"We meet again…Kiatsu…" the wolf demon spoke, his tone of voice sounding cold and emotionless, just as it usually did.
"Indeed we do, but this time is going to be different…"
Kura looked at the males who were standing at opposites ends of the den, both shooting evil glares at one another.
"Um, did I miss something?" she asked, tilting her head to one side. It was then that Kiatsu looked over to his friend with sympathetic eyes. She looked back at him with the same look in her own amber orbs, wondering just what he was going to say.
"Actually, you've missed quite a bit. Isamu challenged me to a fight, of which the winner would have you…" The hanyou pup lowered his head, looking depressed and upset with himself for even thinking the way he did. Kura wasn't just some trophy to hand over to the most competent male; she was his friend and deserved the best treatment he could give to her.
Kura looked confused as she shifted her gaze to that of Isamu's. "You lied to me…" she hissed lowly.
The wolf stared down at her as if he didn't know what she was talking about. "What do you mean?" he replied innocently.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about…" she growled.
"Refresh my memory." The truth was, the wolf knew exactly what Kura was talking about but refused to admit it. He couldn't bring himself to tell her that he had lied, especially in front of Kiatsu. If he did, there would be no way in the seven hells that he would have a chance at getting together with her…no way at all…
"You told me that Kiatsu was the one that challenged you…"
"Oh that…"
"Yes, that…" Just by looking at her, you could tell that Kura was far from pleased with the half wolf.
"Well, you know all about that, now don't you?"
"Yes, thanks to you…" Kiatsu looked at his friend, curiousity evident in his intense crimson orbs. Kura then continued to speak. "You told me all about how both you and Kiatsu love me. Well, I believed that part, but the other part was a complete lie. I know that Kiatsu would never challenge someone to a fight over something as simple as love; he has such a kind and caring soul and I know that he would never be able to hurt anyone, even if it is you…" Kiatsu stared wide-eyed at the silvery-haired hanyou, practically speechless and not knowing how to respond to such a beautiful statement.
"Kura…" was the only word that he finally managed to say.
Isamu scoffed. "Heh, just because you think that, doesn't mean your friend will remain that way forever. Everyone changes, humans and demons alike, whether we like it or not. There are times when we change for the better and there are times when we change for the worst. You may think that Kiatsu never wanted to fight, but to me he seemed very eager to defeat me…" Kura then looked up to where Kiatsu was standing, tears clearly forming in her eyes.
"You're wrong," she mumbled under her breath.
"Hm?" Isamu arched one eyebrow in confusion.
"I said you're wrong," she repeated, this time a little louder. "I know Kiatsu and even if he did change, he would change for the better. Ever since we met, he has always shunned the path of evil and led himself onto the path of righteousness. He's always been that way and nothing you say or do will change that!" Kura raised her voice when speaking the last sentence so as to get her point across. However, the wolf merely closed his eyes and shrugged his shoulders absentmindedly.
"Whatever you say. Just remember that if he ever turns his claws on you, don't come crawling to me because I won't have any sympathy…"
"And what does that say about you?" Kura questioned her foe.
"I'm trying to be helpful by telling you to stay away from Kiatsu. He's dangerous and deep down inside, you know it too…"
Kura forcefully shook her head, as if to rid her mind of everything the wolf had just said. "That's not true! I know him and he's not like that so just leave him alone! He didn't do anything wrong! If he says he didn't start the fight than I believe him. I've known him way longer than I've known you so I think it's pretty obvious who I should trust," she stated, a firm tone held in her voice.
"Okay then, be that way."
"I will."
"But since you refuse to stay with me and he's still alive, I think it's obvious what I should do…"
The young hanyou girl narrowed one eye as she looked at Isamu, her eyes glowing with that of curiosity.
"He must DIE!" The half-demon then leapt forward as he withdrew his claws, preparing to strike Kiatsu head on. However, old tricks never seem to work twice…at least in this case. The male hanyou jumped up into the air, dodged the attempted attack and landed gracefully a few feet behind the wolf. Before Isamu could turn around, Kiatsu took that opportunity to launch his own attack. He withdrew his sharp claws, which looked as though they could cut through solid rock and slashed at his left arm. The wolf clutched at his now bleeding limb and snarled menacingly at the hanyou pup.
"You made that mistake once before, but this time your action will not go unpunished!" he proclaimed as he broke out into a fast run and clawed Kiatsu's already wounded arm. The dog demon winced at the tremendous pain that was now coursing through his veins. He grabbed his arm and held it tight, trying to prevent the flow of blood from escaping his body.
Kiatsu panted heavily as he coughed out a few words. "If you think I'm going to let you stop me from rescuing Kura, you've got another thing coming. She's my best friend and I'm not going to let any harm come to her…especially from a wretched demon such as yourself…" he growled.
Isamu cocked an eyebrow. "Oh? And just how do you expect to stop me with a severely wounded arm? Hm?" As much as he hated to admit it, Kiatsu knew that he was right. It would be foolish to continue fighting in his condition. But what was he to do? He had to get Kura away from the wolf…but how? If he couldn't fight, what other option was there? He played with that question over and over again in his mind until he could think no more. He decided that he would just have to wait and see if someone showed up to help them.
If Inuyasha was here, he would be able to defeat this bastard with one swing of his Tetsusaiga… he thought, mentally smirking to himself.
"Well?"
As the pain worsened, Kiatsu fought back the urge to yelp in pain. I can't take much more of this…help had better be on the way… he pleaded to what was probably the Gods.
"Answer me puppy…or the girl gets it…" Isamu walked over to where Kura was currently standing and wrapped his right arm tightly around her neck, yet made sure that she could still breathe with only a little bit of difficulty. The female looked up to the wolf and growled lowly.
"Let…me…go…" Her voice came out as a struggled whisper as Kiatsu narrowed his eyes into tiny slits and began to growl angrily.
"Let her go right now," he hissed.
"And what are you going to do if I don't?" Isamu knew perfectly well that Kiatsu was in no condition to fight so he was in a good position…or so he thought…
"I…" Kiatsu was cut off before he could say even one more word. A gust of wind blew in from outside the cave and as soon as everything settled back to normal, Kiatsu and Kura were both entirely grateful to see the being that was standing before their very eyes.
"Dad!" Kura exclaimed as Isamu closed his arm tighter around her neck, causing her arms to flinch and straighten like that of a board.
"Inuyasha!" Kiatsu sounded just as happy as his friend when he saw the older dog demon.
"Inuyasha…" Isamu muttered under his breath.
Inuyasha nodded to Kiatsu and then noticed the sight that almost made him burst out in rage. "Kura!" He then glared at the one who held her captive. "Who the hell are you?" he demanded fiercely. The demon began laughing maniacally and then it became clear to the elder hanyou just who he was. "Isamu…"
Mysterious Mistress Kura: Sorry to leave you all hanging but the next chapter will be worth it I promise! Inuyasha versus Isamu! Who will win? You'll just have to wait for chapter fifteen to find out! He he he! I'm just so evil with this cliffhangers, aren't I? Oh well, that's just how life goes I guess. Anyway, please review! Luv ya! Ja ne!