The Blood I Shed for You
Disclaimer: Considering I am posting this story on a site called fanfiction.net, one would assume that it is exactly that, a fanfic. One would also assume any writers on this site would be immune to lawsuits in any way, shape, or form. Though, this may not be the case, and I do not wish to trustingly leave myself in the hand of another. I hereby announce I have no ownership of the Inuyasha series, manga, and movie. Ownership and all rights go to Rumiko Takahashi. I write any and all stories merely for entertainment of others, and myself. I receive no money for my efforts. Any original characters I may or may not use in any of my stories are of my own making, and though none of them may be protected as mine by law and I will have no power should someone decide to use one, I do appreciate permission, first.
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"Who's there?" She heard Kouga demand.
Inuyamainu continued to observe them for a moment, trying to decide what approach would allow her to walk away with a Shikon shard. She could have easily overpowered all three of them, and any other of that wolf youkai pack that faced her, but she wasn't one for avoidable violence.
"Search the area! Find the intruder!" Kouga ordered.
"That won't be necessary." Inuyamainu said, stepping out of the forest and into the clearing at the base of the cliff. With a single, seemingly effortless bound she was standing directly in front of Kouga. "I'm here to ask a favor of you, Kouga."
The three stared in shock, their expressions changed so much they were almost unreadable. She saw a few wolves and wolf youkai, still within the cave, with the same expression. She saw recognition, extreme dislike, confusion, shock, fascination, more confusion, appeal, and questioning.
"Inu-yasha?" The stockier one asked.
"No, fool! Inuyasha isn't a woman!" Kouga reprimanded. "Though. . . she does look an awful lot like him. But I wouldn't be surprised if the dog-turd suddenly did decide to become a woman, it would suit him better."
Inuyamainu found herself growing irritated. "Charming…"
"Speaking of charm, you're quite a good looker." Kouga began, circling Inuyamainu, and looking her over. "Judging by your clothes, you're wolf youkai, but your looks say otherwise." He paused momentarily. "Half-breed?"
"So you're not as stupid as you look." Inuyamainu said, cuttingly, wiping the arrogant smirk off Kouga's face.
"Watch who you're speaking to, half-breed. I am the prince of this wolf pack."
It was Inuyamainu's turn to sneer. "Such a small pack shouldn't need a prince"
Kouga's temper flared at that comment, but Inuyamainu cut him short.
"I'd like to borrow one of your Shikon shards."
Kouga scoffed. "You come to me, invading my lands, insulting me, making demands, and expect me to give you one of my shards? I don't think so." He said, looking her over again. "Just what would you need it for anyhow?"
"My business with the shard is none other than my own. Once done with it, however, I will return it promptly. I have no use for it to increase my power. I am powerful enough on my own with out the enhancement of the Shikon no Tama. As it is, I could easily kill you and all your companions, and take both shards for my own, but I prefer not to generate violence." She shifted her voice slightly before continuing. "I would also appreciate you regarding my brother with a bit more respect."
"So you're the dog-turd's sister? That would explain a few things." Kouga commented dryly. "I don't care how good looking you are. No relative of his is getting my shards!"
Inuyamainu grunted in frustration. She was getting nowhere with this savage. Then she was struck with an idea.
"How about a contest? I challenge your fastest to a race. If I win, I get to borrow your shikon shard." Inuyamainu said.
"Sounds good to me, but what do I get?" Kouga grinned.
"My gratitude." Inuyamainu said coolly.
"How about I just take that?" Kouga said, grinning widely, indicating the circlet on her forehead.
"Deal." She said with out hesitation.
If he could catch her, even with the help of the shikon shards, he deserved to have her crown. Kouga grinned madly.
"There's a river almost 3 miles from here. The first one to reach the river and come back wins. To prove you reached the river, you have to bring a fish." Kouga said, pointing in the direction of the river.
Inuyamainu nodded.
"Ready? Go!" Kouga said, not really waiting for an answer.
With that, Kouga was gone, leaving nothing but a cloud of dust. Kouga raced towards the river in a flurry. When he was almost there he looked around to see Inuyamainu was nowhere in sight.
"Hah! This is too easy!" He laughed as he reached the river and searched for a close fish. He saw it swimming lazily near the bank and snatched it up. It only took another minute to make his way back to the den with his prize.
It took about a minute or so for the dust and dirt to settle in the fairly stagnant night air. When the air was clear, the two other youkai looked over to see Inuyamainu still standing in the same place.
"Aren't you going to race?" The stockier one asked.
Inuyamainu didn't answer as she simply leaned against the rock quite laxity. Kouga returned in a swirl of wind and dust, loudly proclaiming his triumph while holding out his captive.
"I'm the fastest wolf alive!"
Inuyamainu said nothing.
"So about my prize…" He said, making his way towards Inuyamainu.
Inuyamainu still said nothing as she tossed a fish at Kouga's feet.
"I certainly hope you're the fastest wolf alive with out those shards, because with them you're still not as fast as me."
Kouga's mouth gaped, as did his companions' mouths.
"I'll be happy to accept your end of the bargain, now." She said, opening her palm to show the shikon shard held within.
"How did you. . ." Kouga started, but Inuyamainu was already walking away toward the cliff face.
"I snatched it from the bottom of your foot while you were walking towards me. I'll return it later. By the way, my mother is the fastest wolf alive. I am the fastest half-wolf." She said, stopping at the cliff and turning to look back. "You had no chance from the beginning."
With that, she dropped from sight over the edge of the cliff. Kouga raced to the edge of the cliff, but she was nowhere to be seen. He stood there stunned with the fish still wriggling in his hand.
"What a woman…" He said, staring off in the distance. He looked back at his tiny pack. "I'd love to rebuild my pack with someone that powerful, half-wolf or not. I don't even care that she's that half-breed's sister. I'll make her my woman."
It didn't take too long for Inuyamainu to find the well again. With the shikon shard still in her palm, she leapt into the well. She looked around wondrously as a bright purple light surrounded her, only to find herself still at the bottom of the well. She grunted and looked at the shikon shard irritably.
"Useless." She grumbled as she leapt out of the well to find herself inside of some sort of building. "Or is it?"
She looked around and soon rediscovered her brother's scent. She followed his scent out of the building and looked around in wonder. So many beautiful lights, but where was the forest? The air smelled so dirty, and there were strange noises all around her. What type of place was this?
~*~ Author's Note ~*~
I've been busy, busy, busy, so I haven't worked on any of my stories in a long time. I know, and I'm sorry. I'm on my vacation, now, so I'll be sure to put up at least a few new chapters. That is a promise.
