Inuyasha
Coming of Age
((Author Note: This Chapter is mixed with a bit of comedy and some serious emotions. It's shorter then the past chapters so enjoy for now.))
Chapter 10: Kisho's Birthday
"I wonder what's taking them so long?" Kyoko asked out loud as she took a stick to stir the fire.
"Ah, who cares. They can take care of themselves," Keiji said as he laid next to the fire with his hands behind his head.
"I know that. It's just we don't know what Naraku is planning. He might have something in stored for them. Have you even tried thinking about that?"
"I try not to think to much."
Kyoko grew stiff as she stared at her brother across the fire, "I've notice. That's what got us in this problem in the first place. You were the one-"
"Shut up!" Keiji yelled as he sat up growling at his sister, "What do you know?!"
"I was there. Why do you think we have so many injuries? Why do you think father is gone from us?"
Keiji leaped over the fire and tackled Kyoko against the ground. The two siblings struggled against each other for a moment before Keiji pinned Kyoko against the ground. He was stronger physically out of the two and it didn't take much to keep her pinned. His claws pressed against her throat as a deep growl rumbled in his throat, "You listen to me. I know you blame me for what happened, but it wasn't my fault and you know that."
Kyoko turned her head the other way to ignore him. Keiji was hitting his breaking point now and he was about to threaten her again, but before he got his chance Kisho leaped out of no where and tackled him against the ground.
Kyoko quickly got back to her feet as she stared at the boys rolling across the ground struggling for dominance, "Kisho!?"
Tora leaped down from the sky and landed right next to her, "Yup that's Kisho and I'm Tora." Kirara mewed as she fell from the skies and landed in Tora's arm, "Oops and this is Kirara."
Kyoko sighed as she rubbed her head, "Tora as much as I enjoy your company can you try to stay on track here. Look at them," she pointed to Keiji and Kisho still fighting it out on the ground.
Tora just waved his hand at the scene, "They're just two growing boys. Let them get it out."
"They're not normal boys! They're youkai!"
"Well technically Keiji is a youkai...or half since you two claim to be Kagome's kids and Kisho is less then that."
Kyoko slapped her hand against her face, "Tora..."
Kisho used his legs and thrusted Keiji away from him. Keiji landed perfectly on all fours, "You're lucky I don't have my sword in my hand."
Kisho rubbed his cheek where Keiji had managed to land a punch, "Well why don't you scurry off to get it because I have mine right here."
"Stop taunting me you low life."
"Low life? Ha, I believe I'm stronger then you."
Keiji growled, "I doubt that."
"Well I just saw how strong you were. So you can pin a helpless women against the ground. Let me congratulate you on that. Is that how your dad made you?"
Keiji's face grew red with anger, "Don't you dare insult my father!"
"I just did. You shouldn't try to hurt your own sister like that so you deserved every bit."
"I'll show you. You bastard."
Keiji lowered his body slightly as he prepared to sprint towards Kisho. His legs burst forward as the Shikon Jewel fueled each and every step until he grew faster and faster with each passing moment. Kisho must had known Keiji was going to attempt a speed attack of some kind because he was already leaping into the air to avoid him. Keiji also knew that Kisho was going to attempt some kind of leap to avoid him. He raised his hand up as he ran towards Kisho and grabbed him by the ankle. With a tight grip he threw Kisho against the ground.
Kisho laid there against the ground trying to catch his breath. He slowly began to get up again, but Keiji leaped on him with his claws extended forward. Kisho laid there pinned as he stared up at Keiji.
"Who's strong now you little puppy?"
"Me," Kisho said with a grin on his face. He leaned forward and bit Keiji's hand.
"Ah!!!" Keiji tried to pull away, but Kisho's fangs sank into his skin making it even more painful each time he tried to pull away,"Let go!!"
Kisho didn't say anything as he kept his jaws locked in place. Keiji sank his claws into Kisho's shoulder to try to weaken Kisho's hold on him. The two were in a deadlock as they just stood there biting and clawing each other now.
"What the? Tora, shouldn't you be stopping them?" Shippo said as he slowly walked towards the group carrying Sango.
Tora looked over his shoulder, "I figured I should just let them fight it out."
Sango looked over to the two fighting boys, "I don't think its going to stop like that."
Kyoko slowly walked over to the two, "Would you two just stop? Keiji I'm sorry, ok? I didn't mean it. You know how I get, I just miss how things use to be."
Keiji and Kisho both looked at her and then each other. The nodded their heads slightly, agreeing on a truce. Keiji lifted his hand up slowly while Kisho opened his mouth. They both leaped away quickly from each other rubbing their wounds.
'I hope I don't get some sort of wolf disease,' Kisho said to himself as he rubbed his shoulder slightly.
'I hope I don't get some sort of moron disease from that stupid mutt," Keiji said to himself as he sat hunched over on a rock.
"Kirara!" Sango said happily as the little fire cat leaped out from Tora's arms to be embraced by her.
"She's safe and sound. The barrier just made her sleep the entire time. She insisted that we ride her here. I thought she might have been tired."
Sango laughed lightly, "She likes to help out."
"She also likes Kisho."
There was a long silence as everyone stared at Kisho who was still rubbing his shoulder, but the silence was soon broken by a burst of laughter.
"Imagine those two getting together," Shippo said as he began to think about it.
Kisho threw a rock at Shippo, "Stop thinking about stuff like that."
"That's very sweet...in a strange way," Kyoko said as she sat down by the fire.
Kisho remained silent since he didn't know how to react to all this. He just walked over to the fire to sit with everyone else.
Everyone except Keiji sat around the fire eating. Keiji was still angry at Kisho for biting him and he was just letting some steam off by sitting by himself.
"So, you and Keiji didn't find anything?" Tora asked as he finished eating the last of his rice.
"Not a thing...there is a strange barrier up ahead though, but it was to strong for us to get any closer. I don't think youkai or hanyou can get near it."
"Maybe I can get near it. My blood doesn't have as much youkai as you guys," Kisho said as he stared at the flames in the fire, "I'm not afraid..."
"I'm sure you're not, but let's not decided just yet. We'll see this barrier for ourselves in the morning," Tora said with a yawn. He rested his head against his arm as he smiled with content, "Ah, its good to have a stomach full of food."
Shippo nodded as he suddenly dropped his bowl, "I can't believe I almost forgot!
"Forgot, what?" Sango asked as Kirara tilted her head at Shippo.
Shippo began searching through his pockets looking for something. Keiji looked slightly back to see what was going on. Shippo patted his cloths to see if he could find the object that he was searching for, "I know it's here somewhere....hmm oh here it is!"
Shippo reached into one of his side pockets and pulled out a picture, "This is for you Kisho. For your birthday."
Kisho blinked lightly, "How did you know its my birthday?"
"I remember the day when everyone disappeared and that's when you were born."
'I don't know if I should be flattered or upset...' Kisho said to himself. He reached out to take the picture from Shippo. He leaned a bit closer to the fire so he could see the image better, "Wow..." Kisho said softly as he gazed at an image of his parents. It was taken without them knowing since Shippo tended to sneak a peak at the happy couple when they were alone. It wasn't like he was the only one spying on them. Sango and Miroku tended to join in on the spying as well.
"They look so happy..." Kisho said sadly, but he covered it up quickly as he smiled to Shippo, "Thank you."
"This is for you too Kisho," Tora said as he pulled out a bracelet from his pocket, "It's made from Tiger bones. A good luck charm, it should protect you when you need it the most."
Kisho held out his hand as Tora placed the gift down, "Wow, thanks Tora. I'll put it on right now."
"I wonder what everyone else got you," Tora looked around to see that they were the only ones sitting there.
"Uh, where did they all go?" Kisho asked, as he looked around confused.
"I can't believe I forgot, Kirara!"
Kirara mewed up to Sango as they walked through the woods.
"After all he's done for me I don't even get him a birthday gift. Gah!"
Kyoko and Keiji were down by a small steam having the same conversation.
"Keiji, what should we do? We didn't even get Kisho anything..."
Keiji threw a rock into the water, "Let's get him a pile crap."
"Keiji..."
"Oh you're right Kyoko. He's already full of crap as it is. Wouldn't want to add to it."
"I don't get why you don't like him. He does his best..."
Keiji clutched his fist, "Because...he's like us almost. Our father is missing and so is our mother, but no one gives a damn about us! All they care about is Kisho! It just makes me sick."
Kyoko never really viewed the situation like that and she opened her mouth to say something but Keiji raised his hand up to stop her, "Don't say anything. I'm going for a walk. Have fun finding Kisho a rock for his birthday."
Keiji walked deep into the woods for a few minutes before, he looked over his shoulder to make sure Kyoko wasn't following him. Once he was certain she wasn't following him he sat down on a dead log, "Why do I feel like this? Why do I have to feel so...jealous?"
He ran his hand through his bangs lightly, "What does he have that I don't?"
Keiji's ears suddenly perked up to the sound of a twig snapping in half in the woods. He quickly got to his feet with his hand gripped around his sword on his back, "Who's there?"
"No worries. It's just me," Kisho said as he crawled out from the low trees.
"I should have known by the fowl stench of dog."
Kisho sniffed himself, "I think I have a more pine smell to me."
"Stop acting like an idiot."
Kisho squatted down in the dirt, "Why don't you lighten up?"
"Did you come out here to give me a lecture?"
"No, I was just worried. You are my friend and-"
"Whoa, back the pity talk up. Did you just say I was your friend?"
"Well yeah-"
"Well I'm not. Got that!"
"What's wrong with you?"
Keiji stood up and began walking away, "Nothing...just leave me alone."
Kisho was silent as he watched Keiji walked off into the night.
Keiji had both his fist clenched as he walked away. He didn't understand why he felt so angry towards Kisho. He was only trying to be nice, right? Keiji stopped walking and looked over his shoulder, gazing at the darkness he just walked out of. It was Kisho's birthday after all and maybe..., "I can't believe I'm thinking about being nice to him."
"Silly child...you dare turn on your own feelings?" a female voice said from behind.
Keiji quickly turned back around with his sword drawn, "Don't move any closer."
She smiled lightly as she stared at him. Her hair light haired flowed along her back while two curled horns rested perfectly on her head. Her dark eyes focused on him as he curled his lips in a threatening display. Her smile had a strange feeling to it. Keiji's instincts told him that she was no to be trusted. She opened her arms up as she began to speak, "I'm only giving a fellow youkai some advice."
"Who are you?" Keiji barked.
"I'm Hitsuji. The Sheep guardian."
"So, you're one of them. Well you better get moving before I slice your little head off."
"I doubt you will after you hear what I have to say."
Keiji tilted his head slightly, curious in what she was hinting at, "Speak quickly then."
"The one you call Kouga, your father. I know where he is and I'm willing to give him back to you for a trade."
Keiji's eyes lit up to the sound of his fathers' name, "Trade?"
"Yes...hand over the Inu son. In exchange for the wolf."
"Kisho..."
"Yes," she smiled wickedly. She could tell by his expression that he was actually thinking of betraying all the others.
Keiji was torn in what to do. He wanted to see his father again, right? All he had to do was hand Kisho over and that was that. He could care less about the mutt, but then why did he feel so torn in doing it. Keiji dropped his sword as he grabbed his head with both hands, "Why do I feel like this!?"
"Because you are weak..." she began to laugh at how Keiji began to submit to his feelings.
Keiji couldn't take it anymore and he sprinted off up the mountain. Hitsuji watched as a cloud of dust blew towards her, "So, we are going to try and play a game of chase?"
Keiji ran as fast as he could up the mountain. He wanted to get away from everything and everyone around him. He kept running until he finally he neared the barrier. He could feel his powers begin to wade as he moved closer. The air felt heavier and even his legs could hardly move. He fell down to his knee's panting.
"You ran so far only to fall," Hitsuji said as she appeared out of barrier.
"How did you?"
"It's Naraku's barrier and I can move freely around this mountain. Foolish boy, did you think I'd just let you get away? I think I'll take your head as well to trade with Naraku. He would be most pleased since you have the shard in your leg."
Keiji growled as he looked up at her from the ground. He couldn't do a thing since he was too close to the barrier. She lifted her hand up and her horns on her head transformed into a large sword, "Don't move now. I don't want to make a big mess."
Keiji dug his hands into the dirt as he shut his eyes. She swung the sword down, but something was wrong. Her sword had missed Keiji just by a breath as it came crashing down near his fingers.
Keiji slowly opened his eyes to see Kisho balancing on the swords edge. His claws were digging into the sword for balance, while his chest rose up and down rapidly. The barrier was effecting even him, but Kisho seemed to have pushed through the pain somehow.
"You," Hitsuji said her voice filled with hate for the Inu, since Naraku has grown bitter over the days since no one has succeeded in catching him.
Kisho smirked, "Nice to see you...uh who ever you are."
"Kisho...why did you come? We're not friends." Keiji weakly said as he lifted his head slowly up.
Kisho looked slightly to Keiji with a light smile, "I know, but I still consider you as my friend. I'm not going to let anyone pound you into the ground, but me."
Hitsuji let go of the sword and she leaped forwards Kisho, "You two make me sick!" She spun around as she neared Kisho and she kicked him square in the chest. Kisho went flying off the sword towards the barrier. His body hit against the invisible wall and he began to feel the sharp pain of the magic. The pain coursed through his youkai blood as he struggled to get off the painful barrier.
"Ahh! This is just like the one that was on the well!" Kisho shook his head back and forth in pain, still trying to get off the barrier.
Hitsuji grabbed her sword and ran towards Kisho, "I don't care if I kill you. As long as your dead then you'll be the end of our problems!"
Kisho's eyes began to glow red as he watched Hitsuji run towards him. Before Hitsuji even got a chance to raise her sword Keiji tackled her against the ground snapping Kisho out of his strange trance.
Hitsuji backhand Keiji across the face, knocking him backwards against the ground, "You fool! I thought you hated him. Why would you save him?! Do you not want to see your father again?"
Keiji used his elbows to slowly get back up, "He's my friend...as much as I hate to admit it. He is my only friend and I can't betray him like that."
Kisho fell through the barrier with a thump suddenly. Hitsuji turned to face the fallen Kisho, "Human?"
Kisho had managed to focus just long enough to transform into his human form. He laid there still a bit stunned by the shock he received from the barrier.
"Fools...all of you are fools!" she yelled in her frustration.
"You're the fool. Nothing can stop us!" Keiji had used his speed to grab her own sword before she even noticed. Somehow Keiji had over came the pain of the barrier in order to save himself and Kisho. He swung the sword at such incredible speeds that he sliced right through her without much effort. Hitsuji's body slowly began to turn to dust as she stumbled back, "Naraku can stop you...your so called savior will fall just like so many others."
Her remains blew away as the wind whispered by. Keiji dropped the sword as it turned back into two horns. He snorted to it and he looked towards Kisho. He couldn't get any closer because of the barrier, "Kisho? Are you dead?"
Kisho slowly began to get up, "No not yet. Sorry to disappoint you."
Keiji let out a sigh of relief, "Come on lets get out of here birthday boy. I'm sure everyone is worried."
Kisho jogged after Keiji, "Hey don't forget your own sword."
"Where have you two been?" Shippo demanded as Keiji and Kisho walked out of the woods.
"I went for a walk and I ran into him. Ok?" Keiji said as sat down on one of the logs.
"Why are you two so dirty? Did you two wrestle in the dirt again?" Shippo wondered out loud as he glanced to them both.
"You make it sound so perverted, Shippo," Kisho said as he thumped Shippo on the head with his knuckles.
"Here Kisho we both got you something," Sango said as she and Kyoko handed him a charm. Kyoko had managed to make the charm real quick out of on of the rocks in the stream while Sango had help decorate the little charm.
"Oh, wow thank you. I'll be sure to keep to close," he smiled to them both as he placed the charm in his shirt pocket.
"So what did you get him, Keiji?" Shippo said as he elbowed Keiji in his side.
Keiji sighed as he tossed the two horns from earlier into the air for Kisho, "A souvenir."
Kisho caught them both as he smiled to Keiji, "Thanks."
Everyone stared at the two while Shippo scratched his head, "I don't get it."
Coming of Age
((Author Note: This Chapter is mixed with a bit of comedy and some serious emotions. It's shorter then the past chapters so enjoy for now.))
Chapter 10: Kisho's Birthday
"I wonder what's taking them so long?" Kyoko asked out loud as she took a stick to stir the fire.
"Ah, who cares. They can take care of themselves," Keiji said as he laid next to the fire with his hands behind his head.
"I know that. It's just we don't know what Naraku is planning. He might have something in stored for them. Have you even tried thinking about that?"
"I try not to think to much."
Kyoko grew stiff as she stared at her brother across the fire, "I've notice. That's what got us in this problem in the first place. You were the one-"
"Shut up!" Keiji yelled as he sat up growling at his sister, "What do you know?!"
"I was there. Why do you think we have so many injuries? Why do you think father is gone from us?"
Keiji leaped over the fire and tackled Kyoko against the ground. The two siblings struggled against each other for a moment before Keiji pinned Kyoko against the ground. He was stronger physically out of the two and it didn't take much to keep her pinned. His claws pressed against her throat as a deep growl rumbled in his throat, "You listen to me. I know you blame me for what happened, but it wasn't my fault and you know that."
Kyoko turned her head the other way to ignore him. Keiji was hitting his breaking point now and he was about to threaten her again, but before he got his chance Kisho leaped out of no where and tackled him against the ground.
Kyoko quickly got back to her feet as she stared at the boys rolling across the ground struggling for dominance, "Kisho!?"
Tora leaped down from the sky and landed right next to her, "Yup that's Kisho and I'm Tora." Kirara mewed as she fell from the skies and landed in Tora's arm, "Oops and this is Kirara."
Kyoko sighed as she rubbed her head, "Tora as much as I enjoy your company can you try to stay on track here. Look at them," she pointed to Keiji and Kisho still fighting it out on the ground.
Tora just waved his hand at the scene, "They're just two growing boys. Let them get it out."
"They're not normal boys! They're youkai!"
"Well technically Keiji is a youkai...or half since you two claim to be Kagome's kids and Kisho is less then that."
Kyoko slapped her hand against her face, "Tora..."
Kisho used his legs and thrusted Keiji away from him. Keiji landed perfectly on all fours, "You're lucky I don't have my sword in my hand."
Kisho rubbed his cheek where Keiji had managed to land a punch, "Well why don't you scurry off to get it because I have mine right here."
"Stop taunting me you low life."
"Low life? Ha, I believe I'm stronger then you."
Keiji growled, "I doubt that."
"Well I just saw how strong you were. So you can pin a helpless women against the ground. Let me congratulate you on that. Is that how your dad made you?"
Keiji's face grew red with anger, "Don't you dare insult my father!"
"I just did. You shouldn't try to hurt your own sister like that so you deserved every bit."
"I'll show you. You bastard."
Keiji lowered his body slightly as he prepared to sprint towards Kisho. His legs burst forward as the Shikon Jewel fueled each and every step until he grew faster and faster with each passing moment. Kisho must had known Keiji was going to attempt a speed attack of some kind because he was already leaping into the air to avoid him. Keiji also knew that Kisho was going to attempt some kind of leap to avoid him. He raised his hand up as he ran towards Kisho and grabbed him by the ankle. With a tight grip he threw Kisho against the ground.
Kisho laid there against the ground trying to catch his breath. He slowly began to get up again, but Keiji leaped on him with his claws extended forward. Kisho laid there pinned as he stared up at Keiji.
"Who's strong now you little puppy?"
"Me," Kisho said with a grin on his face. He leaned forward and bit Keiji's hand.
"Ah!!!" Keiji tried to pull away, but Kisho's fangs sank into his skin making it even more painful each time he tried to pull away,"Let go!!"
Kisho didn't say anything as he kept his jaws locked in place. Keiji sank his claws into Kisho's shoulder to try to weaken Kisho's hold on him. The two were in a deadlock as they just stood there biting and clawing each other now.
"What the? Tora, shouldn't you be stopping them?" Shippo said as he slowly walked towards the group carrying Sango.
Tora looked over his shoulder, "I figured I should just let them fight it out."
Sango looked over to the two fighting boys, "I don't think its going to stop like that."
Kyoko slowly walked over to the two, "Would you two just stop? Keiji I'm sorry, ok? I didn't mean it. You know how I get, I just miss how things use to be."
Keiji and Kisho both looked at her and then each other. The nodded their heads slightly, agreeing on a truce. Keiji lifted his hand up slowly while Kisho opened his mouth. They both leaped away quickly from each other rubbing their wounds.
'I hope I don't get some sort of wolf disease,' Kisho said to himself as he rubbed his shoulder slightly.
'I hope I don't get some sort of moron disease from that stupid mutt," Keiji said to himself as he sat hunched over on a rock.
"Kirara!" Sango said happily as the little fire cat leaped out from Tora's arms to be embraced by her.
"She's safe and sound. The barrier just made her sleep the entire time. She insisted that we ride her here. I thought she might have been tired."
Sango laughed lightly, "She likes to help out."
"She also likes Kisho."
There was a long silence as everyone stared at Kisho who was still rubbing his shoulder, but the silence was soon broken by a burst of laughter.
"Imagine those two getting together," Shippo said as he began to think about it.
Kisho threw a rock at Shippo, "Stop thinking about stuff like that."
"That's very sweet...in a strange way," Kyoko said as she sat down by the fire.
Kisho remained silent since he didn't know how to react to all this. He just walked over to the fire to sit with everyone else.
Everyone except Keiji sat around the fire eating. Keiji was still angry at Kisho for biting him and he was just letting some steam off by sitting by himself.
"So, you and Keiji didn't find anything?" Tora asked as he finished eating the last of his rice.
"Not a thing...there is a strange barrier up ahead though, but it was to strong for us to get any closer. I don't think youkai or hanyou can get near it."
"Maybe I can get near it. My blood doesn't have as much youkai as you guys," Kisho said as he stared at the flames in the fire, "I'm not afraid..."
"I'm sure you're not, but let's not decided just yet. We'll see this barrier for ourselves in the morning," Tora said with a yawn. He rested his head against his arm as he smiled with content, "Ah, its good to have a stomach full of food."
Shippo nodded as he suddenly dropped his bowl, "I can't believe I almost forgot!
"Forgot, what?" Sango asked as Kirara tilted her head at Shippo.
Shippo began searching through his pockets looking for something. Keiji looked slightly back to see what was going on. Shippo patted his cloths to see if he could find the object that he was searching for, "I know it's here somewhere....hmm oh here it is!"
Shippo reached into one of his side pockets and pulled out a picture, "This is for you Kisho. For your birthday."
Kisho blinked lightly, "How did you know its my birthday?"
"I remember the day when everyone disappeared and that's when you were born."
'I don't know if I should be flattered or upset...' Kisho said to himself. He reached out to take the picture from Shippo. He leaned a bit closer to the fire so he could see the image better, "Wow..." Kisho said softly as he gazed at an image of his parents. It was taken without them knowing since Shippo tended to sneak a peak at the happy couple when they were alone. It wasn't like he was the only one spying on them. Sango and Miroku tended to join in on the spying as well.
"They look so happy..." Kisho said sadly, but he covered it up quickly as he smiled to Shippo, "Thank you."
"This is for you too Kisho," Tora said as he pulled out a bracelet from his pocket, "It's made from Tiger bones. A good luck charm, it should protect you when you need it the most."
Kisho held out his hand as Tora placed the gift down, "Wow, thanks Tora. I'll put it on right now."
"I wonder what everyone else got you," Tora looked around to see that they were the only ones sitting there.
"Uh, where did they all go?" Kisho asked, as he looked around confused.
"I can't believe I forgot, Kirara!"
Kirara mewed up to Sango as they walked through the woods.
"After all he's done for me I don't even get him a birthday gift. Gah!"
Kyoko and Keiji were down by a small steam having the same conversation.
"Keiji, what should we do? We didn't even get Kisho anything..."
Keiji threw a rock into the water, "Let's get him a pile crap."
"Keiji..."
"Oh you're right Kyoko. He's already full of crap as it is. Wouldn't want to add to it."
"I don't get why you don't like him. He does his best..."
Keiji clutched his fist, "Because...he's like us almost. Our father is missing and so is our mother, but no one gives a damn about us! All they care about is Kisho! It just makes me sick."
Kyoko never really viewed the situation like that and she opened her mouth to say something but Keiji raised his hand up to stop her, "Don't say anything. I'm going for a walk. Have fun finding Kisho a rock for his birthday."
Keiji walked deep into the woods for a few minutes before, he looked over his shoulder to make sure Kyoko wasn't following him. Once he was certain she wasn't following him he sat down on a dead log, "Why do I feel like this? Why do I have to feel so...jealous?"
He ran his hand through his bangs lightly, "What does he have that I don't?"
Keiji's ears suddenly perked up to the sound of a twig snapping in half in the woods. He quickly got to his feet with his hand gripped around his sword on his back, "Who's there?"
"No worries. It's just me," Kisho said as he crawled out from the low trees.
"I should have known by the fowl stench of dog."
Kisho sniffed himself, "I think I have a more pine smell to me."
"Stop acting like an idiot."
Kisho squatted down in the dirt, "Why don't you lighten up?"
"Did you come out here to give me a lecture?"
"No, I was just worried. You are my friend and-"
"Whoa, back the pity talk up. Did you just say I was your friend?"
"Well yeah-"
"Well I'm not. Got that!"
"What's wrong with you?"
Keiji stood up and began walking away, "Nothing...just leave me alone."
Kisho was silent as he watched Keiji walked off into the night.
Keiji had both his fist clenched as he walked away. He didn't understand why he felt so angry towards Kisho. He was only trying to be nice, right? Keiji stopped walking and looked over his shoulder, gazing at the darkness he just walked out of. It was Kisho's birthday after all and maybe..., "I can't believe I'm thinking about being nice to him."
"Silly child...you dare turn on your own feelings?" a female voice said from behind.
Keiji quickly turned back around with his sword drawn, "Don't move any closer."
She smiled lightly as she stared at him. Her hair light haired flowed along her back while two curled horns rested perfectly on her head. Her dark eyes focused on him as he curled his lips in a threatening display. Her smile had a strange feeling to it. Keiji's instincts told him that she was no to be trusted. She opened her arms up as she began to speak, "I'm only giving a fellow youkai some advice."
"Who are you?" Keiji barked.
"I'm Hitsuji. The Sheep guardian."
"So, you're one of them. Well you better get moving before I slice your little head off."
"I doubt you will after you hear what I have to say."
Keiji tilted his head slightly, curious in what she was hinting at, "Speak quickly then."
"The one you call Kouga, your father. I know where he is and I'm willing to give him back to you for a trade."
Keiji's eyes lit up to the sound of his fathers' name, "Trade?"
"Yes...hand over the Inu son. In exchange for the wolf."
"Kisho..."
"Yes," she smiled wickedly. She could tell by his expression that he was actually thinking of betraying all the others.
Keiji was torn in what to do. He wanted to see his father again, right? All he had to do was hand Kisho over and that was that. He could care less about the mutt, but then why did he feel so torn in doing it. Keiji dropped his sword as he grabbed his head with both hands, "Why do I feel like this!?"
"Because you are weak..." she began to laugh at how Keiji began to submit to his feelings.
Keiji couldn't take it anymore and he sprinted off up the mountain. Hitsuji watched as a cloud of dust blew towards her, "So, we are going to try and play a game of chase?"
Keiji ran as fast as he could up the mountain. He wanted to get away from everything and everyone around him. He kept running until he finally he neared the barrier. He could feel his powers begin to wade as he moved closer. The air felt heavier and even his legs could hardly move. He fell down to his knee's panting.
"You ran so far only to fall," Hitsuji said as she appeared out of barrier.
"How did you?"
"It's Naraku's barrier and I can move freely around this mountain. Foolish boy, did you think I'd just let you get away? I think I'll take your head as well to trade with Naraku. He would be most pleased since you have the shard in your leg."
Keiji growled as he looked up at her from the ground. He couldn't do a thing since he was too close to the barrier. She lifted her hand up and her horns on her head transformed into a large sword, "Don't move now. I don't want to make a big mess."
Keiji dug his hands into the dirt as he shut his eyes. She swung the sword down, but something was wrong. Her sword had missed Keiji just by a breath as it came crashing down near his fingers.
Keiji slowly opened his eyes to see Kisho balancing on the swords edge. His claws were digging into the sword for balance, while his chest rose up and down rapidly. The barrier was effecting even him, but Kisho seemed to have pushed through the pain somehow.
"You," Hitsuji said her voice filled with hate for the Inu, since Naraku has grown bitter over the days since no one has succeeded in catching him.
Kisho smirked, "Nice to see you...uh who ever you are."
"Kisho...why did you come? We're not friends." Keiji weakly said as he lifted his head slowly up.
Kisho looked slightly to Keiji with a light smile, "I know, but I still consider you as my friend. I'm not going to let anyone pound you into the ground, but me."
Hitsuji let go of the sword and she leaped forwards Kisho, "You two make me sick!" She spun around as she neared Kisho and she kicked him square in the chest. Kisho went flying off the sword towards the barrier. His body hit against the invisible wall and he began to feel the sharp pain of the magic. The pain coursed through his youkai blood as he struggled to get off the painful barrier.
"Ahh! This is just like the one that was on the well!" Kisho shook his head back and forth in pain, still trying to get off the barrier.
Hitsuji grabbed her sword and ran towards Kisho, "I don't care if I kill you. As long as your dead then you'll be the end of our problems!"
Kisho's eyes began to glow red as he watched Hitsuji run towards him. Before Hitsuji even got a chance to raise her sword Keiji tackled her against the ground snapping Kisho out of his strange trance.
Hitsuji backhand Keiji across the face, knocking him backwards against the ground, "You fool! I thought you hated him. Why would you save him?! Do you not want to see your father again?"
Keiji used his elbows to slowly get back up, "He's my friend...as much as I hate to admit it. He is my only friend and I can't betray him like that."
Kisho fell through the barrier with a thump suddenly. Hitsuji turned to face the fallen Kisho, "Human?"
Kisho had managed to focus just long enough to transform into his human form. He laid there still a bit stunned by the shock he received from the barrier.
"Fools...all of you are fools!" she yelled in her frustration.
"You're the fool. Nothing can stop us!" Keiji had used his speed to grab her own sword before she even noticed. Somehow Keiji had over came the pain of the barrier in order to save himself and Kisho. He swung the sword at such incredible speeds that he sliced right through her without much effort. Hitsuji's body slowly began to turn to dust as she stumbled back, "Naraku can stop you...your so called savior will fall just like so many others."
Her remains blew away as the wind whispered by. Keiji dropped the sword as it turned back into two horns. He snorted to it and he looked towards Kisho. He couldn't get any closer because of the barrier, "Kisho? Are you dead?"
Kisho slowly began to get up, "No not yet. Sorry to disappoint you."
Keiji let out a sigh of relief, "Come on lets get out of here birthday boy. I'm sure everyone is worried."
Kisho jogged after Keiji, "Hey don't forget your own sword."
"Where have you two been?" Shippo demanded as Keiji and Kisho walked out of the woods.
"I went for a walk and I ran into him. Ok?" Keiji said as sat down on one of the logs.
"Why are you two so dirty? Did you two wrestle in the dirt again?" Shippo wondered out loud as he glanced to them both.
"You make it sound so perverted, Shippo," Kisho said as he thumped Shippo on the head with his knuckles.
"Here Kisho we both got you something," Sango said as she and Kyoko handed him a charm. Kyoko had managed to make the charm real quick out of on of the rocks in the stream while Sango had help decorate the little charm.
"Oh, wow thank you. I'll be sure to keep to close," he smiled to them both as he placed the charm in his shirt pocket.
"So what did you get him, Keiji?" Shippo said as he elbowed Keiji in his side.
Keiji sighed as he tossed the two horns from earlier into the air for Kisho, "A souvenir."
Kisho caught them both as he smiled to Keiji, "Thanks."
Everyone stared at the two while Shippo scratched his head, "I don't get it."