Chapter 42: Beneath the Banner of a Tyrant

"Kill them."

The order came from cold lips and immediately the group of dragons moved off into the field to do as ordered, destroying everything in their path – except the few wolves still living.

Tamotsu, still alive though heavily injured was stunned and suspicious as the dragons destroyed their own forces and tossed the stiffening body of his last enemy from his jaws before he blurred, painfully moving back into his human form as the leader of the 'rescuers' reached down a hand to help him to his feet.

Staring at the male with that suspicion clear on his face, Tamotsu eventually took his hand and allowed him to help him up, grunting in pain as his injuries caught up with him. He wiped some blood from his mouth and looked around, taking note that barely fifty of his wolves still lived. He glanced back at the so-far silent dragon male who was watching the slaughter of his own supposed allies with a calm face.

"So... why is this happening?" he asked, gesturing around at the finally quietening battlefield as his few surviving wolves slowly moved to surround him.

The male met his eyes once more and said coolly, "Because Ryukotsussei isn't just hated by you all in the other lands. He's a ruthless, cold bastard that rewards loyalty with death just as well as treason. So some of us decided we may as well throw in with the rest of you and try to gain our freedom from him. Since we'll probably die anyway," he added sarcastically, "at least we can die while taking him with us."

"Hm," Tamotsu growled, allowing himself to sit down as his body began trying to heal its very serious injuries. "Well, as long as you're telling the truth I can't say as I blame you, but forgive me if I remain skeptical for now. Not that I don't thank you for the assistance, and all, but you know... it's that treason thing – it always makes me nervous."

"As it would any sane being," the dragon male grunted. "By the way, the name is Ryuujin." He looked around as his own forces finished the job they had been ordered to and the last of the attackers fell to the claws of their former brethren.

The injured wolf lord nodded. "I'm known as Tamotsu. So... what's next?"

"That depends on you," Ryuujin said crisply. "What's left of your ookami are not in the best of shape, and I don't think you will be able to help the rest of your army out very much. We can escort you back to safety at the border if you wish it."

Tamotsu shook his head after a moment's thought. "No. Much as I'd like to leave it at that, I have a duty. I at least must attempt to rejoin the rest of the army. My remaining wolves may leave and go to the border if they wish."

"No!" one of the males barked, stepping forward and dropping to his knees to reach for his arm. "My Lord, we will not abandon you! If you stay, we will too. It is our duty!"

Ryuujin cocked a dark brow at the wolf. "My Lord? So... it is as I thought. You are the Eastern Lord."

"Aye," Tamotsu forced out of a dry throat, looking at the remains of his pack with grieved eyes. "Though it seems I am Lord of much less than I was," he added heavily, happy to see that at least his cousin, who was the one who had spoken out about leaving his leader and had already almost died once, was looking healthy enough this time around.

"It doesn't matter," his cousin insisted, staring him firmly in the eyes. "We knew when we came that we might all die. But it wouldn't matter if we hadn't come, because sooner or later that bastard Ryukotsussei would have brought the war to us. At least this way the rest of the pack, the females and cubs, are safe."

With a weary sigh Tamotsu nodded, clasping his cousin's arm in return for a moment before letting go. "You are right."

"He speaks true, for all of us," Ryuujin spoke up. "We all have reason to take vengeance upon Ryukotsussei – you are not the only ones with just cause." His voice darkened as did his face, obviously remembering something that caused him much anger.

"Oh?" Tamotsu asked, his own brow rising with speculation.

Ryuujin's fist tightened, drawing his own blood as red ignited in his eyes for a moment. "It does not matter," he finally gritted out, forcibly returning to his cold demeanor after battling back his nature. "Suffice it to say that if Ryukotsussei were to fall I would rejoice, even if it was not my own hand that took his miserable life." He motioned curtly at those who were under his command. "All those with me were chosen for this duty because of a need for vengeance against our so-called Lord," he spat, the word 'lord' coming out with a virulence that Tamotsu could smell was quite real. For whatever reason, this male really did hate Ryukotsussei and wanted him dead.

That went quite a ways towards easing his natural caution of his current circumstances.

"Well then, I suppose the only thing left for us to do is to rejoin some of our other forces," he said, standing up once more but still moving slowly. He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully for a few seconds on those dragons standing with them. "Perhaps it would be best if we joined those of our forces being led by Satori and General Masao. They are less likely to react badly to your presence than say... Sesshoumaru."

Ryuujin inclined his head shortly. "I have heard of the Western Lord's cold and dangerous heir, so I am sure you are correct. We will follow your lead."

Tamotsu nodded in return and turned his head around, scanning their current whereabouts and then lifting his nose into the breeze to take in the scents. He bowed just a touch mockingly to Ryuujin after finding what he was looking for, and gestured in the direction they needed to go. "If you are ready, we go this way. Masao and his men are waiting."

Ryuujin bowed with the same touch of mockery and smiled in a rather deadly manner. "Why don't we go join them, then?"

"Why don't we?"

~oOo~

"Soraryuu."

The female so addressed bowed deeply. "Father."

"Has there been any further sign of what that bastard Ryukotsussei is up to?" Ryuyama grunted sourly.

Soraryuu shook her head, a scowl crossing her beautiful face as she answered her father, Lord of their clan. She hated the bastard she'd been wed to more than just about anyone else on earth. "No, father. But I believe Kenichi-san's letter. It is just what that monster would do, and I've no doubt will if given the slightest chance."

Lord Ryuyama turned and glared out towards the head of the armies gathered at the fool making himself look even more foolish against the obviously much quicker-witted Western Lord, and actually chuckled with sarcastic amusement at a riposte of the dog's. He, too, believed Kenichi's letter – despite Ryukotsussei's denials of Kenichi's words, he was a savage prick and almost every dragon in the clans hated him. Most would kill him if given half a chance, but true to their coerced vows they had gathered beneath his banner to fight the Western forces.

He stared absently at the brightening eastern sky, tapping one finger against his lips in deep contemplation. Why now was the bloodthirsty bastard trying to kill off his own heir and all his other young? He was not unaware of Ryukotsussei's new companions of late, Koume and Kotake, and he wondered why those two, who were dragon but not like any other line of dragons that existed, had decided to support the fool.

After all, the two and their ancestral line had never sworn allegiance to Ryukotsussei, keeping to their own halls deep in the northern mountains somewhere and mostly ignoring the other clans completely.

No one knew for sure just what ends that line of dragons was working towards, but all were certain that they were aiming for power, as all youkai did. And those few dragons that hadn't been sworn in support of Ryukotsussei were kept protected and much more comfortable in their home in the mountains than anyone else that was tied to the madman leading the rest of them.

Yes, Kenichi's letter had stated that the fool wished to sire new heirs from Koume and Kotake. But if so, why was Ryukotsussei just now trying such a scheme if he'd wished to be rid of his current heir, his own grandson? True, despite the fact that the male was his grandson he was a petty little tyrant brat and Ryuyama would love to kill him, too. However, in order to maintain his clan's status he'd had to leave the brat alone, unfortunately, though now it wouldn't matter if what he suspected was going to happen this day actually did.

Politics, he snorted. I've always hated it and all the scheming that goes on behind it. Why can't it all just be straightforward and easy?

He growled, and his daughter looked at him as they waited for the order to attack. "What is your will, father?" she asked, knowing that time was short and ready to do her father's bidding – whatever that was going to be.

"Stand fast, Soraryuu, you will know my will soon enough," her father stated coolly as he dropped his gaze and snapped his fingers in a sharp command to his clan to be ready to attack – the order from Ryukotsussei would be coming any minute. "It will all be over shortly," he murmured with finality.

Soraryuu bowed again to her father and then looked across the field at the dog lord's forces. Yes...

… it would soon be over.

She could hardly wait.

~oOo~

Across the other side of the field and just a few seconds after the order to attack had come from the dragon lord, Izayoi landed on a snarling Kirara's back across from the two female dragons, who had also just landed. They stared across at her and her guard weighingly, just as she was doing to them.

Izayoi could hear the first clash of battle from the field to their left as well as her husband's great voice calling forth Tessaiga's power but she determinedly chased those things away, forcing herself to consider only her own pending battle. After sizing the females up, she spoke.

"So. I have been quite interested in meeting the sorceresses I have heard so much about. You are definitely unique, nothing like most creatures in this realm. It is too bad you have chosen to join that raving lunatic Ryukotsussei, for I will not like having to destroy you." With that she prepared herself for the battle to come, keeping her aura in check – making herself seem less threatening than she really was. It was all part of the plan she had come up with. She only hoped that if her attendants did indeed catch on, they would play along.

It seemed that at least Kenji had become suspicious of the fact that she was keeping so much of her power hidden, because he sent her a narrow-eyed look from over his shoulder – one which she met with a straight face. After a moment he looked away again and Izayoi turned her attention back to her opponents, who had apparently found her previous statement amusing.

All part of the plan.

Her eyes flicked back to the females as one of them, the hot-blooded one spoke, her tone full of condescending amusement.

"And yet it is not so for us, ningen. We are disappointed to meet the supposedly frighteningly powerful wife of the dog, for it seems the rumors of your power were greatly exaggerated. Your companions will no doubt be more entertaining than you yourself will. Still, we will take you on, and for your foolishness and bravery we will make your death swift."

Izayoi smiled faintly, knowing with their words that so far her plan to seem less dangerous was working. The less the two felt threatened the easier it would be to keep them from joining into their more lethal combined form. From her own assessment, though, even if they did she would still be able to kill them – it would just be more difficult. The easier she could keep this fight the less of her own energy she would have to use. That would leave more if she needed to assist her husband with Ryukotsussei.

"Thanks for the offer, but no thanks. I think I'd prefer to keep breathing. As for my attendants, only time will tell how dangerous they are going to be to you. But we accomplish little standing here and taunting each other, so why don't we take a page out of their books-" her smile widened a little at the confused looks the two were sending her as she tilted her head towards the now very loud battlefield, "-and just see who will walk away, and who will not?"

The cold female, frost curling from her mouth as she spoke said, "Despite your strange words, your meaning is understood. Come then, and fight!"

With that the two gathered their power and Izayoi and her guards braced themselves, also calling forth their own varying powers as their blood heated and flowed swiftly through their veins and their strengths rose to their commands.

~oOo~

Sesshoumaru stiffened and lifted his head, pulled from his thoughts by the distant sound of weapons clashing and screaming – the usual din of a battlefield.

So it has begun, he thought, his own body heating as his poisons began to flow and his body readied for combat. He was glad that the tiresome waiting was nearly over.

With a short command to Akira the soldiers he was leading stiffened into combat readiness in preparation for an order to move out and Sesshoumaru turned away, his senses on even higher alert now. A passing breeze caught his attention; blood tainted its purity – a lot of blood. Wolf... and vermin. Father was correct, then. There were others behind us. But that doesn't tell me who won and who did not. Or if the battle still rages.

He considered sending a few scouts that direction, but then decided against it – the other group had been stationed several ri away and the signal to move into place could come at any time. If the wolves had been unsuccessful they would find out soon enough.

Resisting the urge to pace he turned and stared towards Ryukotsussei's palace and the field of battle, tightening his control and refusing to let his nature overtake his mind with the wish to throw himself into the contest. Despite the fact that the desire to do so was making his skin crawl with need, he forced himself to the waiting stillness. His turn would come.

"Sesshoumaru-sama," Akira's voice came softly, "our outrunners have reported movement. There are indeed enemy forces behind us and they are marching towards the battlefield. A large force, lower and mid-level dragons. Their outrunners are snakes and other assorted vermin. They have not detected us."

"Hn. Then it will soon be time to move. Make certain everyone is ready at an instant's notice," he ordered just as quietly, flicking a quick glance in a certain female's direction meaningfully, not responding as Akira bowed and moved away to fulfill his orders.

Sesshoumaru ignored everything else and continued to stare into the horizon with opaque golden eyes and stony expression.

~oOo~

The same sort of thing was happening a couple ri away, where his mother and her mate were awaiting the signal to move. However, Satori was much older than her son and so much more in control of her nature. She felt the same things her son did – the call to kill, to rend and tear her opponents – but instead of having to force herself to the shivering stillness she was rather enjoying the very different sensations as her will clashed with her feral desires.

Masao was in mostly the same state she was, as were pretty much all the youkai gathered at their backs – but none bled the sheer joy that Satori did. She had always been that way – so much more vividly alive than even most other youkai, and it was what had drawn his attention so strongly the first time he had met her. Satori was life in its most free and feral form, and like the finest of opiums he was addicted to her. And that was why he wasn't even paying attention to his own clamoring blood, but drawing her excitement through their bond and enjoying it almost as much as he did mating with her.

Still, he could not let himself drown in the flow because he was in charge of this group, and he had to pay attention to his surroundings. So when a low, rolling growl came from out of the gray stillness in front of them, he snapped his head up and responded instantly.

It was the ookami. But canines are canines and the growl was quite well understood by he and most of those with him, so he wasn't taken aback when a small group of wolves boiled out of the twilit stillness and appeared before him – accompanied by a fairly large group of higher dragons. Eyes narrowing dangerously, his hand slid to his sword and he looked at a very injured wolf lord for answers, as it was clear that the dragons were most certainly not prisoners.

"Use your nose, General," Tamotsu snorted tiredly at Masao's demand for an accounting. "We were overrun by a force larger than ours by three to one, and this is all that is left of my pack-brothers. If it weren't for Ryuujin and these others here, none of us would be left alive. Apparently, Ryukotsussei isn't just hated by everyone in the other three lands, but most here in the North, as well."

Masao'a eyes were still narrowed with suspicion, but Satori simply listened with that faintly catlike smile she was known for, her eyes closed as she listened to Tamotsu speak.

"... so I decided to join up with you, rather than Touga's heir-" he glanced at Satori, whose smile grew just slightly larger though she did not open her eyes, "-because of his rather... uncertain temperament at times."

Masao, who had indeed been using his nose as Tamotsu had told him to while the Wolf Lord had been speaking, couldn't deny that the dragons that were waiting with hard expressions for their next orders smelled of nothing but hatred at any mention of Ryukotsussei. Then again, he couldn't say that was really surprising – any sane being would hate that bastard.

Still, he sighed, that left him trying to decide what to do with this unexpected... gift... without benefit of his Lord's knowledge.

But that was why he was a General, and so he turned his thoughts to the best way to make use of this turn in circumstances.

~oOo~

The instantaneous din on the field almost deafened Touga and he grinned savagely as his opponent sped at him, beheading a dragon that got between he and Ryukotsussei in a single smooth move as the Northern lord's line reached the deepest point of Touga's own forces. Kicking him out of the way and at Ryukotsussei, his grin tightened as the dragon lord leaped nimbly over his own dead soldier and whipped his sword out, aiming to cut the inuyoukai in half.

The clash of their weapons was fierce, the blades screaming as Touga withstood the blow and allowed it to push his weapon into his chest, successfully locking Ryukotsussei's blade against his guard.

"And so we finally meet in battle, dragon!" Touga yelled with glee. "I have awaited this moment for centuries!" Gathering his strength, he threw Ryukotsussei away from him and then pivoted on his left foot as he tried to duck under the male's blade and take him low, bringing Tessaiga around in a lightening move that was almost too fast to be seen.

"As have I, bastard dog," Ryukotsussei hissed in return, spinning around and then leaping to the side to avoid the blow. His own blade flickered out, catching on Tessaiga and as he braced the two exchanged a series of blows.

Around them the battle raged; screams, snarls, growls, and hisses along with the clash of weapons and flashes of power were enough to almost overwhelm all those on the field. But Touga wasn't distracted – despite the din and his own opponent he was still aware of the overall progress of the battle, as was Ryukotsussei, he was sure.

It was an almost painful rush, the influx of information from all his senses, and a lesser being would have been overpowered. But Touga was not – he had trained for centuries to be able to withstand the sweet, prickling torment, and so he did what he'd learned to do so long ago – he partitioned his mind, each part focusing on something different.

"You are good, dog, I'll give you that – but not good enough. Did you really think to take me on with such a small force?" Ryukotsussei said as he attempted to get in a sneak attack with a hidden blade.

Touga paid no attention to the fool's words whatsoever, pushing away from the surprise blade and letting it slide across his armor as he drew Tenseiga with his left hand and caught the sword descending on his head with it, twisting between Ryukotsussei and the soldier that had attempted to brain him from behind in a blur. Wielding two swords with the same matchless skill as one, he skewered the snake attacking from behind with Tessaiga and then sheathed Tenseiga while bringing its mate back around to catch Ryukotsussei's next strike.

"Nothing to say, bastard?" the dragon snapped, becoming annoyed as it seemed as though Touga were just ignoring all his taunts. Like most megalomaniacs, he could not stand to be ignored.

Touga knew this quite well. Cocking a mocking brow, he replied, "When you say something worth replying to then I might deign to do so. Otherwise I will simply allow my steel to answer for me, vermin."

Ryukotsussei snarled at him for his taunt even as he killed one of his own soldiers that had the misfortune of stumbling between them, to Touga's disgust.

"You aren't worthy to breathe the same air as I, bakayarou!" he shouted, rushing forward into the attack again.

Touga merely chuckled and declined to respond to those words as well, angering his opponent even more.

Suddenly overrun by a group of battling youkai from both sides, Touga leaped across the back of a snake and over Ryukotsussei's sideways strike, reversing Tessaiga and thrusting backwards, just missing as the dragon lord used his own staggering soldier's body to shield himself from Tessaiga's fury. Spinning, he tried his own strike, attempting to take Touga from behind as well.

Blurring in movement, the inuyoukai whirled around the blow and thrust his own hidden blade out, taking Ryukotsussei in the side with a slashing move that did little to truly injure the angered dragon, but did draw first blood – and infuriated the reptile even more.

The more off-center he could keep the fool, the better...

"What's the matter, Ryukotsussei? Are you not enjoying our contest?" he laughed savagely at the snarl on his enemy's face. "What better entertainment is to be found than this? Or are you so weak that you have lost your taste for the game? Has the inbreeding you seem to so enjoy cost you your youkai constitution?"

Ryukotsussei roared in fury at the criticism, that rage giving strength to his next blow. In an impressive move that Touga most enjoyed he managed to slip under the inuyoukai's guard and stabbed him in the shoulder, weakening the inu's grip on Tessaiga, which flew a short distance away and landed upright in the ground. However, as he attempted to slice downward through Touga's armor, his blade became stuck and the inu simply pushed him away and then pulled the sword from his own flesh, using it to behead another enemy soldier that tried to assist his lord before tossing it away.

The dragon gave chase after retrieving his weapon and Touga used the bodies piling up around them to somersault towards Tessaiga, grabbing the sword as he passed overhead and then catching the dragon's next strike low. As the swords connected Touga slid his down, locking Tessaiga with Ryukotsussei's sword and then twisting his wrist, disengaging before the dragon lord could compensate and then thrusting the blade through his upper thigh to temporarily hinder his movement. As Ryukotsussei gasped in surprise and tried to pull away, he ripped his claws across his enemy's face, raking a bloody path across the bastard's flesh.

A reptilian hiss burst from the dragon master and he disengaged and fell back, adopting a defensive posture as he tried to regain his rhythm. Blood dripping from his marred face and wounded thigh, Ryukotsussei was suddenly much more cautious and Touga took the slight breather to check the progress of the battle.

Izayoi was right, he thought, pleased. This formation worked just as she said it would. And indeed it had. Most of the fighting dragons and snakes were pretty much surrounded and he had to grin inwardly, wiping a stray drop of blood from his eyes as he bared his fangs at Ryukotsussei in a dangerous smirk.

He swept his arm out to indicate the field and watched Ryukotsussei take it in. "So what do you think of this little tactic, eh? Surprised? It is rather effective, is it not?" he shouted so as to be heard above the increasing roar around them.

"Who did you steal such a formation from, dog? For I'm sure it didn't come from your own imagination!" the fiery-eyed male spat back angrily.

Touga laughed with the peculiar joy known only to the warrior and bowed almost mockingly, dancing away from more battling youkai on light feet. "You are right, for once. This one came from my wife. Brilliant, is she not? This is a tactic she learned from studying an ancient culture from a land far away. A warrior culture. It is very interesting what you can learn – when you can admit that you do not know everything. But it is, sadly, something you are incapable of." He shrugged. "Ah, well, your arrogance is your own problem and an advantage for me besides," he finished as a snide sneer was sent his way by the dragon, readying to attack once more.

He dashed forward into the fray, pressing his opponent as a wave of spiritual power washed across the plain, indicating his wife's own continuing vitality.

The thin, sour look on Ryukotsussei's face at the feel of it was just a bonus to the inu lord.

~oOo~

Arata flashed past one snake, slicing it in half as he passed, and looked rapidly around for another opponent – one more worthwhile than some of those he'd already fought. Within seconds his eyes caught and held the red eyes of a dragon – Ryukotsussei's standard bearer.

He grinned – this one would be a prize. To take the dragon lord's banner as a trophy would be quite the rush, not to mention that such a thing happening was a huge dishonor to the youkai the flag represented. Ryukotsussei would be mocked for it by all youkai, which was why one's standard-bearer was usually a powerful warrior - so as to be able to defend his Lord's pennant on the field.

And the best part was that it wouldn't even matter if they won the war or not – Ryukotsussei would still be mocked regardless.

The fox very much enjoyed the thought of that.

Coming to a halt before the other male Arata bowed mockingly and swept his sword through the air pointedly, his ears echoing with the swift sound of its passage.

The dragon scowled, slowly bringing his own weapon to guard point. Arata attacked instantly, sliding between seconds as time stilled, his katana swirling with power.

~oOo~

Izayoi was not fazed by the opening moves of the two females, well aware that they were really little more than testing skirmishes – just like what always came before the true battle began. As fire and ice spiked towards her from her enemies, she brought up a barrier and simply allowed the opposing energies to dissipate harmlessly around her and her guards. Kirara snarled at the two warningly as they set about trying to isolate Izayoi but refused to leave her companion's side, not about to be separated from her friend that way.

Kenji, Nami, and Mine, meanwhile, were busy keeping those enemy forces boiling around them from the rest of the battle away from the lone human woman, which would allow her a clear field for her own fight and was just what she'd hoped would happen, to boot. The busier they were with their own opponents, the better for her.

Without missing a beat she drew down on the cold-eyed sister, letting the arrow fly even as she dodged someone elses attempt at skewering her on a sword. As the random youkai closed with her she focused her power in her hand and thrust it into the youkai's face, ignoring the scream from the horrified reptile as he dissipated, and then brought her bow up to block the claws of one of the sisters.

Time passed with mind-numbing slowness as she battled the females, that same odd effect she had noticed when running with the army. It was strange on the surface that she should feel this way – she'd been in several battles before and not had this same reaction. As she danced and whirled around in the the now-familiar patterns of combat, she felt a strange division within her mind. She could see everything that was going on around her with one side of it and yet still keep track of her own opponents and her fight, as well. And it was so easy... easier than it ever had been before.

Training, she thought as yet another swirl of youki struck at her. She blasted the attack apart with a simple passing thought, and had to remind herself to keep her power in check as her body moved without any seeming volition. And then she understood... Instinct. I have fought so many times now that I don't really need to think about what I'm doing. That's why warriors train for so many years – so that the moves become simply a pattern that is memorized and can be utilized without true concentration.

I have... memorized the ways of attack and defense.

She truly wished that she didn't have to know how to fight – that bloodshed and hatred and tyranny were no longer existent in the world they lived in. But it was a pointless wish, because as long as their were living beings upon the earth there would be conflict.

A quick glance around as the sisters were forced to pause in their attacks on her to break away from a large group of battling youkai told her that crunch time was coming – the chaos on the plain had indeed separated her companions from her for the most part. Kirara was the only one left close.

As the battling youkai moved away again one of the sisters spoke, drawing Izayoi's attention from her perusal of the area. Her words were not directed at her, but were meant to mock her nonetheless.

"Well, my love? Who shall have the pleasure of spilling her blood? It is clear that she cannot last much longer. Her power is waning..."

"We could combine and thus both have a part," Kotake replied doubtfully as Izayoi played to their words and allowed it to seem as if she were faltering, too tired to continue the fight much longer.

Koume scoffed at her sister. "Combine? There is no reason to use so much of our energy. We will simply continue as we have been – sooner rather than later our natures will destroy her, thus giving us both the thrill of the kill."

"True," Kotake sighed almost sadly as she shrugged and attacked again, pressing her seeming advantage as Izayoi deliberately fell back, staggering as she drew her web around the sisters.

It was almost time to strike...

Just a little bit longer...

Naraku came to mind, then.

Come into my parlor, said the spider to the fly...

How very fitting.

~oOo~

The very much enlarged force under Masao's command stirred restlessly as they waited almost breathlessly for the signal to attack. Still trying to heal enough of his injuries to be useful, Tamotsu sighed tiredly as his vision blurred and cast his mind about for something to take his attention from the energy he was expending.

The cold scent of dragon brought just such a distraction to his thoughts.

"Oi, Ryuujin," he asked curiously, "if you don't mind the question – just what has that insane bastard you all are stuck calling 'Lord' done to you that has you so hateful towards him, anyway?"

The handsome male growled with barely-contained hatred, his fist clenching with his flaring rage at the very mention of Ryukotsussei. "What hasn't that slime done is more the question," he replied, something dark and painful flashing in his eyes, deepening the mystery surrounding his defection from the Northern forces. "He is a rapacious, ignorant, and petty tyrant who thirsts continuously for blood – even the blood of his own. Until the spheres collapse and time ends I will hate and despise him. Until the kami perish I will hunger for his utter ruin."

Several brows rose from those nearby at the uncompromising malice in his voice. Tamotsu wasn't the first to notice that the male really hadn't answered his question – and after what he'd seen in Ryuujin's eyes, the wolf lord was not inclined to press. That expression was one of old agony. Whatever this male's beef with Ryukotsussei really was it was clear that he would throw his own life into the crucible just to take the other male with him.

He grunted. "We are youkai, Ryuujin. We all thirst for blood," was all he said in reply before falling silent once more.

"Yes... but only a maniac lusts for the blood of his own," the other male said pointedly. "I know of your son, your heir. Do you wish to taste his blood? Would you kill him or any of your... pack? And neither would the rest of us," he nodded at the look on Tamotsu's face. "That is only one of the many differences between that mad fool and most other youkai."

Tamotsu acknowledged the point with a small inclination of his head, a faint questioning expression still in his eyes as he tried to puzzle out the answers to such a strange turn of fortune as the thought of fighting alongside of a whole force of dragons.

Ryuujin turned away and looked to the horizon, the rage he'd had in his voice burning brightly in his eyes. So long I waited...only to lose in the end. And it is all that snake's fault. He shook his head and those eyes fell closed, shuttering their glow as old and still terrible anguish rushed through him painfully. Wait for me, my sweet... I will soon be joining you in death, and we can fly together as we were never allowed to in life.

Just wait for me, as I waited for you.

~oOo~

Almost maddened by his enemy's refusal to lay down and die, Ryukotsussei screamed in rage just as his weapon clashed once more with Tessaiga, its voice rising to join its master's. Tessaiga roared just as loudly, but not with the same insanity as the other blade – rather, its voice echoed Touga's own fierce joy in the battle and his determination to destroy his enemy and protect his lands – and his wife.

Tessaiga had been forged to protect, after all, and it had its own terrible and beautiful joy at being able to fulfill its purpose that its owner could actually feel. He purred at the feeling, strength and vitality flooding through him and his sword and he threw the dragon away from him, giving chase instantly as Ryukotsussei skidded to a halt and braced for his opponent's next blow.

The few wounds he'd received so far were pretty much already healed, the other male not having managed to blood him since the last hit through the shoulder. That one, too, was almost healed, and Touga didn't even feel any pain – there was too much heat flooding through his body for such things to make a dent in his mind.

He could still feel his wife's strong presence across the field, adding to his satisfaction, and knowing that she was fine kept him calm. If something were to happen to her, however...

The daiyoukai shoved that thought away. She would not fall... she was too strong to be felled by the likes of Ryukotsussei or his pet females.

Keeping a close watch on the battlefield with the senses not engaged by his enemy, he felt his blood surge as the time for the next phase of it all approached. It would soon be time to send the signal for his son and all the others to join the fight. His only concern now was the fact that Tamotsu had not signaled him a second time. That didn't bode well for the wolf lord or his pack.

Ryukotsussei was as aware of the pace of the fight as Touga and he grinned, a savage and feral slash of his thin lips. He could not wait to see the dog's face when the surprise he had arranged arrived – it would be so richly deserved, the pleasure he would gain from the bastard's realization of his foolishness.

Unable to wait anymore for just that moment he sent out a sharp, piercing call, one which lifted high across the battle effortlessly. Just a few more marks and the dog would be faced with his defeat.

Touga smirked inwardly with satisfaction – he'd been right in his belief that his foe would have other troops behind their line. And with the call he'd just sent out, he knew they were closing with those forces that he'd brought with him. It was finally time for the next phase of this little war...

Sheathing Tessaiga in one swift snap and reaching over his shoulder with his left hand he drew Sou'unga for the first time in the battle, the spirit of the hell-born dragon within it surging immediately to life with a scream of defiance and lust for blood. Touga allowed the sword to gather its power and then grinned as its ultimate attack twined up the blade. It was clear that its fell voice was at full strength as Ryukotsussei's eyes widened and he backed away in unforeseen hesitance.

"You are the one that took it!" he growled, eyes narrowing in caution as he stared at the blade in his enemy's hands with desire and anger. "That sword is mine!"

"Then come and try to take it from me," Touga challenged, a little surprised to see the recognition in the male's eyes. He had not known that Ryukotsussei was familiar with the hell-dragon – though it made a bizarre sort of sense, he shrugged ruefully to himself. Dragon blade and dragon master...

But that was one alliance he would never countenance; Sou'unga and Ryukotsussei would be an even worse combination than the insane reptile and the Shikon no Tama.

Flashing away from his enemy with shocking suddenness, Touga aimed the fell energy imbuing the blade of Sou'unga towards the bastard's palace, watching with satisfaction as the Dragon-Twister wreaked havoc across the field and tore a huge hole in the large pile. The destructive wave passed through the outer baileys of the shiro and all the way to the honmaru, even despite the protective barriers surrounding the castle.

Without pause Ryukotsussei chased him, screaming in fury at the damage done to his palace. He threw himself into the next series of blows with dangerous fervor, almost foaming at the mouth to take Sou'unga away from Touga and wipe his adversary off the face of the earth.

"How did you get it?" he snarled at the inuyoukai, fangs flashing in the bloody light of the morning.

A dark brow rose at the question as the Inu no Taisho parried and blocked and slashed at the dragon with the all of the elegance he was known for. "How do you know this sword?" he returned evenly as that particular series of blows came to an end and he somersaulted over the other male's head, sheathing Sou'unga once more and drawing Tessaiga, instead. And why didn't you notice it before now if you are so familiar with it?

Ryukotsussei whirled around to face Touga warily but took the chance for the breather, inhaling deeply and forcing his body to uncoil and relax into the fight again – his rage had tensed him and that was not a good thing in a to-the-death fight. His ire could and would be his undoing if he didn't manage to control it, and he knew it.

"I created that blade! It was my hand that formed it and bound the hell-dragon to it, which makes it mine. I will bleed you even worse for keeping something that belongs to me!" Ryukotsussei answered hotly, still trying with marked difficulty to regain his temper.

So that is the provenance of this evil length of steel, Touga thought, his eyes widening just slightly with the revelation. He'd not known where the sword came from, but he'd instantaneously recognized its evil blight and the danger it represented to the entire world from the moment he'd come upon the human samurai wielding it.

He'd taken it from the man easily enough, aided by Sou'unga's own hubris – the dragon within the steel had betrayed his wielder quite quickly, thinking to take over Touga's mind and use his powerful youki to augment his own strength and drown the world in blood. But it had been his mistake, because the inu was much more powerful than he was – and his control of his considerable strength was impeccable. He'd subdued the demon within the blade and then forced it into sleep, only allowing it to wake when he chose to use it.

As a signal to his waiting forces it was perfect, because its youki and the destruction it caused could never be mistaken for any other sword's voice.

"I cannot say I am surprised," Touga sighed, swiping Tessaiga through the air as Ryukotsussei's pause gave him chance, its song pleasing him far more than Sou'unga's mad howling ever could. "While its insanity certainly complements your own, I'm afraid I cannot allow you to have it back – there is already enough darkness and evil in the world without such a partnership. The thought is not to be borne," he finished grimly, black flashes of his delicate-seeming wife being faced with such vile despite making him feel sick to his very soul.

"I will have it back from you, you flea-infested mongrel!" Ryukotsussei snarled.

Touga snorted as he prepared to attack once more, shaking his head in disappointment. "Mongrel?" he repeated lightly, not at all insulted as Ryukotsussei had meant for him to be.

The dragon lord's answer was lost to the din, and the battle continued on as Touga danced around his rival tirelessly.

Just a little longer...

~oOo~

Ryukotsussei disengaged and jumped back just as a large force of dragons crested the rise behind Touga's forces and immediately charged the backside of the combined armies of the three other cardinal lands. He wanted to see the expression on his enemy's face when he finally realized that he'd greatly underestimated his own strength and chances of defeating he, the great Lord of dragons.

"You are a fool, dog!" he gloated fiercely as Touga glanced over his shoulder at what was about to happen. "Never could one such as you beat me!"

Unable to see Touga's expression with his head turned away, he was caught totally off-guard as the Inuyoukai merely howled two short calls, and with a crisp precision that would have awed a human Lord the rear ranks of the combined armies turned about-face and braced for those heading their way.

Turning back to his opponent Touga grinned, his fangs lengthening as his feral side surged forward. "That remains to be seen, Ryukotsussei. It isn't over yet."

Confounded by the lack of worry in the manner and face of Touga, he suddenly scowled, wondering. What is that bastard up to? He ran all sorts of possibilities through his mind rapidly as Touga once more attacked him, trying to figure out what was about to happen.

For some reason, though, it never occurred to him that the Inuyoukai had simply turned his own tactic around on him and even now had another force approaching the field. He was still stuck believing that what Touga had started the battle with was all the army he had brought with him because of what his little soldier had reported to him on their numbers.

And it certainly never occurred to him that some of his own army would turn on him and assist the Western Lord's attack because he was so sure he had his own people cowed enough to be too fearful to try such a thing.

But really he should have seen it coming, because those who languish beneath the banner of a tyrant will eventually break and turn on the one abusing them with lethal intent – as was seen over and over throughout history.

Just as was about to happen here...

~oOo~

"Report," Sesshoumaru almost growled as the shockwave of Sou'unga's power washed across the land and whispered over the inuyoukai's flesh. If he'd been human, he'd have goosebumps at the feel.

"The enemy is well past our position and will engage your father's forces in less than a tenth of a mark, my Lord," his lieutenant snapped crisply, his own body reacting to the Western Lord's signal excitedly.

"Then we move now," the western heir replied icily, drawing his strength to hand for the battle to come. "When the enemy is fully engaged with my father's group we will attack."

"Hai, my lord," the male replied, his voice betraying his excitement. "We are ready."

Sesshoumaru inclined his head as Akira moved forward, dismissing the junior officer back to his place as he did so. With no further ado he blurred and all those behind him followed, racing with marked fervor towards the battle they had been so impatiently waiting to join. Blooded by victorious battle twice over since entering the north, the combined forces of the other lands would no longer be held back; finally unleashed, their bloodlust was undeniable and an actual force that could be felt rushing across the earth.

It was finally time.

~oOo~

The breathless, waiting stillness just across the plain from Sesshoumaru and his force shattered as Masao gave the command to move out and the much enlarged force under his control blurred into movement at the exact same second that the heir's group had. Like a tidal wave the two groups closed on the field of battle, slowing just enough to give the enemy force ahead of them time to engage the warriors already there. It was all a matter of impeccable timing, something that would be much more difficult for humans than youkai with all their senses and strengths to give them a near perfect ability to use time to their every advantage.

That was why Masao was certain what he'd decided to do with Ryuujin and those under his command would work out just perfectly to cause the most harm and ruin to the Northern Lord. Ryuujin had been entirely eager to take on the task, more than amenable to causing Ryukotsussei as much shame and embarrassment as he possibly could before death.

A cry broke from his throat as the group of dragons turned from his force and wheeled away towards the Northern Palace, which he could see even from where he was approaching the battlefield was already showing great damage. So that was what Touga-sama used the Dragon-Twister on to summon us, he thought with great amusement as his force and Sesshoumaru's reached their appointed places exactly on time and stretched out behind the now furiously battling line ahead of them to crush the enemy between two armies. It was what Ryukotsussei had attempted – but his Lord was much craftier than the dragon Lord and had foreseen just such a thing. He'd decided that using the same tactic and outmaneuvering his opponent would do quite well – and that was why he'd divided his army and hidden over half of it away to await his signal.

That it had finally come meant that this was it – the final part of this war had come and Touga had rolled his dice - and now they would see just who would come out the winners of this whole situation.

His force and Sesshoumaru's slowed and Masao raised his arm and then dropped it to point to the chaos on the field and with a mighty bellow, he yelled, "Engage!"

The noise level immediately elevated as the two forces crashed into the already fighting youkai on the field and Masao drew his weapon with a jagged, dangerous grin as battle fever caught him up in its fierce embrace. Throwing himself into the fray, he fell on his first dismayed victim as the warriors of the other three lands swept over the Northern army like a tsunami, battering those that had thought to do the same to those of their allegiance into so much bloody froth on the already crimson-washed earth.

It wouldn't be long now...

The end was finally in sight.

~oOo~

Just as the second half of Touga's army crested the ridge and broke upon the dragon's forces Ryuyama grinned savagely, pleased – he'd bet that the dog would have more warriors hidden somewhere because there was no way he was truly fool enough to think to conquer the North with such a small force as he'd seemed to have this morning. He'd been right.

And now it was time to put his plans into motion – all while hoping it would be enough to save at least some of his people from the disaster this day had turned out to be. Already it was apparent that well over half of the dragon clans that had existed at the start of this day were gone, and Ryukotsussei would not care because he was a self-centered bastard.

With a high, warbling call he gave the order that he'd been waiting all morning to give – and his remaining clan members immediately turned and began attacking their allies, forcing them to surrender even as Ryuyama made his way to the battle between Ryukotsussei and the Western Lord.

"... have you done, dog?!" Ryukotsussei was practically foaming at the mouth with rage and Ryuyama grinned as he approached; it was apparent from the sounds of battle and screams coming from inside the Northern Palace just what he was talking about.

The inudaiyoukai laughed mockingly, obviously greatly enjoying his battle and his opponent's rage. "I've defeated you, that's what I've done, dragon. It seems the fates favor me and I am quite grateful to them for their approval."

Ryukotsussei was about to answer back when he caught sight of his first mate's father approaching and he turned his ire on him as he realized that the other male wasn't there to assist him, but the dog, instead – he'd just noticed the fact that those wearing Ryuyama's colors were forcing his own soldiers to surrender.

"Traitor!" he screamed, angrier than he could ever remember being. "Why have you sided against your own kind and allied with the bastard dog?!"

"I haven't," Ryuyama said calmly as he came to a halt. "I am saving our people from your madness – what's left of them, anyway," he said sourly. He swept an arm out to indicate the field. "You have doomed us, you fool – less than a third of our people still stand, and you would soon have us all dead. No more. No more will we follow a murderous bastard that cares nothing for his own. It is over, Ryukotsussei – you are the Northern Lord no longer."

Touga chuckled and swiped his sword through the air, the swift sound of its passage making the dragon lord flinch just slightly. "A wise move, Lord..?"

"Ryuyama," he grunted, not taking his eyes off a stunned Ryukotsussei. The dog posed no danger at this point in time, though he knew that could change if he felt threatened, but his former lord was most certainly a danger.

"Ah," Touga replied. "Well, Ryuyama, do you then claim the Northern lands as your own?"

At that question the older male sighed. "I suppose someone will have to take it, and since my own clan is the most numerous after this day, it would seem I have little choice."

He barely had time to get his sword in position as Ryukotsussei, broken out of his stunned stupor at his words attacked viciously, roaring his rage to the skies. He didn't make it too far, however, before he was taken down and bloodied by a glowing whip from the fingers of the Western Lord – the enemy he'd forgotten in his wrath at his former ally.

Leaping back to his feet as soon as the whip disappeared back into Touga's fingers, he looked wildly between the two males and then turned and fled, heading towards what was left of his palace with all his speed.

Caught by surprise at the cowardly move though he shouldn't have been, it took Touga a few moments to react but then he dashed off after the fleeing dragon, not wanting to let him escape.

He wanted to end this today...

His desire was not to be granted, however, for it was not yet time for Ryukotsussei to find his end.

~oOo~

Now! Kagome thought to herself just as both sisters encircled her for what they assumed was to be the finishing blow. They'd been drawn in just as she'd hoped by her seeming weakness and were hovering around her just like vultures would over a wounded and dying animal.

But it was they that were about to become the wounded and dying creature, not her, and with a swiftness that stunned the two dragon-sisters her aura burst into vibrant and powerful life around her as she grabbed the arm of one and allowed her power to inundate the now screaming female. Within seconds it was over, the wildly thrashing ice dragon in human form gone as if she'd never existed.

Shock held the other sister immobile as part of her very being was destroyed, and then she crumpled to the ground, all her strength gone as an immense pain unlike anything she'd ever experienced engulfed her. Wide eyes looked up and into saddened blue ones.

"How did you hide such power from us?" she whispered, slumping further as death reached out with cold hands and tugged at her soul.

"You only saw what you expected to see," Kagome replied after a moment. "Your arrogance was your undoing. You could not truly believe that there was a simple little human that could be stronger than you, so when I held my aura checked within me you closed your eyes to the possibility that I was more than I seemed and took me at face value, instead, despite what you'd been told about me."

"And you look so regretful," the dragon said on a sigh as her eyes fell closed forever and she dissipated just as her sister had.

Kagome closed her own eyes for a moment and said a prayer for the departed, wishing she hadn't had to do what she had but knowing that it had been inevitable. After a moment she opened her eyes and looked down at a blood-covered but healthy Kirara, and then out towards the battle that seemed to be winding down.

She could feel her husband's energy flaring strongly across the field and was supremely grateful that he was okay, but she frowned as she took in the dragons that were seemingly attacking their own though not killing them, merely making them throw down their weapons and surrender. And then she gasped in surprise as she caught just a flash as her husband sped towards the Northern palace after the powerful aura belonging to its former Lord, and without even thinking about it she was on Kirara's back and directing her to follow Touga's trail.

She wasn't about to let him get hurt if she could help it, and chasing into a building filled with battling youkai while after a very dangerous daiyoukai of great stature and evil temperament was decidedly more perilous than she was willing to ignore.

The danger to herself she didn't even consider, for his life was much more important than hers – not only to her, but in reality as well. Because if she died she wouldn't be leaving behind a land whose only heir was nowhere near ready to take them over, no matter what he thought.

No... Touga could not be spared – he was needed, and Kagome was determined to make sure that he would still be there after this day was over...

No matter the cost.

But deep down she and Kirara both knew that today was not her day to die, either, and so she entered the partially burnt and destroyed Northern Palace without fear, merely caution, and ignored most of those fighting there unless they got in her way.

She couldn't help but wonder, however, where Ryukotsussei was so determined to get to – by entering the shiro's walls he'd seemingly trapped himself, and though he could escape said walls by taking his true form and breaking free from the building he would still be vulnerable to Touga while doing so and that just made no sort of sense.

So what is he trying so desperately to reach?

~oOo~

A/N: I apologize for the wait on this chapter, everyone. My move did not go as smoothly as I would have preferred and so I had no time or even energy for writing until recently. But I am back to posting, as those who are regular readers of my fictions know, so I hope you all enjoy this chapter and continue to look forward to new ones!

Amber