Chapter 9

(Shinta)

I was quietly walking beside Sano, Kensei napping in my arms, when I sensed something was wrong. I glanced around me, unconsciously tightening my grip on my son. "Sano…Something's not right…"

He looked at me. "What? What do you mean?"

I moved closer to him, clutching Kensei to my chest. "Something's out there…" I cursed myself mentally. Why had I agreed to travel at night? I hated moving during the night, it was easier in my mind for people to sneak up on us.

He blinked, looking around. "Really? Are you sure?"

I nodded, narrowing my eyes. "There is something following us, watching us…" I could feel my fangs lengthening as my demon nature grew agitated. I felt my demon blood begin to boil and a growl echoed from my throat.

Sano cracked his knuckles slightly, moving closer to me. "Well, we're ready for them. Kensei alright?"

I nodded. "Still sleeping. Let's hope we can leave it that way."

We stood back to back in the woods, both of us watching anxiously for any sign of someone around us. I felt Kensei begin to squirm against my chest, a whimper sounding in my sensitive ears. I swore inwardly, rocking him gently and trying to keep him quiet. "Shhh baby, please…" I murmured.

He didn't listen to me, he was going to wake up, and he was going to wake up with a bang. He began to wail, waving his arms, his tiny hands clenched into fists. I heard Sano swear as I rocked Kensei, trying to get him to calm down.

It was then that the figure showed himself. It was Enishi who stepped from the woods, a grin on his face as he saw me and my son. "Well what do we have here?"

Sano put himself between me and Enishi, narrowing his eyes and crouching into a defensive position. "Stay away from us Enishi!"

He grinned. "Why should I?" He looked around Sano to me, glancing at Kensei. I tucked my son to my chest, hiding him from Enishi's view and glaring at the much taller man. "Why are you hiding him, boy? I should have the right to see my child."

I grinned at that comment. "Well then, you'll be disappointed. Kensei is not your son. Sano is the father of my baby, not you."

I could see the shock clearly in Enishi's icy eyes, but he shed it easily. "I'm surprised to see that you survived the birth."

I stood taller. "It was too close to sunrise, you timed it wrong. The sun saved my life." Enishi took a step forward and I couldn't help the growl that echoed from my throat. "Stay back Enishi."

He raised his eyebrows a bit. "Ooo, you seem to have developed a backbone in my absence." He took another step. "We'll have to change that."

I could feel my demon blood rising in my consciousness, distaste, hate and rage rising in me along with it. My claws began to grow out, and I bared my teeth in a snarl. "Stay away from my son."

He blinked at the sight of my fangs and brandished claws. I held Kensei protectively in the crook of my right arm, my left hand up and ready to strike at Enishi should he come any closer to me.

Sano still took a step between the two of us, fists ready. Enishi flew at him, fists flying and trying to get to me. I hurriedly took off my outer kimono, slinging Kensei in it and giving myself better movement, as well as the freedom of not having Kensei with me. My son whimpered and I kissed his forehead gently, knowing that I had to do this. Enishi needed to be showed that I could stand up to him, that I was no longer afraid of him. I had confidence; I had a reason to live.

As Sano was flung back I thrust Kensei into his arms, brandishing fangs and claws at Enishi as I sprang forward to meet him.

(Sano)

I suddenly found myself with my arms full of a wiggling Kensei as Shinta leapt past me to meet Enishi head on in midair. I let out a shout of horror, but it was wasted. I watched in surprise as Shinta fought with Enishi.

My kodora had become a whirlwind of fangs and claws, meeting Enishi every step of the way with some wounding attack. The man was soon littered with claw marks and bleeding puncture wounds from Shinta's teeth and nails.

Enishi fell back from the battle, wiping a dribble of blood away from a spot above his eyebrow where Shinta had managed to catch him with his claws. He was breathing heavily, staring at Shinta in shock. "What has happened to you?"

Shinta grinned, the blood staining his fangs, chin, and claws making him seem even more menacing. I hid Kensei from the sight, keeping him turned to my chest and away from the battle. Shinta laughed slightly. "I can stand up to you Enishi. Now I repeat my former words. Stay away from my son, and my family. I will not ask again."

Enishi growled slightly. "You are MINE! I can do what I wish!"

As he jumped for Shinta my redhead drew back a hand, and then thrust it forward as Enishi came towards him. The next thing was something I would never forget. There was a great tearing sound, and then Enishi's dying gurgles. I looked to see Enishi lying on the ground, his throat torn out by Shinta's claws.

My kodora, however, was standing over him, staring at his hands in horror. I watched as he backed away from Enishi's body, turning and throwing up violently on the ground. I went forward, putting a gentle hand on his back.

Tears fell down his cheeks steadily, and he was shaking horribly. He was frantically wiping his hands on the grass, trying to wipe the blood away from his skin. I set a wriggling Kensei down next to me, taking out my waterskin and pouring it over his hands, cleaning the blood from his skin. He stared at his clean hands, shock still in his violet eyes. I made him drink what was left, and then I held his face. "Shinta, speak to me. It's okay kodora, everything's okay."

He shook his head frantically. "I just killed a man! Everything is not okay!"

I put my forehead against his. "You were doing it to protect Kensei. You know as well as I that if he had been left alive he would have come back, maybe even taken you or Kensei from me." He sniffled, but nodded slightly.

It was Kensei's cry that tore him out of his stupor. He picked up the crying bundle, cradling Kensei to his chest. "I'm so sorry Kensei!" he cried, rocking the baby. "It's okay; nothing's going to happen to you… I've got you now… Everything's okay…"

I nodded, hugging him and my son. "That's right Shinta, everything's okay now." I led them away from the scene, and on to where I knew the cabin stood, the one that had been waiting for us this whole time. It was ahead, and not very far. Only another few days walk and we would be there, and then we could begin setting up our lives.

Wow… This one was even shorter. The next will come soon!