brimming with excitement
"What is going on?" Kagome whispered, as the dojo's silence didn't make her want to speak too loudly
[Event LV 200! The measure of a hero...
Goal: Survive Sesshoumaru's evaluation
Reward: +100XP , Political System update upon Event completion]
InuYasha dismissed the notification, focusing his attention on his brother – and the next second, the fight started, both rushing toward the other at the same time, the hanyou dodging the Meidou Zangetsuha coming his way just as the daiyoukai stepped out Tessaiga's Bakuryuuha, the two attacking and dodging without discontinuing for several minutes.
Soon, InuYasha was coming to the realization that in order to land a hit, he'd have to use Yourei Tasei's training, as Sesshoumaru wasn't holding back, pushing him back little by little – and the hanyou knew very well how dangerous the Tensaiga's perfected attack was.
As such, he called his Storm Flames to him – his elder brother's raised eyebrow the only sign of curiosity from the daiyoukai, who'd never seen him use them.
Following Tessaiga's lead, the Kaze no Kizu, dangerously enhanced by the red flames, was cut directly at Sesshoumaru's youketsu – just as the Lord of the West cut open a Meidou Zangetsuha.
Getting attracted by the open mouth to Hell, the hanyou's mind worked fast – and once more trusting in his instincts, and his sword's prompting, he focused once more, this time cutting at his own youketsu.
The surge of power that followed pushed him out of the dangerous attack just as it closed, and both brothers were once more facing each other, now heavily hurt.
And to all but Tsukiko's surprise, the daiyoukai smiled lightly, and put his sword back to her sheath, before stepping toward his brother, youki twirling in a non-threatening way, and two claws biting into his face.
"You are now an alpha of the West. Come, the House is waiting for us."
"Shouldn't we heal them before?" Kagome wondered in a whisper as her pack followed Sesshoumaru as instructed, Tsukiko gently dragging along a stunned and exhausted InuYasha
"The House must witness their state first." Tsukiko explained
"Really?" Miroku asked, surprised "I don't remember you telling us anything about this when explaining the Coming of Age rites..."
"Because that's not what's going on." the ookami hime explained with a mischievous smile
"I knew it, she's purposely not explaining anything!" Sango groaned, before turning to Shippou "I blame your kitsune-ess infecting her on this one!"
"Kitsune-ess isn't even a word! And Alpha only hides her kitsune tendencies better than I do, she already had them before we met!" the young fox answered back heatedly – before all calmed down, as they were now leaving the family aisle
¤.¤.¤
And this time, when they came out in the courtyard, it was full of youkai of all types, all waiting for them.
The whispers started as soon as those that had seen them arrived realized that InuYasha now bore the mark of an alpha – but when the state of both brothers was realized, the mutters dropped into expectant silent.
"Today a new alpha has been welcome into the House of Moon," Sesshoumaru started, his voice easily carrying in the silent courtyard "His blade had been tested, and has proven it's worth." the whispers started back as the attention was called to Tessaiga's, quite a few recognizing the famous blade "Who will stand for him?"
Tsukiko was ready to step forward – but stopped herself when she realized that someone else had already moved. Her eyes widened as she realized the one who'd done so, and she clearly wasn't the only one surprised as the whispers only gained in intensity as the tall, scarred warrior with long dark hair tied up on his head and glinting silver eyes "I will."
Shadow's pack for their part, if they didn't recognize the kuro inu like the rest of the House did, could all feel the power coming from him, a power not too surprising given that a rapid Observation announced that this was a nine-tails daiyoukai – a Level Max.
"Name yourself."
"I am GinKiba, son of KenTsume, of the House of Blade, General of the House of Moon."
"Who else?"
This time Tsukiko stepped forward "I and my pack will."
"Name yourself."
"I am Tsukiko, daughter of Sesshoumaru, of the House of Moon, Heiress and Huntress of the House of Moon."
The call to stand was made two more times, Rouyakan and Jinenji both coming forward too, even if the youkai and hanyou clearly weren't used to so much attention, then it wasn't answered to anymore, and Sesshoumaru went on "Will any one challenge them?"
While a few antsy young and less young seemed to wonder about it – the fighting force put forward between their pack and the old general was more than enough to dissuade even the more reckless among the crowd.
"InuYasha, son of Toga, of the House of Moon, are you willing to fight for this House when enemies of our family arise?"
"I am." the hanyou nodded, guessing that some sort of ceremony was ongoing - and really, the answer to this question was rather evident to him
"Will you answer my call, when enemies of the West threaten our territories?"
"I will."
"Will you shed blood by my side, when I call my packs to arm?"
"I will."
"Then let it be known that today a new General has been added to the ranks of the House of Moon."
[Event LV 200 Complete! The measure of a hero...
Reward: +100XP, political system update
Hidden bonus goal complete! The weight of a sword...
You've proved your worth to Sesshoumaru
Hidden bonus goal reward:+1000XP , Tessaiga is upgraded]
[Political System updated!
InuYasha (hanyou, LV188) is now a General of the House of Moon: +50XP]
["Alpha" title activated
+1 Strength, +1 Agility, +2 Charisma
"General of the House of Moon" title activated
+1 Strength, +1 Agility, +2 Intelligence]
[Tessaiga enhancement update:
Inu no Taishou's Protection(attuned, LV150): +10 000HP
Tessaiga's Chosen Wielder(attuned, LV150): +10 000YP
Black Pearl Sliver(empowered, LV150): +200 Blood Drain
Sanctuary Jewel (empowered, LV150): +40 damage against all of Evil alignment
(empty space)
the current Stone has been added to Tessaiga:
Hell Rift(empowered, LV150): +40 shadow damage, unlocks the Meidou Zangetsuha ability]
[Level up! InuYasha is now level 189!
+1SP]
It was clear that this was the announcement that Tsukiko had been waiting for, as she threw her head back, a joyous howl echoing, soon followed by the kuro inu's lower voice, and Sango knew instinctively how to follow their example even thought this wasn't something she'd ever done before – then Shippou joined in a higher yip, and one by one all the canine of the House of Moon joined, the two shiro inu joining in last.
This, Kagome knew, was something she'd never forget, as the festive yet clearly inhuman chorus echoed – and finally, it died down, and the crowd was dispersing – and she realized that while she was hypnotized by the multiple voices singing, food and drinks had been brought out, and the youkai were already starting to feast.
As for them – they were headed once more in the family wing, followed by an awed Rouyakan and Jinenji, and the famous GinKiba, who clearly already knew those quarters.
Here too, food and drinks had been brought – and soon they were all sitting down – before Kagome and Tsukiko shared a glance of understanding – and both girls went to the still bleeding brothers, reiki humming.
"Well," GinKiba commented "that wasn't something I'd thought to see in my life."
"A youkai with reiki, a miko healing a youkai or a hanyou being made general?" Tsukiko asked lightly while healing her father
"Why all of them!" the kuro inu laughed heartily
"I didn't expect you to stand for my beta either, so I guess we can say this was a day full of surprises."
"Seeing those wounds on Sesshoumaru-chan was an ample proof of valor in my mind." the general answered, negligently avoiding the poisonous whip coming his way "And well, I stood up for Touga and his eldest, I couldn't do less for his second son, right?"
The affirmation made Shadow's pack take a second look at the man – given his power, they'd known he had to be old, but hearing him talk about the famous Inu no Taishou nomination as a general so negligently was a clear reminder.
As Kagome was finishing healing the hanyou, Tsukiko took something out of her Inventory – a long braided leather band – and pointed at the kuro inu "Here, tie his hair like this."
Sesshoumaru eyed the band, lips twitching in amusement as he realized that his own scent lingered on it. Clearly he'd given this to his daughter precisely for this occasion, how entertaining...
"So, why the new hair style?" Kagome wondered as she obeyed
"It's the distinctive mark of the Generals of the West." GinKiba explained "The tie is imbued with the Lord's own youki, making it impossible to mistake."
"Yours feels different..." Sango remarked
"It's from the Lord who named me." the daiyoukai confirmed the unvoiced question "InuKimi-sama's own father."
"Does this mean InuYasha is going to leave?" Hakudoushi wondered, as the one who knew the less about pack dynamics
"It means that he could leave to gather his own pack," Tsukiko corrected "but it's not unusual for a new alpha to stay with his pack as a beta for as long as he wishes. Becoming alpha doesn't sever the ties with your pack, it's just an evolution."
"That, and the fact that the chibi hime is a federating alpha." GinKiba added – gaining a glare from Tsukiko for the new nickname, and uncomprehending looks from her pack "That means she's an alpha's alpha, an alpha capable of gathering other alphas around her. " he explained "That's a rather unusual talent, as most of the time, alpha leave their pack because they don't react well to being ordered around by another alpha... Whereas an alpha in a federating alpha pack won't necessarily want to leave."
"The general is correct." Sesshoumaru confirmed "The last federating alpha in the House of Moon was our own father, he added toward InuYasha "The only other know currently is an old Lord of a minor House in the South, but there are rumors that another has been born in the North..."
That – made a surprising amount of sense, the pack realized. After Tsukiko had indeed told them that without the emotional bounds being broken, alpha still tended to leave their pack to make their own because it was often difficult for strong personalities and instincts like those of alphas to cohabit – yet they had never had any problem working with Kouga and his pack, and the wolf-tribe daiyoukai had indeed always had a tendency to defer to Tsukiko.
The evening was spent catching up, InuYasha finally coming to terms with what had happened, and Sesshoumaru rather interested in their rough outline of a plan to finish Naraku and purify the jewel in one go.
The pack also learned that GinKiba had been a general of the House of Moon for nearly two thousand years, making him the oldest general among the four Cardinal Lord's men, and one of the oldest youkai in Japan – he was also the one to train Sesshoumaru when he was younger, which explained his relaxed attitude around the otherwise fearsome Lord, and had trained Toga too when he became general, the two daiyoukai having gone along really well thanks to their very similar personality.
¤.¤.¤
Still – one more important topic had to be addressed that night, as InuYasha suddenly realized once coming down from the multiple shocks of the evening...
"The Meidou Zangetsuha... Why did you give it to me?"
The affirmation cut through the ambient noise, and Tsukiko, who was the only one bar the two brothers to have realized what had happened in the dojo raised an interested ear.
"It was originally part of Tessaiga." Sesshoumaru answered "I don't need the powers of your sword."
"So Tenseiga doesn't cut anymore?" Shippou wondered
"Indeed."
"Oh! That's why Tsuki-chan was surprised when Totosai reforged it!" Kagome remembered "Still, your grand-father has a very strange way to teach cooperation to his sons from beyond the grave..." the miko added thoughtfully to her friend – not realizing the startled look the two brothers were sharing at the affirmation
"Yet it is fitting that the kinder brother has the power to sent people to hell, while the assassin held on the power to take people back from hell..." Kanna completed with a serene smile
"Who are you calling kind?" InuYasha grumbled – while Sesshoumaru seemed quite content with his appellation of assassin
"I wonder if Totosai will make a coming of age weapon now, or if the Inu no Taishou has left more tests for his elder?" Sango wondered, remembering about the blacksmith's affirmation that he'd forge a blade for the Lord only when he'd had met the conditions set by his father – not realizing that the inu's eyes were suddenly gleaming, as plans for a trip to the Nikko area were made
They spent the night in the family den, the humans – and former human – not even bothering to opt out of the main bedroom this time, then hit the road back the next day, seeing as they still had a hunt to finish – but the feast had still been going on when they left the shiro, and Tsukiko informed them, amused, that the festivities could last up to a week, or even, one famous time, a month.
"You know," Tsukiko commented a bit later "If oji-san trains enough, I won't even have to open the way for you..."
"True, Sesshoumaru's Meidou Zangetsuha opened a path straight to hell, didn't it?" Miroku remembered "Then with enough training, aiming for the in-between should be possible, shouldn't it?"
"So... Does it mean we're in for a few more training session from hell?" Shippou wondered with a whimper and shudders
"Looks like it." Sango nodded, patting the whitening kit's back – making Hakudoushi wonder about what could be so bad in training sessions
"Don't mind Shippou," InuYasha reassured him "he's over-dramatic. Well... mostly anyway..." he mused, not reassuring Hakudoushi at all
After a few more days heading toward the South - and incidentally, the same direction Ryoichi was traveling toward, Tsukiko couldn't help but laugh "If he crosses the path of Naraku's underlings by pure chance once more, I'll really start to wonder whether Luck hasn't given him the Potter's luck..."
"And what's the Potter Luck?"
"A family inheritance I could never prove I possessed in my first life..." Tsukiko explained "I was the last of my name, but I did a bit more digging in my family History, and I realized that just like me all of them seemed to had a wild luck, falling into the worst situations and coming out all the better for it..."
"That sounds a lot like the Chinese proverb..." Miroku mused
"May you live in interesting times." his alpha completed with a nod "Exactly! I even wondered if it wasn't a real curse, but could never find any proof..." she pouted
Naraku's Heart had eventually realized that they were following him – except this time, he'd simply sent Kagura to them with a message.
"In the mountains of Flame country, there is a gate to the next world, is what that Akago told me to pass on."
"That fucker. Already trying to make use of use just like Naraku eh?"
"I wouldn't know." the wind spirit commented neutrally, acutely aware, just like them of the saimyoushou buzzing around, and eyes lingering on Hakudoushi with some surprise, and hope
"No matter," Tsukiko smiled "I have a message of my own." her fangs were gleaming menacingly, InuYasha noted, amused to realize once more how more wild she became when she let go of but a fraction of control over herself "Tell your Akago to hide himself in the deeper cave, as we're coming for him, tell Naraku that after that shard we're coming for his own half of the jewel..." the smile wasn't as menacing as she concluded "Know that by the winter equinox, this will all be over."
It was clear that the wind sprite had understood loud an clear the message – understood that the last affirmation was not so much a threat toward her creator as a promise to herself...
With a nod, she was gone.
"No more playing around, eh?" Miroku was the first to comment
"It's like you said, we have a golden opportunity, and I've no intention of wasting it."
"With the way you've taunted them, I don't doubt they will react." InuYasha mused
"And they've just given us the mean to catch them in our own trap thanks to their habit of trying to use us." Sango completed "Because they've just confirmed to us that they haven't managed yet to open the way to the other world."
[Hidden Life Quest unlocked! Biting the biter...
Goal: set up the trap
Reward: +800XP per goal, Chaos Game update upon completion]
"Well," InuYasha nodded decisively "Let's do this then."
With that, the pack was heading South once more, traveling faster than they ever had as right now they knew that Naraku was keeping his own activities down, waiting for their arrival to the southern island.
"The Land of Fire is the Southern Cardinal Lord domain, and while it is the smallest of the four territories, it's also the more dangerous." Tsukiko was explaining as Kagome was asking her about the place they were headed to "Because the North may have a dangerous winter, the geothermal activity in the South is on-going all year long, not to speak about the volcanic activity."
"It's also the area with the highest youkai to human ratio." Miroku added "But paradoxically, while the region has quite a number of holy servants, it's also the place where youkai and humans live along side each other the best."
"That's because between the natural dangers, and the numerous attack of sea demons, they really couldn't care less about each other, their main interest being survival." Sango took over "We tajiya rarely have any request from work from down there, but when do have some, they are dangerous jobs, as demons and youkai are completely different matters."
"And won't the Lord see from a bad eye our incursion on his territory?" Kagome wondered - after all while they'd been in the Eastern territory, the daiyoukai was allied with Sesshoumaru and in their travel north they hadn't crossed in the Northern territory
"The old tanuki won't give a damn." InuYasha was the one to answer, surprising the pack
"You've already traveled the area?" Kagome wondered
"Kikyou was called to help against a few eyesores." the hanyou explained succinctly "I helped."
The pack didn't insist - while their beta was handling himself far better now than a few months ago, they preferred to let him do so at his own pace. No doubt he'd mull on his memories for a few days before confiding in them once he was ready. As such they let him change the topic "The Lady of the South is a tanuki, one the wasn't born a daiyoukai." he explained
That - was rather impressive all the pack realized - like kitsune, tanuki were tricksters, but as youkai-born they rarely had the need, or abilities to grow into daiyoukai. And not only that, but their beta was clearly saying that the reign sovereign of the region was a female, something more seen among youkai than humans, but still rather unusual...
"The South is dangerous." InuYasha pointed out "And Tsunade-baa-san is a crafty old lady, she's way too strong and manages to survive any situation."
"And why won't she cares about our presence?"
"The South philosophy is along the lines of 'as long as you don't cause any problems, you can do whatever you damn want', it's every man for himself, and the weak will die."
"Wow. The region sounds pretty rough." the young miko commented - yet still a bit intrigued by the Cardinal Lady
"Tsunade-sama is also the Cardinal Lord that has been reigning for the longest," Tsukiko added her own information "And she has... a pretty unique temper." an amused smile "She particularly enjoys clashing with chichi-ue."
"She particularly enjoys clashing with anyone she finds interesting." InuYasha grumbled, making the pack easily guess at his own relationship with the daiyoukai "Annoying old hag..."
A message was also sent to both Kouga and Ryoichi, informing them of the latest development – and the wolf had already started to head South too while Ryoichi had confirmed that he'd try not to end up once more in the middle of their conflict with the evil hanyou, as he had already picked up a few orphans.
¤.¤.¤
After splitting up from Tsukiko and Ryoichi's packs, Kouga and his own pack had headed back toward the East, intent just like the others to make a touch-down to the caves where laid their family den.
It was soon clear that the beasts youkai having survived the two divines beings Sanctuary were just as predicted above the usual beast youkai, as such their travel wasn't as fast as expected, as they took the time to help around on their way – never realizing that before meeting Tsukiko and her pack, they'd never thought to do so...
They arrived by the north of the Eastern territory, their travel taking them not too far from the den of the northern youkai wolf-tribe dens when the scent of blood wafted toward them – blood from other wolf-tribe members.
Rushing toward the sounds of battle, they arrived just in time to save an old wolf beast from some corrupted youkai.
"Well, I thought I was done for." the old youkai commented – surprising them, as very few of the wolf beasts were capable of human speech rather than the canine dialect "But our alpha and his daughter are the one holding back the strongest of these things, please help!"
"Go ahead." Ginta nodded at Kouga's glance "We'll take care of things here."
With a nod, the alpha was rushing toward the place were the strongest concentration of youki was felt, Goraishi glinting as he took down the large youkai in own swing under the alpha and his daughter's stunned eyes.
"Well," the elder wolf-tribe wolf commented as they headed back toward the pacified caves, where Ginta and Hakkaku had made swift work too of the remaining enemies "I'd heard the rumors, Kouga-kun, but I now see they were true. Congratulation on becoming the Eastern Ouji."
"Thanks, old man." the young daiyoukai smiled – before getting an arm full of a young wolf-tribe member, as the alpha's daughter had finally come down from her surprise at seeing him
"Kouga! You came! Are you here to fulfill your promise?"
"Ayame," the old alpha sighed "I've already told you that an exchange of words between pups is no betrothal!" then, eyeing the younger alpha "Besides, given his new position as Heir of the House of Fang and daiyoukai, I doubt he'll be mating himself to a wolf-tribe daughter, even the daughter of an alpha."
"I won't mate for prestige or power." Kouga contradicted
Ginta and Hakkaku nodded, not surprised.
Traveling with Tsukiko's pack had made all of them yearn from more than they had before in a mating – because the humans were quite more honest with their feelings than youkai, and the bonds between the tajiya and the houshi, or the miko and the hanyou, even if all those involved had trouble seeing what was quite clear to the youkai, were only making them stronger rather than weaker.
Strength wasn't something to look for in a mating, it was something that would come naturally from a good match.
"But," the wolf forged on, turning toward the expectant girl he remembered saving a few decades earlier "I won't mate a stranger either." he smiled to take the bite out of the affirmation "You are a child still Ayame, and we have only met once, decades ago."
The wolf started to open her mouth to protest, then stopped herself, and instead asked "Then you are saying that if we knew more about each other..."
"There is no telling." Kouga shrugged "Maybe we'll realize we're meant to be, maybe you'll realize you can't stand me on a daily basis, maybe I'll find you too annoying..." a smile "I've seen what a good mating is, and I won't settle for anything else!"
"Even if Tsukiko-san and Ryoichi-san are a bit..." Ginta started, hesitating on the correct word
"Unconventional?" Hakkaku suggested
"Intense?" Kouga added with an amused smile
One of the wolf let out a winning noise "Scary?" Ginta interpreted "Yeah that too..."
Ayame eyed the exchange with mirth, but a new resolve was born in her eyes.
After making sure that the pack would be alright, Kouga and his own pack were about to hit the road again when two young wolf-tribe children met them by the cave's entrance "Take us with you." the elder asked
Kouga was surprised at the request - but because the young wolf had clear and steady eyes, and seemed rather intent on his request he asked "Why?"
"Because you are Kouga of the Eastern Den, the strongest of the wolf-tribe wolves, the first to make it to the daiyoukai status in centuries." the kid answered "because I know I'll grow strong too with you."
"You are still a child, why would you want to grow so fast?"
"Shinta and I are orphans." the young wolf explained "And even if they don't say it, I realize that taking care of us is hard for the den." his eyes hardened "We are orphans because with the perpetual corrupted youkai attacks, our parent died protecting us, and I don't want anyone else dying to protect us, so I have to be able to do the protecting myself. I don't want to be a burden anymore."
Kouga turned toward the older alpha that had approached them during the child's impassioned speech "What say you, old man?"
"We'll miss them if they leave." the alpha stated "And taking care of our pup is never a burden." he corrected the boy "But Kai and Shinta will do well by your side, if you'll have them."
Kouga nodded "It's settled then, come chibi and chibi chibi!"
"Hey!"
Ayame stepped by her father's side as Kouga and his pack were leaving "We're heading to the area protected by the House of Fang then?" she asked
"We are." the old alpha sighed "My stubbornness in keeping us our ancestral caves has already costed us too many good wolves." a bittersweet smile "And now, even you are leaving, right?"
"I'm taking the Coming of Age Trial." the red-headed wolf nodded
"Then you're following him."
"I am." she confirmed, green eyes determined "I don't need to know anything more about him to love him..." a smile "So now I just have to let him know me, and hope for the best. That's something I can do only if we're together, so I'll be going, oyaji."
"Take care of you, musume."
"I will." she promised