Note - See the following chapter for information about the revising of
this
story, if you already haven't.
Chapter 7 - A new enemy
Kunouku and Sesshoumaru landed in a clearing, right near the northeast border of the lands. Kunouku was getting quite bored, as there had been no chances to show off his fighting skills. Hardly any threats had arisen, and the few rebels that threatened once in a while seemed to be keeping low.
He was beginning to see through his earlier hype he had made about the patrol, now regretting coming at all. He wondered if it would have been less boring if his sister had been there with him. He gazed out to the stars at the thought, as night fell on the second day away from home. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tsumeku sat next to Kagura, tending to some of her more recent wounds. In moving the rubble from the entrance with her own strength, some rocks would collapse on her once in as while.
Naraku sat off to the side, watching the quite girl work. He wondered if it really was Kanna, it had been so long since he had seen her, he could not remember. But...this youkai...she had youki that could be sensed, and if he
remember right, Kanna had not possessed any such youki. She had been empty. It plagued his mind, as he kept his watch on Tsumeku.
Kagura began to wake up, and looked into the younger girl's face. 'Did not my sister...my ane-ue have....empty eyes? The eyes of this girl....sad they are, but they still appear to hold emotion.' She held the same thoughts as Naraku, but quickly dismissed them. Even if it was not Kanna, she could stay. It would be nice... to have someone else here once again. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back at home, Rin was busy preparing the castle for her family's return. The patrol of the lands would be over tomorrow, and they were expected back in the evening.
Standing on tiptoe to reach a window's top shoji cover, she heard frantic footsteps coming down the hall. Jakken ran up to her, stopping to catch his breathe when he got there.
"Mi'-milady, there seems to be...a danger...to the castle...I feel that it is best...to get you to the fighting chambers...they are the safest place in the compound." he panted, turning to head back down the hall.
A large tremor shook the fortress, sending Jakken flying, and Rin stumbling down the hall. Servants coming from their quarters at the opposite end of the hall poured out of their rooms, heading to the training room.
A passing youkai helped Rin up, and took her by the hand to the room, as another tremor shook them all. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Come on, all waves hit again! We have to bring down this fortress!" a youkai said, stepping out onto a ledge above the castle. Below him, youkai,
hanyou, and humans all stood on ledges, assorted by method of attack.
"Archers! At ready...fire!" he called, sending a fury of arrows screaming at the walls. Youkai guards that had gathered on the walls retaliated, as some of theirs were shot down.
"Aerial assault...prepare your attack!" he shouted, turning to a group of bat youkai on the highest of ledges. On his command, they leapt off, carrying javelins and spears, and dive-bombed the defense.
"You will fall, Lord Sesshoumaru...and then, my dearest cousin, I shall take what you stole from my family." The youkai turned to another level of attackers, commanding them to unleash a rain of burning arrows, his navy haori swirling around his arms.
He leaped down the levels, and ascended the mountain nearest the castle, to where a group of snipers lay waiting. He took up a bow, silver hair whipping around in a low tie. He stood, the snipers rising with him, and strung a poison tipped arrow to the bowstring. He let it lose, the others following, picking off the retaliating assault from the guard of the castle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sesshoumaru's eyes snapped open, as a ryuu-youkai landed in the clearing. He recognized it as a guard from the castle, and approached him.
The dragon youkai's wings were torn almost to shreds, and he had wounds on his arms and torso.
"S-Sesshoumaru-sama.. An assault, at the fortress.....started an hour ago..." he panted, clutching one arm that had a particularly large gash.
Sesshoumaru stared at him, then turned to Kunouku, who had just woken up. "We are leaving immediately. Grab your things, mount Ah-Un. There is something happening back at home." he said, rousing Ah-Un from his sleep. The horse-dragons shook the manes on both of their heads, giving their master a
questioning stare. Sesshoumaru gave the youkai a quick stroke, and lifted the saddle onto their back.
"Get on. We are leaving now." Sesshoumaru said to Kunouku, motioning for him to help the wounded guard. They took off, heading back to the fortress,
Sesshoumaru's youki leaving a crimson trail blazed into the late night sky,
mixing with occasional bursts of blue fire from Ah and Un. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tsumeku stood up, as she lay the last of the bandages on Kagura's injuries. She walked over to the broken shoji, about which she had informed
them. Crawling through the tunnel once again, she stepped into the early morning sunlight that was slowly creeping over the eastern sky. She turned, and saw
Naraku emerging with Kagura, supporting her by the waist. They walked in silence, heading for a place unknown. The grey sky cast their shadows far off, as they disappeared into the forests around the remnants of Mt. Hakurei. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rin huddled against the others in the battle room, barricaded off from the rest of the castle. Beams of light began to filter through the small shoji that lined the top of the walls. Morning was coming, and it did not appear that the battle would stop anytime soon. Servants that were guarding the door were picked off, as snipers shot at their outline through the shoji. As more went to barricade it, more were shot. An arrow came screaming in through one of the
shoji at the top, sending them all scattering. It soldered, from the flame that is had been lit with, and burned away at the tatami floor. A small bag was attached to it, and caught fire when the flame touched it. A large cloud of
green smoke burst through the crowd, the ones nearest to its source falling to their knees. Rin covered her face with her sleeve, but slowly gave in to the darkness that was claiming them all. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"We have the rest of the castle occupied! All that is left is the training quarters! The ones hiding inside have been hit with a sleeping powder, but there may still be resistance. I want you all to surround the complex, and take caution. On my command, we rush the building!"
The ranks of the rebel army took action at their leader's words, forming a broad circle around the battle compound. They readied their weapons, and took stance.
The youkai white hair, standing atop one of the buildings, turned to the east. In the rising sun, there was an outline of a dragon flying in the air, lead by someone utilizing a shroud of youki.
"So nice of you to join us, cousin! You are just in time to hand over your title formally!" he said dryly, smirking as a shocked Sesshoumaru set foot inside the grounds.
"What have you done here, Fukumaru?!" Sesshoumaru spat, taking in the scene before him. The palace lay in shambles, almost all the buildings held
great gaps, and most were now on fire. "How dare you attack this place! What motive did you have for such a deed, iotoko?!" he added, glaring in fury at
his cousin.
"Why, I am simply gaining back what is mine by heritage, dear Sesshoumaru-kun." he replied, putting an extra bite into the suffix.
((In Japan, that could be used as a sign that you look down upon, spite someone. I decided to use it there. Its like saying, "little boy", or something similar to that.))
Sesshoumaru snapped his head up, eyes leering crimson at his cousin. He drew the Tokijin, and prepared to strike Fukumaru.
"I do not think that would be wise, Sesshoumaru..." Fukumaru said coolly, motioning for a bat youkai to fly onto the roof where they were standing.
"Sesshoumaru...I did not think that you were capable...of obtaining a mate." he continued, as the bat's wings opened to reveal a semi-conscious Rin. He took her by the hand, and had her stand next to him.
"Kimi.....wa shiseiji.......owaru!" he snarled back, raising Tokijin up above his head. He rushed them, then side-stepped suddenly, grabbing Rin by the wrist.
((You...bastard...DIE!! or, 'cease to exist'))
He leaped back, to where Ah-Un and Kunouku were standing rigidly. He turned to his son, speaking quickly under his breath.
"Kunouku...take your okaa, and get her out of her. Have the guard take you to 'the youkai council'. He will know what you mean." he said, lifting Rin onto the dragons' back.
"You think that there is any place that is safe? If I am not mistaken, isn't that your heir, Sesshoumaru?" Fukumaru sneered, looking at Kunouku. He looked back to the tai-youkai, smirking with silent laughter.
"You know.. Once I dispose of you....that he is next." he finished,
looking down at his ranks.
Youkai, hanyou, and ningen looked back up, resentment for the Lord of the West showing in their hungry eyes.
Ah-Un took off, Kunouku urging the beast to fly far upwards. Fukumaru hailed the archers and aerial brigade to attack, but the dragons' fire and Kunouku's weak dokkassou attack managed to keep them all safe.
Sesshoumaru watched his son leave, and turned back to his assailant. "Get away from this place. Now." he said quietly, eyes completely blood red.
"Oh my, this is a change. A century back, you would have not hesitated to kill me, cousin. Has something...softened you?" he chuckled, watching the look on Sesshoumaru's face go from anger to pure loathing.
"Nothing has changed. You had your chance!" he snarled, rushing at him. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tsumeku ran about a clearing, enjoying the orchids strewn about the
grasses. They had neared the Northern lands, and were heading for 'an important place' according to Naraku. The air was a little colder here, and they had gotten haori for themselves, to stay warm. Tsumeku, however, had chosen to get herself a happi instead, complaining that the haori was too confining.
"Naraku.. Where are we going?" Kagura asked, when she had made sure that the girl was far enough away.
"We are heading for the youkai council of the North. I wish to speak to them about 'past matters'." he replied, watching the excited Tsumeku sprawl in the flowers.
They had both guesses by now that this girl was not Kanna, but they were reluctant to leave her behind, seeing that she had gotten them out of the castle. So, she was permitted to travel with them, until she decided to do otherwise.
Tsumeku stood up, flowers falling out of her hair, and stared off into the west. A line of thin smoke ran up through the sky, outlining it with a crimson hue. Her eyes went blank, memories flitting just out of her grasp, but they disappeared as soon as they came into a hazy jumble in her head. Something told her, 'danger....something is wrong..' , and her instincts screamed a silent song. She couldn't understand, though, and reluctantly let them pass. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh my god. Super-chappie!!! I didn't even realize that I typed that much.... It is compensation for not updating my stories....
Riinuka., signing off
Anata wa hyouron shimashou ne? ((everyone will do a review, right?))
Chapter 7 - A new enemy
Kunouku and Sesshoumaru landed in a clearing, right near the northeast border of the lands. Kunouku was getting quite bored, as there had been no chances to show off his fighting skills. Hardly any threats had arisen, and the few rebels that threatened once in a while seemed to be keeping low.
He was beginning to see through his earlier hype he had made about the patrol, now regretting coming at all. He wondered if it would have been less boring if his sister had been there with him. He gazed out to the stars at the thought, as night fell on the second day away from home. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tsumeku sat next to Kagura, tending to some of her more recent wounds. In moving the rubble from the entrance with her own strength, some rocks would collapse on her once in as while.
Naraku sat off to the side, watching the quite girl work. He wondered if it really was Kanna, it had been so long since he had seen her, he could not remember. But...this youkai...she had youki that could be sensed, and if he
remember right, Kanna had not possessed any such youki. She had been empty. It plagued his mind, as he kept his watch on Tsumeku.
Kagura began to wake up, and looked into the younger girl's face. 'Did not my sister...my ane-ue have....empty eyes? The eyes of this girl....sad they are, but they still appear to hold emotion.' She held the same thoughts as Naraku, but quickly dismissed them. Even if it was not Kanna, she could stay. It would be nice... to have someone else here once again. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back at home, Rin was busy preparing the castle for her family's return. The patrol of the lands would be over tomorrow, and they were expected back in the evening.
Standing on tiptoe to reach a window's top shoji cover, she heard frantic footsteps coming down the hall. Jakken ran up to her, stopping to catch his breathe when he got there.
"Mi'-milady, there seems to be...a danger...to the castle...I feel that it is best...to get you to the fighting chambers...they are the safest place in the compound." he panted, turning to head back down the hall.
A large tremor shook the fortress, sending Jakken flying, and Rin stumbling down the hall. Servants coming from their quarters at the opposite end of the hall poured out of their rooms, heading to the training room.
A passing youkai helped Rin up, and took her by the hand to the room, as another tremor shook them all. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Come on, all waves hit again! We have to bring down this fortress!" a youkai said, stepping out onto a ledge above the castle. Below him, youkai,
hanyou, and humans all stood on ledges, assorted by method of attack.
"Archers! At ready...fire!" he called, sending a fury of arrows screaming at the walls. Youkai guards that had gathered on the walls retaliated, as some of theirs were shot down.
"Aerial assault...prepare your attack!" he shouted, turning to a group of bat youkai on the highest of ledges. On his command, they leapt off, carrying javelins and spears, and dive-bombed the defense.
"You will fall, Lord Sesshoumaru...and then, my dearest cousin, I shall take what you stole from my family." The youkai turned to another level of attackers, commanding them to unleash a rain of burning arrows, his navy haori swirling around his arms.
He leaped down the levels, and ascended the mountain nearest the castle, to where a group of snipers lay waiting. He took up a bow, silver hair whipping around in a low tie. He stood, the snipers rising with him, and strung a poison tipped arrow to the bowstring. He let it lose, the others following, picking off the retaliating assault from the guard of the castle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sesshoumaru's eyes snapped open, as a ryuu-youkai landed in the clearing. He recognized it as a guard from the castle, and approached him.
The dragon youkai's wings were torn almost to shreds, and he had wounds on his arms and torso.
"S-Sesshoumaru-sama.. An assault, at the fortress.....started an hour ago..." he panted, clutching one arm that had a particularly large gash.
Sesshoumaru stared at him, then turned to Kunouku, who had just woken up. "We are leaving immediately. Grab your things, mount Ah-Un. There is something happening back at home." he said, rousing Ah-Un from his sleep. The horse-dragons shook the manes on both of their heads, giving their master a
questioning stare. Sesshoumaru gave the youkai a quick stroke, and lifted the saddle onto their back.
"Get on. We are leaving now." Sesshoumaru said to Kunouku, motioning for him to help the wounded guard. They took off, heading back to the fortress,
Sesshoumaru's youki leaving a crimson trail blazed into the late night sky,
mixing with occasional bursts of blue fire from Ah and Un. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tsumeku stood up, as she lay the last of the bandages on Kagura's injuries. She walked over to the broken shoji, about which she had informed
them. Crawling through the tunnel once again, she stepped into the early morning sunlight that was slowly creeping over the eastern sky. She turned, and saw
Naraku emerging with Kagura, supporting her by the waist. They walked in silence, heading for a place unknown. The grey sky cast their shadows far off, as they disappeared into the forests around the remnants of Mt. Hakurei. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rin huddled against the others in the battle room, barricaded off from the rest of the castle. Beams of light began to filter through the small shoji that lined the top of the walls. Morning was coming, and it did not appear that the battle would stop anytime soon. Servants that were guarding the door were picked off, as snipers shot at their outline through the shoji. As more went to barricade it, more were shot. An arrow came screaming in through one of the
shoji at the top, sending them all scattering. It soldered, from the flame that is had been lit with, and burned away at the tatami floor. A small bag was attached to it, and caught fire when the flame touched it. A large cloud of
green smoke burst through the crowd, the ones nearest to its source falling to their knees. Rin covered her face with her sleeve, but slowly gave in to the darkness that was claiming them all. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"We have the rest of the castle occupied! All that is left is the training quarters! The ones hiding inside have been hit with a sleeping powder, but there may still be resistance. I want you all to surround the complex, and take caution. On my command, we rush the building!"
The ranks of the rebel army took action at their leader's words, forming a broad circle around the battle compound. They readied their weapons, and took stance.
The youkai white hair, standing atop one of the buildings, turned to the east. In the rising sun, there was an outline of a dragon flying in the air, lead by someone utilizing a shroud of youki.
"So nice of you to join us, cousin! You are just in time to hand over your title formally!" he said dryly, smirking as a shocked Sesshoumaru set foot inside the grounds.
"What have you done here, Fukumaru?!" Sesshoumaru spat, taking in the scene before him. The palace lay in shambles, almost all the buildings held
great gaps, and most were now on fire. "How dare you attack this place! What motive did you have for such a deed, iotoko?!" he added, glaring in fury at
his cousin.
"Why, I am simply gaining back what is mine by heritage, dear Sesshoumaru-kun." he replied, putting an extra bite into the suffix.
((In Japan, that could be used as a sign that you look down upon, spite someone. I decided to use it there. Its like saying, "little boy", or something similar to that.))
Sesshoumaru snapped his head up, eyes leering crimson at his cousin. He drew the Tokijin, and prepared to strike Fukumaru.
"I do not think that would be wise, Sesshoumaru..." Fukumaru said coolly, motioning for a bat youkai to fly onto the roof where they were standing.
"Sesshoumaru...I did not think that you were capable...of obtaining a mate." he continued, as the bat's wings opened to reveal a semi-conscious Rin. He took her by the hand, and had her stand next to him.
"Kimi.....wa shiseiji.......owaru!" he snarled back, raising Tokijin up above his head. He rushed them, then side-stepped suddenly, grabbing Rin by the wrist.
((You...bastard...DIE!! or, 'cease to exist'))
He leaped back, to where Ah-Un and Kunouku were standing rigidly. He turned to his son, speaking quickly under his breath.
"Kunouku...take your okaa, and get her out of her. Have the guard take you to 'the youkai council'. He will know what you mean." he said, lifting Rin onto the dragons' back.
"You think that there is any place that is safe? If I am not mistaken, isn't that your heir, Sesshoumaru?" Fukumaru sneered, looking at Kunouku. He looked back to the tai-youkai, smirking with silent laughter.
"You know.. Once I dispose of you....that he is next." he finished,
looking down at his ranks.
Youkai, hanyou, and ningen looked back up, resentment for the Lord of the West showing in their hungry eyes.
Ah-Un took off, Kunouku urging the beast to fly far upwards. Fukumaru hailed the archers and aerial brigade to attack, but the dragons' fire and Kunouku's weak dokkassou attack managed to keep them all safe.
Sesshoumaru watched his son leave, and turned back to his assailant. "Get away from this place. Now." he said quietly, eyes completely blood red.
"Oh my, this is a change. A century back, you would have not hesitated to kill me, cousin. Has something...softened you?" he chuckled, watching the look on Sesshoumaru's face go from anger to pure loathing.
"Nothing has changed. You had your chance!" he snarled, rushing at him. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tsumeku ran about a clearing, enjoying the orchids strewn about the
grasses. They had neared the Northern lands, and were heading for 'an important place' according to Naraku. The air was a little colder here, and they had gotten haori for themselves, to stay warm. Tsumeku, however, had chosen to get herself a happi instead, complaining that the haori was too confining.
"Naraku.. Where are we going?" Kagura asked, when she had made sure that the girl was far enough away.
"We are heading for the youkai council of the North. I wish to speak to them about 'past matters'." he replied, watching the excited Tsumeku sprawl in the flowers.
They had both guesses by now that this girl was not Kanna, but they were reluctant to leave her behind, seeing that she had gotten them out of the castle. So, she was permitted to travel with them, until she decided to do otherwise.
Tsumeku stood up, flowers falling out of her hair, and stared off into the west. A line of thin smoke ran up through the sky, outlining it with a crimson hue. Her eyes went blank, memories flitting just out of her grasp, but they disappeared as soon as they came into a hazy jumble in her head. Something told her, 'danger....something is wrong..' , and her instincts screamed a silent song. She couldn't understand, though, and reluctantly let them pass. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh my god. Super-chappie!!! I didn't even realize that I typed that much.... It is compensation for not updating my stories....
Riinuka., signing off
Anata wa hyouron shimashou ne? ((everyone will do a review, right?))