Disclaimer: No, I don't own Inuyasha. Too bad... (P.S. For those of you who haven't caught on yet, "hanyou" means half-demon, and "youkai" means full-blooded demon)
A figure approaches the castle door and tugs on the rope
Amolani: Ding, dong! Anybody—ahhh! trapdoor slides out from under feet. Amolani has a short fall onto a hard floor
Amolani: Ouch! (grumbles) This better make Toriki happy.
Five men stepped from behind the trees. Shippou knew their scent—hanyou.
"Do you have permission to leave Kayou's territory?" asked the man in the center. He looked more like a lizard than a man.
"This area is protected by the Priestess, and we can walk as we please," Shippou smoothly replied. The hanyou cringed. "You have no right to detain us."
"He's only a common demon," the frog-man said. His fellows nodded in agreement. "Let's give this youkai a lesson on respect." Five hanyou drew their swords, and charged.
The fox youkai struggled to block the oncoming blows, dodging those he could not block. One man tripped Shippou as he dodged. Cold steel bit into his shoulder as he landed in the dirt. Another blow came crashing down to his chest, but the kitsune youkai rolled away.
"Uncle Shippou!" cried Keiko. Sherin knelt next to the human. "He's hurt!"
"Not badly, for a demon," Sherin whispered. "He'll be alright."
"I hope so." Keiko hugged Sherin tightly. Sherin was too shocked for words. A twig snapped only inches behind Sherin. She whirled around, pushing Keiko behind her.
"What's a small child doing, leaving Kayou's land?" asked a handsome hanyou. His face seemed to glow in the darkened forest.
"Uncle Shippou followed—"Keiko began; Sherin's hand swiftly found the child's mouth.
"Kayou's hand doesn't reach here," Sherin said.
"It does now." The hanyou grabbed Sherin's free hand. "As a hanyou of a captured land, you are now a prisoner of Kayou, Shogun of the youkai." Sherin found herself being dragged further into the forest.
"A large party for patrol," Sherin growled, jerking back her hand.
"You mean those attacking your boyfriend?" Sherin's mouth twitched as the hanyou grabbed her wrist. She opened her mouth to tell him off, but he continued speaking. "They're an illusion." Sherin listened carefully. "Keni here's an expert at such tricks only one of the men is real, and we are going to shoot him with poisoned arrows, no matter how much you beg." He smiled maliciously.
Sherin ignored him, turning her attention to the hanyou next to the fire. Her fangs glistened in the firelight, eyes closed tight, hands weaving in and out of the flames. The smoke rose thick, darkening the sky around them.
"Go to Shippou," Sherin told the little girl. Keiko hesitated; the handsome hanyou reached for her.
"Come with me," he said melodically. "I'll protect you."
"Run!" Keiko jumped at Sherin's order, and bolted through the trees.
"You little witch," the hanyou growled. His free hand flew to Sherin's face; her bandana dropped, violet moon shining vibrantly. A green whip severed the hanyou's wrist, and his hand shriveled in the dirt. Sherin growled malevolently, baring her fangs as the frightened hanyou retreated.
Next came the hanyou at the fire...
Shippou's opponents crumbled to dust, and blew away.
"Weak puppetry," he muttered, sheathing his sword.
"Uncle Shippou!" cried a small voice. Keiko shot out of the trees. She bent over, gasping for breath.
"Keiko, are you okay?" Shippou asked. He looked around. "Where's Sherin?" He placed a hand on Keiko's shoulder.
"Forest," she gasped. Her finger pointed to the trees. "Hanyou."
"I'll go save her," Shippou said gravely. He drew his sword, and stepped towards the trees.
"Who needs saving?" growled Sherin. Shippou turned to see her leaning calmly against a tree. He was startled to the ground Inuyasha-like crater .
"Sherin!" cried Keiko. The hanyou's green bandana was rolled up and tied around her forehead, leaving her two black ears exposed. "You scared me!" Small arms wrapped around Sherin's legs.
"But there was no harm in the forest," Sherin cooed patronizingly. "Was there?"
"No," the smart little girl replied. "But it was very dark and scary!" Sherin carried the child piggy-back, and let her play with the fuzzy black ears.
The fox demon watched them depart. Sherin's bandana shimmered in the afternoon sun. Sherin turned, brown eyes laughing, and said, "Are you coming?" Shippou trotted after them.
Amolani: Toriki! Toriki!
Shadow-clad figure takes shape
Amolani: Aaaahhhh!!!! O.O Don't hurt me!
Goro: Give Goro jewel; Goro give birdie.
Amolani holds up a plastic necklace, covered in cheap glitter
Goro: Ooooohh... Pretty...
Amolani: Walmart... On sale...
Goro: toss sack to Amolani Goro buy many pretties?
Amolani opens bag, Toriki inside
Toriki: How dare you dawdle, my life was at stake!
Amolani: Toriki funny, but owe me new necklace!
Toriki: muttering Toriki isn't a money tree!
