{Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, so don't sue me. College has a strict hold on my wallet anyway.}
Vengeance
By Striking Falcon
Chapter Nine: Flight or Fight
"Kagome, are you sure you're ok?" Sango asked. Kagome had become increasingly violent since Inuyasha's absence and Sango was becoming worried. Shippou curled up in Kagome's lap, enjoying the fire and the feel of her fingers stroking his ears. Kagome sighed.
"I think I'm just sleep deprived," Kagome said, using her free hand to rub her tired eyes. She had to admit that even she was a little worried. Her dreams were becoming clearer and she knew she had to get to Inuyasha. She still couldn't remember the end of them, but the rest was enough to keep her in a constant state of panic. Sango rested her hand on Kagome's shoulder.
"You miss him, don't you?"
Kagome smiled weakly. "Is it that obvious?"
"It is to Jakken."
Sango and Kagome burst into giggles. Miroku gave them an odd stare, then returned to his cooking, cursing the lack of sufficient light. Sango inspected the scratch around Kagome's neck.
"It's healing nicely. Soon it will be completely gone."
Kagome sighed. "Then I'm glad we're so close to the Demon Tournaments. I don't know exactly what he did, but I'd rather Inuyasha be around when it goes away."
Sango nodded in agreement and turned back to the fire before Miroku totally burned dinner. Men, they are so useless sometimes. Kagome sighed and leaned against a nearby tree. Tomorrow they would arrive at the Tournament and hundreds of demons from all over Japan could watch her thoroughly bless out Inuyasha for stealing her jewel shard and leaving her behind. She smiled at the thought and nodded off.
********
"Today we have a special treat," the announcer for the tournament said to the crowd.
"The Western Lands are fighting two separate battles. First: Lord Sesshoumaru verses Lady Kanaia, Water God of the East!"
The crowd cheered as Sesshoumaru walked to the bottom of the crater. Inuyasha snorted. This water god didn't look like a water god. It looked more like a sprite. It was a small female with little gossamer-like wings. Inuyasha snorted again. 'This is going to be so boring.'
Never judge others by appearances.
Kanaia gave Sesshoumaru quite a challenge, much to Inuyasha's astonishment. The water god ducked his every advance and even managed to get in a few punches to his face and ribs. Inuyasha smiled.
"I know Fluffy's hopping mad," Inuyasha muttered.
Jakken scowled. "My lord will finish her off and make you eat your words."
Inuyasha looked down at him from his propped up hand. "I never said he wouldn't win. I just said he was getting more of a fight than he expected."
Jakken snorted.
Inuyasha grinned. "I'm rubbing off on you Jakken."
Jakken scowled and scampered away to finish an order of Sesshoumaru's. Inuyasha shook his head in the toad's direction and watched the last of the fight.
Just as the water god thought she had the upper hand, Sesshoumaru landed a solid punch to her ribs. Kanaia stumbled backward, a grimace marring her pretty features. Sesshoumaru rose to his feet, allowing his sheer size to intimidate the small girl. Kanaia straightened.
"Lowly dog. I'll teach you how to behave around a lady."
She charged at him, her lips pulled back against her teeth in a snarl. Sesshoumaru stepped aside just in time and elbowed her in the back as she rushed past. Kanaia crumpled to the ground. Sesshoumaru kneeled down and yanked her up by her hair. A few well placed blows to her sides and head were all it took for her to surrender. Sesshoumaru gave a small smile and dropped her. He walked out of the crater and beside Inuyasha. As the announcer started the next fight, Sesshoumaru regarded his abnormally silent brother.
"Well, Inuyasha. What do you think?"
Inuyasha scowled. "I think you beat up a girl."
Sesshoumaru frowned. "She is a demon."
"She's a girl. You didn't have to pound her like that."
"You would not?"
Inuyasha thought about it a moment. "I guess I would have."
Sesshoumaru smiled. "Good. I thought for a moment you were going soft."
Inuyasha looked at him for a moment. "Where did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"'Going soft'?"
Sesshoumaru looked away for a moment. "I heard you say it one time while you were talking to Sakura."
"I'm shocked you know her name."
"I did not until you asked. Maybe I should ask all my servants their names."
Inuyasha stared at him as if he grew another head. 'Sesshoumaru, interested in humans? Somebody tell me I'm dreaming?' Sesshoumaru tapped his shoulder.
"Inuyasha, you are next."
Inuyasha walked to the edge of the crater, waiting to see who his opponent was.
"Now we have the second battle of the Western Land. Remember, if either fighter is defeated, then they both are disqualified. On to the fight. Lord Inuyasha verses Lord Kouga of the Higher Mountains." Kouga stepped to the edge of the crater. A gong sounded, and Inuyasha and Kouga started their trek to the bottom of the crater. Inuyasha stood still as Kouga poised himself.
"Dog Turd, what are you doing here?"
Inuyasha regarded him with Sesshoumaru's expressionless face. "You don't hear very well, do you retard? I'm one of the Lords of the Western Lands."
Kouga snorted. "Yeah right. Sesshoumaru is, but you are just a worthless bastard. Where's my woman?"
Before Inuyasha could tell him exactly what he thought about Kouga calling Kagome his 'woman', the gong sounded again, starting the fight. Kouga threw the first punch, and was more than surprised when Inuyasha dodged it with ease. Inuyasha snickered and dodged him again. Kouga was starting to get more than a little frustrated.
"Fight me, or are you scared?"
Inuyasha remembered when such a taunt would have sent him rocketing toward Kouga, but today was a different day. He merely smiled good naturedly at him, as though he were a small child, and continued to dodge his advances. Kouga growled and reached for Inuyasha's throat.
"Fight me!" he bellowed. Inuyasha reached out and grabbed Kouga's arm, catching him completely off guard.
"If you insist."
Inuyasha swung Kouga over his head and into the ground beside him with a thump. Kouga stammered under the blow, struggling to regain his breath.
"What the hell?"
Inuyasha grinned at him, enjoying the astonished look on Kouga's face. "What's the matter wolfie? Bit off more than you could chew?"
Kouga growled and made a move to stand up, but Inuyasha lifted him again and slammed him on his other side.
"I'm getting bored, Kouga."
Kouga started to growl again, but Inuyasha lifted him by his arm and punched Kouga in the ribs. Kouga crumpled against him, pain shooting up his side.
"Kagome won't let you hurt me. Any moment now she'll subdue you."
Inuyasha's grin widened impossibly as he raised Kouga to his face. "Kagome's not here, asshole."
Kouga took in the meaning of his words for a moment, then used the opportunity to kick Inuyasha in the ribs. Inuyasha grimaced slightly, but released him. Kouga rolled a few feet away from him before stopping himself. He stood up, expecting Inuyasha to spew a few choice words in his direction. Instead Inuyasha stood there waiting, the same deadpan look on his face. Kouga regarded him for a moment before his eyes widened.
"You look different, dog breath."
Inuyasha smiled. "So good of you to notice. Now let's get this over with before the crowd becomes restless."
Inuyasha charged forward with a speed Kouga didn't normally associate with the half demon. Inuyasha appeared in front of him, then disappeared entirely. Kouga spun in a circle, searching frantically for some sign of Inuyasha. A blow to the back of his head sent him reeling to the ground. Another blow to his ribs knocked the wind out of him. Kouga rolled on his back, just in time to see Inuyasha crouch over him, claws pointed to his jugular.
"Any last words, Kouga?"
Kouga swallowed, but remained motionless. He would not beg this lowly creature for his life.
"Winner: The Western Lands for the second time today."
The crowd cheered their appreciation, but Inuyasha refused to move.
"Will the Western Lands show mercy, or put the Higher Mountains out of his misery?"
The crowd hushed a moment before rallying a chant. It started as a low rumble, but quickly became frenzied.
"Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!"
Inuyasha leaned in closer to Kouga's face.
"You hear that? They want your blood and Kagome's not here to say different."
A sudden breeze wiped the smile off his face. 'What the-?' Kouga could smell it too and looked at Inuyasha.
"I thought you said she wasn't here?"
Inuyasha scowled. "It's the ribbon in my hair," he replied, not believing a word of it. One look at Kouga told him that he didn't believe it either. The two studied each other before Inuyasha rose to his feet. Two flashes could be seen leaving the crater, one white and the other brown. The crowd sat in silence for a moment before realizing their entertainment was gone. Sesshoumaru groaned in frustration, then his nose caught what attracted them. Shaking his head, he turned to follow them as the announcer found his voice.
"Well, my fellow demons. I guess the Western Lands chose mercy."
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SF: Well, that was interesting. I'm so proud of you, Inuyasha. You handled Kouga like a professional.
Inuyasha: {::scowling but pleased::} Keh. I always handle Kouga. I didn't do a thing different-
Kagome: Except fight calmer and not curse through the entire battle.
SF: I agree.
Kagome: Hey SF, when are you coming out of the rafters?
SF: When Sesshou stops looking for me. Jeez, can't he take a joke? The preview to chapter ten is below.
Oh yeah, if you're wondering why I'm up here, look at chapter 6 of 'How to Train a Taiyoukai.'
Chapter Ten: Two Faced
Inuyasha looked down and blushed again, taking a step back and releasing Kagome. Kagome blushed and looked down, choosing instead to look at the jewel shard.
"For another, what mark?" Kouga hollered, yanking Kagome's white shirt to her waist. Kagome gasped and Inuyasha growled in warning. Before Kouga could find what he was looking for, a flash of white appeared and Sesshoumaru landed between them. He knocked Kouga to the ground in front of him and Kagome back into Inuyasha's arms behind him.
"Starting trouble, Higher Mountains?" Sesshoumaru asked, glaring down at Kouga.
Reviews:
Destination: Thanks for the love!
Animegirl: Believe it or not, 'Little Falcon' is what my grandfather calls me. I'm part native american, so that explains that. The 'Striking' part has something to do with my love for Chinese food and the weird way I steal some from my dad. He's such a sucker!
Sorrow: I'm coming with more shortly. I even have certain plans for the ending.
Eartha: Thank you! I hope the fight was interesting!
Kagome look-alike: Thank you!
Shandrial: Well, sorry to disappoint you, but that wasn't Kagome, just in case you didn't realize it from above. Don't worry, though. Kouga gets his anyway, don't you agree?
Cristal Tears: I like that chapter too! I have a favorite chapter in each story and Kouga calling Inu 'dog turd' was funny when I first heard it, so I asked Sesshou what he thought. He hasn't stopped laughing yet.
For anyone who's interested, I'm also at fiction press.net under 'Purity Unbound'. Oh yeah, just in case anyone's wondering, I'm a girl.
