Chapter Two:

You Jurassic Bastard

Satsuki reappeared with a rather undignified crash onto the nest of a demon-like creature. Its wings were bat-like, but its head resembled that of a Pterodactyl. (Flying dinosaur) The creature's temperment could most likely have been subjected to better testing than its reaction to the person who nearly crushed its eggs.

Satsuki, utterly flustered herself, shoved herself out of the nest, barely able to cling to the underside long enough to plot a course down the tree. Sliding down onto a slightly lower branch, Satsuki measured the length of the fall down, and then dropped her halberd, which had ceased its glow as soon as they had arrived, to the ground.

Her hands free and without the hindrance of clothing, Satsuki began to change, calling her basic magics to protect both her modesty and her life. Ebony fur raised then rippled across her skin as her hands became paws. Her tail split seamlessly into two fluffy limbs of black. The last to change was her eyes, silver dominating their coppery hue. Her muscles restored with her transformation, with the grace of the great cat she had become, Satsuki leapt to the ground.

The flying demon, however, had other plans. It wanted to make sure that the intruder never returned to steal her eggs. Whilst Satsuki transformed, Haikesu had lifted off into the heavens, preparing to dive-bomb the egg-thief. With a cry of pre-emptive triumph, the demon dove like a falcon towards its prey.

Satsuki turned her metallic eyes to her aggressor. Wait... Wait for it. Now! ((A.N. Or so I keep telling myself when learning to drive over the bridge)) She struck, her claws extending to catch the demon by its flesh-covered beak. Satsuki tore it from the air, snagging a wing and yanking it to the ground with her other paw. Pinning the creature, Satsuki growled menacingly, halting the demon's attempts to get free.

"Listen you Jurassic bastard. I leave it to you to spread the word amongst your kind and others. Banishment is over, and now Satsuki's more powerful than before." The cat demon growled. She released the demon and sent it flying away with a vicious snarl.

So she was bluffing about being more powerful. It wouldn't be too hard to take back what she had lost in her banishment. Surely those who would have taken over after her would be weaker if they hadn't already claimed hers as theirs. ((Did that make sense?))

Satsuki snatched her halberd in her teeth and began to run, towards the east and her home. Trees flew past her until she reached a break in the woods that she knew borders hers and the Central Lands. Light! Sunlight peaked in a dappled array ahead of her. Satsuki sped up, breaking the forest line and leaping off the cliff.

Below was the perfect view of her lands. The mountains towards the North with their snowcapped heights and the valley that lay on the lower bank of the very cliff from which she had leapt. To the South lay a small speckling of squares and buildings. The city, one of four that thrived in her lands. Below this part of the cliffs was a widening in the riverbanks, opening out into a massive lake. Satsuki flew through the air above the water, falling and flying at the same time towards the water. After the lake was the grasslands. Small villages and rice fields peppered the grassy plains, the soil made rich by seasonal flooding of the river.

Then, the monolith. Even Satsuki didn't know precisely how the massive, spire-like mountain came to be. Her obaa-chan said that it was the result of one of her ancestors becoming very bored and deciding that he wouldn't be if he could see everything. So, her home was based pretty much at the very top of the mountain.

Though it was unnaturally steep, it was possible to climb the mountain. But the harsh journey kept most mortals at bay. The trees, somehow growing in abundance on the sheer sides of the monolith, ended about two thirds of the way up, giving way to stone. Needless to say, Satsuki had figured out a few alternate routes up and down aside from climbing the endless stone ridges.

Satsuki finally ran out of airspace. Her paws touched the lake's crystalline surface and the water rushed up to meet and support the pads of her feline feet. Her limbs bent, re-directing her momentum across the water. Satsuki darted across the water, leaving little collapsing mushrooms of water in her wake.

Thinking it best to wait to make her presence known, Satsuki drew most of her aura into her until her jyaki was equal to any other demon's. Those thoughts lead to how she would present herself. Chances are whoever was ruling now was a coward not to have challenged her before and would be easily intimidated into backing down. 'I'll need clothes then.' She thought, remembering her deteriorated armor and clothes, which had fallen apart upon her exit of the crystal. ''Shame... I liked those too...' She thought, pouting mentally.

Satsuki approached a small village, creeping about the outskirts to find what she needed and depositing her halberd for safekeeping. 'I hate to raid my own subjects, but...' Satsuki built up energy in her throat, rearing back onto her hind feet. Bringing herself into full view of the villagers, she let her form grow massive fangs and claws, her eyes glowing red as her fur stood up. She looked like a monster, a mangy beast. Releasing her built up energy, Satsuki roared, striking fear into the hearts of those who were not already terrified.

People ran in all directions, none towards her. Satsuki prowled about, snarling at the occasional person and swiping at another, missing intentionally. Finally, everyone had fled. Most towards the city back by the river. Tales of a savage cat-beast would be flying left and right within the day. Rolling her eyes, Satsuki shed her cat-beast form...

And abruptly crumpled to the foot worn ground.

"What the hell??" Satsuki said incredulously. To be utterly nude, and her leg muscles fit for no good use in the middle of an abandoned street wasn't quite what she'd expected. Scooting along with her arms, Satsuki managed to prop herself upright against a nearby wall.

"Well gee, this is dignified." She grumbled, changing back to her feline shape. She searched the houses and came back to the hiding place of her halberd with a plain, undyed yukata and a pair of boots.

Her feline jaw dropped when she saw her beloved halberd. The blade was twisted to the point of no return.

Satsuki growled in anger, taking in nearby scents. Nothing. 'Whoever broke my precious halberd, by the gods they will pay.' She thought, snarling under her breath. She gathered everything together and set off towards the North-Central lands. Time for a visit "The Fire-Breathing, Old Coot."

Satsuki stepped lightly across semi-molten rock towards the skeletal hut.

Author's Corner

Hee hee. I do hope you all know who the old coot is. I know she called the demon "a Jurassic bastard" and chances are someone in her time wouldn't know about that. But let's just say she's educated okay?

Ruri: There, you've got your idea. Now LEMME DOWN!!!

Hari: Hey! What about me!

Ruri: You can rot in those shackles!

Hari: O.o;;

Ruri: PurLEEESSE!!! Shadow falls over Ruri

BH: Stands over Ruri with a massive twitch NOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ruri Hari: O.O;

Feed the author!!! ((RuriHari: What about the muses?? BH: NO SOUP FOR YOU!!))

With reviews, mind you!