Dogsong pt. 3
Aliakai got up and patted the dust and grass from the back of her pants. "We have a long road ahead of us, we should probably get going. The spell that summoned you wont last forever after all, though it should last quite a long time. Inuyasha?"
Distraught, Inuyasha stood up, patting the grass off of his clothes. Her words continued to echo through his mind, clouding his mind and shutting him away from reality. "Because I am the same . . . ." Was she? Could there truly be one who understood him? Who felt the same? Could there truly be hope in this world for a hanyou?
"Inuyasha are you coming?" Her words barely pierced the thick shroud covering his thoughts.
"Yeah, yeah I'm coming." He hiked up the hill, still lost in his own mind, when he noticed she had stopped. Slightly intrigued, he continued on to the top to see what had caught her attention. She stood on the edge of the hill, peering down, and he wondered what was so wonderful when he saw it.
"What a beautiful sunset, and above the lake too . . . isn't it just magical? The water shines with a life of its own. I just love the wonder of it . . . . don't you agree Inuyasha?"
He almost couldn't speak. The water sparkled and glimmered as the small waves came in and out, fascinating him with the ordinary and giving peace to his troubled mind. Yes it was wonderful . . . . . "Its not THAT nice. I have to say though, it is interesting." He looked at her, expecting her to lash out in anger or react in some way, but she merely looked at him and smiled.
"You know, I have a connection with the water. In a way, it's my element . . . . . . Which is kind of weird, considering the fact that I am a panther demon."
"A panther demon?"
"Yes, but for some reason among the tribes I'm known as 'The Raven'. They perform all kinds of ceremonies for me, along with the neighboring demons, but it seems they respect me the most. I guess its because of the fact that I can trick anyone into believing anything . . . .but that still doesn't explain the name. Oh, just so you know, I would never fool you Inuyasha. I am always honest with you, you are my friend."
"You'd better be."Again with the friend word. She really means it, he thought, she really does. He had a friend . . . . . .he never thought it was possible.
Again she merely smiled at him. What a beautiful smile, the warmth and wonder of it, as she stared at him through those endless, cheerful and sorrowful black eyes. Her raven-shadowed hair glistened in the fading sun, and her dark, Indian-like skin shimmered in the waning light. He could look forever at that face, that smile . . .
"Inuyasha, are you all right?" She appeared concerned. No one but his mother had ever looked at him this way before . . . .
"I'm fine, come off it." He looked away from her, though it almost pained him to do so. What was this feeling? Why was his heart pounding? What the hell was going on?
"If you say so." She turned from him, a little unwillingly, and began making her way down the hill's opposite side. He watched her as she slid down the dusty face with catlike grace, losing footing every so often buit pouncing and quickly regaining it much like a cat would. "INUYASHA LOOK OUT!"
Inuyasha ducked, just in time as the strangest creature he had ever seen soared inches above his head. It turned and dived at him again, thick talons grabbing for his ears.
"What the hell is that thing?" It dived once more, this time grazing his arm. He watched the blood as it swelled from the wound. Its not deep, he thought, best not to worry about it.
"An eagle demon. Sworn enemies of my kind, it must think you're a panther too . . . .they carry us off by our ears, because they're the most sensitive parts of our bodies. Of course, I don't have a clan, so I'm not really protected, making me an easy target. That's probably why this one cam after us . . .where one is many will come. We'd better get rid of this one quickly, before the others come to see what it's found . . . ." It was then he noticed them. Small, black ears poking up from her raven-colored hair. Cat ears. Why hadn't he noticed them before?
He barely had time to think about this as it swooped down yet again, grazing his left arm this time to give a matching wound. Yet again not too deep, he paid no notice as he leapt from where he was to a new alcove. This thing just didn't give up! It was the most bizarre creature he had ever seen. Enormous brown wings, each with three eyes in pyramid arrangement, sprouted from the head which also served as a body. The head had two blue, icy eyes and enormous talons as thick as the trunks of young trees. The entire being was covered in brown and white striped feathers. Its beak was black, and opened wide enough to engulf them both in one swipe.
"Inuyasha I think I'll take care of this one if you don't mind." Without giving him a chance to respond, she leapt into the air, transforming to her sleek, black panther demon form and walking on the air as if it were solid. She closed her eyes, a thick blue aura surrounding her. Then he heard it, a soft crash at first, then thundering into a deafening roar as it approached. A humungous wave crashing toward them at speed beyond speed, he doubted even a wolf demon could outrun it.
"Inuyasha! Come over here!" He did as she said, positioning himself below her. "I wont let it hurt us, come to me." He began to rise in the air, taking his place beside her, feeling a little odd standing firm on thin air. "I wont . . . ." She wrapped her arms around him, sheltering him with her wings. A sphere of light surrounded them as the wave came thundering through, wiping out everything in its path and engulfing them both in murky darkness.
……to be continued……
