A/N: Chapter 34 of Ginga Densetsu Alayus. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except my own OCs. GDW and the other Ginga series belongs to the rightful owner.
Special thanks to the reviewers and to the readers who Fav/Alert this story, I really appreciate it.
Chapter 34: Futago Pass War
Outside Gajou...
The battle between Kyoshiro and Buruge continued as both dogs ferociously attacked one another without mercy. The clearing was still ravaged by fighting, fangs glistening and claws tearing into flesh. It was literally a giant dogfight and in the midst of the fur fiasco the commanders of both sides stared each other down. A fraction of a minute went by before both dogs lunged forward, eager to rip each others throat out.
"Kyoshiro-san!"
"Don't interfere, you lot!" The battle-scarred Kishu snapped after he was blown back, rising to his feet and shaking his pelt free of the snow. "This is nothing compared to the battles I've been through!"
"Stay put!" Buruge ordered when he heard concerned voices from his own subordinates, slowly getting back up. "I alone can handle this!"
"Heh. I'm starting to like you more and more!" The battle-scarred Kishu exclaimed, turning his back on his opponent and began flinging large amounts of snow with his paws behind him; it's his favorite trick to do and most of his army are familiarized with it. "Try this on for size!"
"What?!" Buruge blinked before chunks of snow crashed into his face. "Oww! Damn it!"
"Hehehe...how do you like your present?" Kyoshiro asked as the snow soon turned into dirt and rocks, his paws digging deeper and deeper into the ground. "Pretty good right?! Here have some more, I insist!"
"Grrr...you punk." Buruge growled as he ducked underneath the onslaught and attempted to move forward. However it was just a distraction as Kyoshiro rushed forward, his lips pulled back to display his fangs. He slammed into his opponent with an outstretched paw, watching him fall backwards into a clump of snow.
I did it...I actually did it...Kyoshiro looked hopefully before a weird noise reached his ears. His opponent's body was quivering not because he was cold but because he was laughing. "Huh? What's so amusing?"
"Interesting technique!" In a snap Buruge clamped his teeth into Kyoshiro's scruff, lifting his opponent into the air before slamming him down. Kyoshiro's vision fuzzed out as he caught his breath before he was sent tumbling across the ground. "But sadly it won't work twice now that I have seen it!"
"You're a tough bastard all right!" The battle-scarred Kishu spoke as he got back to his feet. "No wonder they call you the demonic warrior Buruge." The two butted heads over and over again but no matter how many times Kyoshiro knocked his enemy back, Buruge always rose. The other dogs from Buruge's army also laughed before one of them explained the reason for their amusement.
"It's like that time. When Buruge-san fought to become one of the four generals for Hougen-sama." The soldier spoke, holding Sasuke under his paws. "No matter how many times he was thrown around or received wounds, Buruge-san gets back up until his opponent is too tired to fight. That is when he strikes."
"Being Buruge the Demonic warrior makes me a Shinigami."
"A Shinigami huh?" Kyoshiro mumbled, his ears laying flat against his head when Buruge took a step forward. He didn't want to cower before his enemy but he couldn't help but take a small step back. His hesitation gave the reddish-brown dog an opening. Rushing forward the general bowled his opponent over, pinning him against the ground with his fangs latched around the throat.
"It's over." One of Buruge's subordinates noted, recognizing his commander's finishing stance. "Your leader isn't going to win."
"Kyoshiro-san!" Sasuke called out encouragingly. "Stand up! Kyoshiro-san!"
"Kyoshiro!"
"Don't give up Kyoshiro!"
It hurts...! It really fucking hurts! The Kishu thought as he heard the voices of his troupe. He remembered how Weed entrusted him with commanding his very own unit, passing on his trust to get things done. Kyoshiro felt like he let his leader down, a feeling that made his body tremble with disappointment. Weed...can I not live up to your expectations?
Kyoshiro, I believed in you! Weed's words flowed through his mind as he remembered particular incidents of his interactions with the leader. Your intentions are still probably justice, but it's not justice or anything else!
We can't forcefully heal ourselves in one go and march to Hougen's place, those who are wounded won't make it. My father's wish is for peace.
Weed, you're wrong! Kyoshiro remember snapping at him when he cast Alayus out. John was equally upset and had voiced his own concerns but continued to serve Weed faithfully, although he refused to look at Weed for the rest of the day and the next. And to think our leader was such a coward!
The last memory was when Kyoshiro tried to black mail the group, receiving a headbutt from Weed himself. The two stared at each other before a smile appeared on his lips. Let's go Kyoshiro. It's good to have you back.
Do you and I have different calibers? Kyoshiro's lips trembled once the memories faded away. How can you...place so much trust in...a guy like me? I...I...
"Kyoshiro." Toube's voice reached his ears as the Tosa appeared on the scene, watching the fight from a respectable distance. "Don't betray the ones who believe in your victory."
Toube...
"A Shinigami is still only a Shinigami. There's nothing to be afraid of. Your justice...is much stronger than that!"
I was such a fool! Kyoshiro berated himself as Toube's words sunk in his thick skull. My intentions were incomplete, unlike those of others. I almost lost an important friend die because of my actions. Ngk! He winced when the pressure against his neck increased. But...! Weed believed in me. For him, and for his dreams, I...
"Pity that you got to hear your friend's parting is the end." Buruge stated however Kyoshiro rolled over, planting all four feet on the ground and lifting him off the ground. The sudden movement forced the dog to loosen his grip. "What-?!"
I...WON'T LOSE! "AAAAAAHHHHHH!" Gripping onto Buruge's scruff, the Kishu threw his opponent down before launching one last attack, drawing a conclusion to the battle. The reddish-brown dog let out a groan before lying unmoving on the ground, signaling his defeat.
"L...Leader!"
"Buruge-san...!"
"Commander!"
"Buruge-sama has been defeated! Run!" Immediately the opposing forces ran off scared, leaving their injured general lying in the snow.
"I lost..." Buruge spoke when Kyoshiro padded up to him, lifting his eyes to look at the winner. "This is the first time I've actually lost! Kill me!"
"According to Weed, it stops here." Kyoshiro told him with a strong voice, refusing to kill without meaning behind it. Before he wouldn't hesitate to give his opponent what he wanted but Weed changed him. He knew the importance of life and how meaningful it was no matter how small it is. "There's no need to go that far."
"I lost..." Nodding his head and giving Buruge information on where the nearest hot spring was to heal his wounds, Kyoshiro padded off the check up on his unit who were all waiting for him. Their ears were alert, smiles on their faces and tails wagged in greeting.
"That was great Kyoshiro!"
"Well done, Kyoshiro-san!"
"Knew you'd pull through, Kyoshiro!"
"Sasuke...Everyone..." The Kishu looked around at the smiling faces and the corner of his lips curled up into a smile as well. It was contagious. "Thank you for cheering me on."
"Sure gave us a heart-attack out there." Toube grinned as other dogs from the unit walked up to congratulate their commander. "Don't ever think of tackling things by yourself. You got everyone here to support you every step of the way."
"Yeah. Alright everyone, let's move forward!"
"Yes Sir!" At their platoon leader's call, Unit 3 began to advance deeper into enemy territory. After defeating one of the generals their spirits were lifted and they had more energy than ever before.
I did it Weed. Kyoshiro thought with pride as he ran alongside his comrades, tilting his head up to see the continuous snow falling from the gray skies. I did it!
"Worthless little shits. Strength the front!" From on top of Gajou Hougen growled under his breath. He oversaw the entire battle, his eyes sweeping across the field and he wasn't thrilled by the performances of his subordinates. Those who stayed by his side bowed their heads in understanding before rushing off to do his bidding.
"Get it started!"
"Hurry up! Hougen-sama's order!"
Heh...those gullible nincompoops..."Huh?" Hougen blinked as something crossed his mind. "Weed isn't here." The thunder rumbled overhead and as the Great Dane lifted his head up he grinned. "I see...that Weed...so that was his plan all along..."
Inside Gajou...
While battle raged on on the outside Weed, Rocket and Akame continued to run through the inside of the rock structure. Of course they received a warm welcome by a group of Hougen's dogs that were waiting eagerly for them.
"They're here!"
"Don't let them through!"
"Akame! Rocket!" Throwing his attackers off without much effort Weed continued climbing. There were more soldiers stationed the closer they got towards one of the openings.
"Weed! There isn't much time!' Akame spoke as he pushed some rocks aside. "We have to hurry!" The howling winds that blew blankets of snow across the top greet them as they popped into the open. Distinctive shouts of the fights reached their ears but their eyes didn't see Hougen anywhere.
"Huh? Where did Hougen go?" Weed asked, looking around immediately at the unoccupied top. Based on the scent he knew that the Great Dane disappeared not too long ago so they couldn't have missed him. "Where is Hougen?!"
"There he is! Over there!" Akame directed their attention to the fleeing figure making his way to the ravine. The Great Dane came to a halt and looked over his shoulder. His eyes found Weed's and his lips pulled back into a sneer. Turning back around he took a jump, cackling as he disappeared into the ravine and out of sight.
"HOUGEN!" Weed screamed as the lightning flashed and thunder rumbled in the skies. He was so close, there was no way he'd let the villain escape. "Akame, you stay here! Rocket you're coming with me! We're going after him!"