Chapter 23

Seishi had almost forgot what it was like to be on her own traveling again… The nights in the open were cold and lonely without Jaken being annoying and Rin warmly snuggled up beside her. She resorted to sleeping in trees to keep from lesser demons sneaking up on her. Not that she couldn't still defend herself; weaponless or not… but best safe then sorry.

Thus far she had no luck finding this Mt. Borehime so far… she had built up the nerve to ask any humans or non hostile seeming demons she came across. So far as far as any of them who were brave enough not to scatter at first sight of her knew, it was farther south.

She was feeling rather lost after a few weeks of wandering around, a lot of the country she was in now was unfamiliar since Sesshoumaru never took them this far south very often. She was getting rather forlorn when she over heard what sounded like playful yelps.

Curious, she sniffed the air, caught the smell of wolf… normal wolves and a wolf demon… maybe they could give her some idea of where to go… she moved toward the scent and the sound, finding herself stepping out into a clearing… The playful barks turned into growls as a black and white wolf turned their attention onto her… well the black one, a female, was the one growling, the large white one, who seemed male, just looked at her curiously.

"Kuroi, what'cha you growling at?" A girl's voice called, Seishi glanced around but didn't see anyone until a figure shifted and sat up in the tall grass where she had been laying. She was a young female wolf demon, just barely into her maturity; her brunette hair was long and rather untamed going every which way. She had red eyes as bright as jewels, but as far as Seishi saw, there was no malice in them… on the contrary this girl gave Seishi the impression of total innocence.

"Oh hello," the wolf demon girl blinked at Seishi, "Kuroi, if she meant harm she would have done something by now. Stop being such a meanie." She then scolded the black lesser wolf.

Seishi watched as the wolf demon jumped to her feet. She was dressed in white pelts… Kagome once told Seishi about her friend Kouga who was a prince of a wolf demon tribe, his people wore brown pelts, so this girl was from another tribe. The girl had asked Seishi something, but Seishi had been in her own thoughts and hadn't registered it. "Pardon?" Seishi asked.

"I asked if you needed something." The girl repeated, in her hands were flower crowns a child might make, she had one sitting on her brown hair as well.

"Oh… um actually yes… I wanted to ask you if you might know of a Mt. Borehime and if you knew around where I could find it… I haven't had much luck… so far all I know is it's down here in the south." Seishi explained.

The wolf girl tilted her head, "Mt. Borehime?" she looked like she was thinking about it rather intently… then she said rather cheerfully, "Nope, sorry, I've never heard of it." She had such a bright smile on her face Seishi almost fell over. "Shiro, you leave her be."

"Oh well, thanks anyway, sorry for bothering you…" Seishi held out a hand for the white male wolf, Shiro, to sniff since he came close to get an idea of her.

"Oh no bother, my name is Hana, I'm from the Northern Wolf Tribe," Hana explained, "If you were looking for a mountain in the North I could probably have helped you." She (n.n) smiled again…

Seishi was about to turn to go, but curiosity caught her, "Please excuse, but if you are from the Northern Tribe, why are you so far south?"

Hana's bright expression lessened some; "There has been a lot of strange things going on up north… we were chased from our lands by a demon devouring oni that smelt like something dug up in a grave sight. Until things calm down in the north, Princess Ayame and her grandfather, our Elder, decided we'd take up temporary dens down here."

Seishi frowned, "Oh I see…" Part of her longed to go investigate… but she shook that… the old Seishi would run off to see what was going on and see if she could help… but the current Seishi had no confidence in herself and was left without her sword. "I'm sorry to hear about you being chased from your home. I hope you the best…"

Seishi turned to go, but then Hana called out, "You know, maybe our Elder will know of your Mt. Borehime. He is much more knowing then I am." The wolf girl's bright smile returned. The black and white wolves moved back and sat on their hunches by the girl's feet.

Seishi hesitated, and then turned back, "Do you think he'd mind? I don't want to intrude."

Hana giggled, "I am sure it will be fine, follow us!" The brunette wolf girl turned and started off… Seishi blinked, then had to chase after… wolves were known for their endurance for long runs and often speed, though Seishi's surpassed this little wolf girls, but then again, she was a greater dog demon.

Seishi was surprised at finding they were running for miles… she even started to feel a little weary when Hana finally slowed down and they came across some cliffs overlooking another grassy meadow that broke into trees of a small valley.

"Lyra-chan!" Hana called, waving her arm. Up on some rocks, an older blond wolf demoness narrowed her eyes down on Hana and her guest. Seishi ignored the hard blue gaze that was locked on her as Hana lead her up a near invisible trail. "Ky-chan!" Hana called to a raven haired wolf demoness sitting with a spear on another rock… this one had been half asleep, but when they approached and Hana called a greeting, she jerked awake, blinking ruby eyes and looking at them. The two white lesser wolves that had been lying around the base of the rock perked their ears at Hana and the strange dog demoness with her.

Seishi felt rather strange with all these eyes on her… a lot had a hint of dislike or suspicion. Seishi tired to give off as little air of power as she could… she just wanted to ask their elder about the mountain, then leave.

Inside the den, Ayame wiped her he mouth off with he wrist as she just finished her share of the fresh kill they had caught a short while ago. She was thinking of curling up to have a nap when he keen nose caught the scent of her packmate, Hana, returning as well as a scent she did not recognize. He quickly hopped to her feet and made he way outside. She blinked slightly as the sunlight hit her eyes. But she didn't need to see their guest to tell that it was a female inu youkai, and a high level one at that. Once her eyes adjusted to the light she put her hands on her hips and addressed the two. "Welcome back Hana, I assume you have a good reason for bringing a dog to our den."

Hana put a hand behind her head and gave their princess a cute smile, "Hai, Ayame-sama. She's a bit lost and she wants to ask the elder if he may know of the place she's seeking. She's seems nice enough… Shiro likes her… and Kuroi doesn't dislike her as much as she usually would… And you know they are good judges of people." The two mentioned wolves stood on either side of Hana.

Ayame debated on what her subordinate had just told her. Ask the elder... that would mean letting her into the actual den itself. A very risky thing to do, especially when the demon in question was quite powerful. If she turned on them, it could take the entire pack to repel her. Still this demon didn't seem to look very threatening and Hana's two familiars were rarely wrong with judging character. Ayame narrowed her eyes at Seishi, "Very well, you can come in for just a moment. But make one wrong move and we won't hesitate to kill you."

Seishi nodded, "I understand. I don't intend to stay long, but any information your elder might provide would be very helpful." Hana was just smiling her bright smile and skipped on into the den. Seishi sweatdropped at the young demons energy and followed at a calmer pace.

Ayame sweatdropped slightly as Hana skipped by, 'I wish I could be that carefree,' she thought to herself following the duo back into the den keeping a sharp eye on Seishi.

Hana stopped just outside of the section of the den where the elder rested. She sat down next to the wall, putting an arm around Shiro as he came and sat next to her. She could hear what was said from here but would be out of the way. Seishi looked over at her guide, and then glanced at the one she called Ayame.

Ayame took a seat next to her grandfather, the elder. The elder slowly rest up from where he had been resting and sat back on his haunches. His eyes didn't work too well anymore but his nose told him all he needed to know. "Well, what business does a dog have with the white wolf tribe?"

"Respected Elder of the White Wolf Tribe," Seishi knelled down respectfully… she was not too proud to show respect. "My name is Seishi and I'm seeking a place called Mt. Borehime to find a sage by the name of Sakaju. All I know is that it's somewhere in the south, but I don't know Japan very well as I have only been staying in this country a little over a year or so. I merely wished to ask if you may know anything of this mountain and if you could give me better directions then that it's somewhere in the south…"

The elder was quiet for a moment, "Mt Borehime... I won't ask you your reasons for going there for they are you own but I feel I should warn you for that place is cursed. It is regarded by many to be a forbidden mountain. Are you sure you still wish to go?"

Seishi gave him a small, sad smile, "Yes… I need to."

The elder nodded, "then you may find the mountain to the south east. Travel by night using the Hydra constellation as you guide. You should reach it in two days travel through the southern swamps. I will send Ayame and Hana with you for the southern swamps are not be traveled alone."

Ayame's jaw dropped at her grandfather's words, "Grandfather! Why must I go with her! I am needed here in case-"

The elder promptly cut Ayame off, "Enough Ayame... Things are not so desperate that we will miss you for a few days, and until we receive word from Kouga we cannot return to the northern lands. Right now we have nothing but time."

Seishi looked at the grizzled old wolf, "Elder, that is too kind, but I could not ask you to part with two of your tribe to accompany me. I am sure I can find my way, and Hana has told me of how your tribe has suffered. I merely came to ask for information, I did not wish to burden."

The elder shook his head, "There is no burden, and I fear my tribe will become fat and lazy if they continue to lay around in this den. I would also warn not to underestimate the trial that lie before you. My subordinates will escort you to the mountain, but only that far. As I said before Mt. Borehime is a forbidden place." The elder then lowered himself back to the ground and curl up, signifying that the conversation was over

Seishi knew when she was being dismissed… she sighed and stood up to leave. She looked over at the red haired wolf princess. Then she just turned and started out the way they came... Hana jumped up to follow.

Ayame got to her feet and followed the other two outside. She would never disobey an order from her grandfather, but he wasn't sure why he had taken a sudden liking to the she dog.

Inside the den, unbeknownst to anyone else a blush spread across the elder muzzle. 'That she dog had the biggest rack I've ever seen,' he thought to himself.

Hana was bouncing about, "We get to go on a little trip, yay." Shiro and Kuroi were moving about to avoid being stepped on by their energetic mistress.

Seishi looked at Ayame, "I apologize for unconvincing you. I only came to ask for directions, honestly."

Ayame shrugged it off. "Don't worry about it. I've been kinda lazy lately, and I could some time away from the den." As they left the wolves's den, three lesser white-coated wolves fell into step near Ayame like a trio of white shadows.

Seishi managed a small smile, "Well then thank you. I was just thinking how lonely it's been traveling by myself."

Hana popped up in front of them, "Come on! Let's go!"

Ayame smiled a little at her friend's exuberance, "My grandfather didn't ask because he felt it wasn't his business. But if we're tagging along with you I feel we have the right to know. Why are you going to Mt. Borehime?"

Seishi sighed, "The sword smith Totosai told me I needed to speak to this sage Sakaju, whom he said lived there… My sword was broken in a battle with the Lord of the Western Lands, Sesshoumaru, and since I'm so far from home, Totosai may be the only one who could repair it. Though I sometimes ask myself if I really want it repaired…" She wasn't going to tell them about the whole being corrupted and killed a whole village of humans' thing…

Ayame listen to Seishi story. She had heard of Sesshoumaru but never met him, and the other demons she had no idea about. "I see, well I hope you can get your sword fixed."

Seishi chuckled, as they started moving… Now that she had met Ayame, she remembered where she had heard the name before, "And I hope you win your wolf prince." Kagome had mentioned Ayame once or twice when they had spoken of Kouga. Seishi had yet to actually meet Kouga, but she had seen him that one time when he had carried Kagome off the first day she met Sesshoumaru.

Ayame blushed at Seishi words, "Wha.. how did you know about Kouga and I?"

Seishi looked forward as they moved, "Kagome has spoken very fondly of Kouga..." looked over at her, "And before you get in a hissy fit, not fondly like that. She has spoken fondly of you both. It'd take a blind man not to see Kagome only has eyes for InuYasha."

Ayame looked down towards the ground as she followed Seishi, "yes... now if only Kouga could see that..."

Seishi sighed, "Males are stubborn… he might already see it but denies it or ignores it. You think he's bad, you try living with a male who is like a block of ice over half the time."

Hana was quiet as she followed along… plucking a flower here and there… she didn't have a male to pine over so she had nothing to contribute. That was ok; she could entertain herself well enough.

Seishi's spirits were lightened some with the company of the fiery Ayame and the energetic Hana. She and Ayame complained about thick skulled males and Hana skipped around chasing butterflies or picking flowers, while her two wolf followers and the three white lesser wolves that followed Ayame spread out and scouted around them as they moved. Seishi still missed Rin, Jake, and Sesshoumaru, but at least now she wasn't totally alone in her travels, even if the wolves would only be with her up to the foot of the mountain.

To Be Continued

Author Note:

Sorry n.n;

I and my co-writer have gotten ourselves busy with this and that and we have been slacking off on writing. Yes, yes I know… Bad Dee, bad. Well I will bug him and try to get at least this arc in the story finished, and get Seishi back to Sesshoumaru and Rin.