Disclaimer: Inuyasha and co. doesn't belong to me. But Torikari and her family do!
AN: My first Inuyasha fic. Please don't flame me if you think it's really bad. Hopefully this
chapter will be longer and better than the first.
Swords, Talons and Love
Part 6
Sesshoumaru stood to full height as Torikari half flared her wings.
"Good evening Lord Sesshoumaru." She smiled.
"Lady Torikari." He grunted as he nodded in acknowledgment.
The funny thing was though, their body language screamed 'Ready for a battle'. However their
faces were calm and serene.
Torikari's crest raised oh so slightly as Sesshoumaru's lip curled just a bit, showing white teeth.
"What brings you to this small village my Lord? From what I know you have not visited any
human settlements since your father was killed."
"You know perfectly well what brings me here Lady," You could hear the venom in his voice.
"The transformation has begun and I am here to halt it before my younger brother fully changes."
Torikari gave him a sweet smile.
"I do not know how you plan this Lord. For the last time I checked your younger brother was
not that fond of you."
Sesshoumaru glared at the slightly smug Tori-youkai.
"I shall take my leave now." He grumbled before storming off.
Kagome watched in utter shock as Sesshoumaru left with wounded pride. Inuyasha probably
knew his half-brother was in the area, but he had decided to remain in the village with Kaede-
obaasan and his pack.
Truthfully, Kagome was becoming worried. She could sense Inuyasha's youkai blood growing
stronger, overtaking the human blood.
But it seemed that just because he was growing stronger didn't mean his feelings were changing,
Kagome was happy for him, really she was, because his dream of becoming full youkai was
coming true.
But the problem now was the Shikon no Tama, she had planned on giving it to Inuyasha and not
worry about it ever again; but he was becoming full blooded on his own and he just starting to
realize it.
Inuyasha was ecstatic about this new revelation, Kagome could see his joy in his molten gold
eyes. She could also see his love for her shine brightly whenever he looked at her.
Lady Kaede looked out the window and saw Kagome making her way to the hut.
Kaede was concerned though, what was Torikari doing by triggering the transformation? What
plans were to be had?
"HI KAGOME!!!!" A little voice squeaked as a little orange-red body leaped into her arms.
"Shippou-chan how are you?"
"I'm great! Where's Inu-baka?" The little kitsune looked around for the irritable demon dog. A
light chuckling was heard from the edge of the forest as Torikari came striding toward them,
showing no sign of her little confrontation with the Lord of the Western Lands.
"Inuyasha is currently running with his pack kitsune cub. He will return at sunset and he expects
to meet with Kagome-san, alone."
Kagome blushed.
When Kagome had left with Inuyasha Shippou had quickly gotten bored watching Kaede putter
around her hut and had taken to following Torikari around as she walked through the forest.
"Where're we goin'?"
"We are going to meet with my allies who have come from far western lands to fight the war with
Naraku. Though I do wish I did not have to ask for their help."
"Why?"
"These youkai are only part bird and can be very difficult to work with."
"They still got bird in 'em, right? And you're the Lady of all the bird demons, right?"
She chuckled and gently ruffled the fur on his head.
"It is not that simple I am afraid. My alliance with these western bird and cat mix demons is very
fragile at the best. A single gesture or word could greatly offend them. So I ask you one favour
little cub, please be on your best behaviour."
"I promise . . .*yawn*. . . to behave."
Torikari 'tsked' and shook her head.
"It is far past your bedtime little cub. We shall roost in this tree for the night." She told him as
she picked him up and cradled his sleepy form in her arms. "Yes, this pine shall do nicely."
The kitsune cub still cradled in her arms she flew to the thickest branch near the middle of the 50'
pine and gripped it tightly in her taloned feet before settling into a comfortable position. As she
bent her bird-like legs into a natural sleeping position she kept the almost asleep kitsune cub
cradled and wrapped her wings around the two of them like a blanket or a cloak. Soon only a few
strands of her hair and the talons of her feet were visible peeking out from the ball shaped
enclosure of feathers that surrounded the two.
The wind and air that night grew chill, heralding the coming of a harsh winter. Within the mighty
branches of the pine Shippou sensed the change in weather and opened his eyes a crack, expecting
to feel the biting wind. But he only felt a comforting warmth in the arms of a youkai he'd met the
same day. Shippou liked this, it felt like he was with his mom and dad in their den, so he gave a
bleary blink and a sleepy smile at the sleeping face of Torikari before drifting off to dreamland
once more.
The Gryphons of the far Western Lands waited in the glade they had agreed to meet Torikari in.
Imagine their surprise when she arrived with a little kitsune.
What is the meaning of this Lady?! The Gryphon Leader cried, annoyed, in English.
Deepest apologies Sir Graydon, during my journey here the cub followed me out of boredom.
She stroked Shippou's head and gave the little kitsune a gentle look. I am considering adopting
him. She told them in flawless English.
You are a strange culture to adopt a street urchin.
Torikari held her sharp tongue and counted her blessings that Shippou didn't know the language.
But Shippou did know, at least a little of it. Enough to get the gist of the conversation.
Because he has no parents is no reason to leave him out in the cold.
An orphan is still an orphan Lady Torikari, there is no purpose for them. They scurry like rats
and steal hard earned food.
Sir Graydon, have you forgotten that I, too, am without parents? She hissed coldly. Shippou
shivered, as if suddenly remembering he was just a little kitsune surrounded by full grown youkai.
But then he looked at Torikari in wonder and with new respect. She was defending him at the
possible cost of her alliance.
It does make sense, one orphan caring for another. However we have come here to decline your
call for help against your foe.
I warn you Sir Graydon, this is an unwise decision. For if you decline now, we shall decline in
the future.
WE ARE GRYPHONS! We shall never need the help of your uncouth kind!
If we of the east are so uncouth, why is it you that is yelling? She whirled and turned her back
on them. "Come Shippou, let us leave these doomed beasts to their own machinations."
With a quick glance back at the shocked Graydon he ran as if Sesshoumaru was chasing him.
"What do you mean by 'doomed beasts'? They looked fine to me."
"Many years from now a great plague shall befall their kingdom. Only the plants and herbs of my
home in the Southern Lands could cure it. This plague shall wipe out the western Gryphons.
Some of the western Dragons and the western K'i'lin shall seek sanctuary here."
"And you'll let 'em stay? For good?"
"Yes, I shall. For by refusing our plea for help Sir Graydon has terminated our alliance. Should
he and his kind seek help from us they will find no open doors. The others however, are welcome
to come and be healed for our relations with them is much better."
Shippou nodded and walked along quietly, occasionally looking at Torikari. Longing to be held
in her comforting embrace and enfolded in warm wings once more.
