Chapter 16

Inuyasha sped through the trees, as fast as his feet would take him. Finding a tall pine, he leapt up into its highest branches. He could hear the dogs on his trail. He know they would find him. But, he was a dog, after all. What good would that be if he couldn't outsmart his own kind. The barking got louder. He could understand what they were saying,

:got the scent, got the scent:

Inuyasha barked as loud as he could,

:further into the woods, further into the woods:

The dogs came up to his tree and started barking at it. Inuyasha howled and barked as he leapt to another tree,

:this way, this way:

The dogs started heading further into the woods, their owners following.

Inuyasha settled onto a branch. Finally, safety. He breathed easier. But wait, what was he feeling? What was this strange sensation of needing to go back. Back to where he came from. What was his mind telling him? Mate? Pups? He held his head as if he had a splitting headache.

'KILL'

The voice got louder in his head, throbbing against his temples.

The voice urged him to continue killing and bring back the kill to his mate and pups. He jumped to the ground and into a hunting stance. He sniffed. Ahhh fresh meat was coming. Coming his way. He heard the barking of a dog. The scent of a human male. He turned and faced his prey. The human male appeared, The dog went crazy. The claws flew.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

The scream was heard throughout the forest. The rest of the hunters turned their dogs and followed the scream. The dogs followed the scent of fresh blood.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Back at the house, Bunza informed his mother that Yasha, Shaoran, Shirrow, Kentaro, and Kieran would be there by morning. Other sons would soon follow. They were all worried about Inuyasha. Bunza got out a rifle and got his tranquilizer darts. Making sure the tranquilizer would be enough to take down his father, he prepared the gun. Kagome prepared her bow and arrow as did Izayoi. Mashai insisted on travelling with the women to the house to hunt for Kanna and Kagura.

Bunza stopped and sniffed. Following his lead, the other pups sniffed. The smell was sickening. Human blood. Canine blood. Fresh. Screams were heard outside from neighbors. Panicked screams. And grunting. Barking.

"That's Inuyasha!", Kagome said, recognizing her mate's voice.

"Stay back, Okaa-san. He's not himself.", Phillip said, panicked.

"Christ, he killed!", said Bunza.

"What?", cried out Kagome, "Killed? What did he kill?"

"The blood,", Mashai said.

"It's human.", added Izayoi.

"And canine.", said Ian, softly.

"Fuck ... he killed a cop or a ranger and his dog.", Phillip, quietly.

Kagome broke down and cried. Inuyasha hadn't murdered in years. His murderous full-demon self was back.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Outside, Inuyasha looked around. He smelled salt.

'Tears.', his brain said to him, 'Mate is crying.'

'Why is she crying?', he asked himself.

'Because you tried to kill her earlier. Fear.', his brain responded back.

Oblivious to the screams of fear around him, he entered the house, breaking down the door, taking in his kill to his family. He had to apologize for trying to kill his mate. What had come over him to make him do that? Surely, his gift of food would satisfy her and make up for his earlier behavior.

'Yes,', he thought to himself, 'Food is good. Mate like food.'

But instead of being welcomed back with open arms, he was met with disgust as his female pups screamed in horror and his male pups attempted to shield the females from his 'gift'. Most of all, his mate just stared, wide-eyed and confused, before beginning to cry again. This wasn't what he was expecting. He was Alpha Male. Leader of the Pack. They should be bowing to him. Licking his chin and showing him favor. Not backing away in fear. He would show them. They must obey.

:SUBMIT, he barked in Inu-Youkai.

The younger pups, at the urging of the oldest male pup, ran upstairs and hid. How dare the oldest male, the current Beta pup, order his family away. He already looked like he had been in a tussle and lost. Did he battle the Beta pup and think he was now in charge? Well, Alpha male would show him who was the leader. Inuyasha barked,

:Stand Down Beta:

Bunza barked back,

:No! I protect pack. You are dangerous:

Inuyasha responded,

:I protect pack. I am leader. Stand Down and Submit. Or Die:

Bunza raised the gun. He couldn't miss. Aiming it at his father's thigh, he pulled the trigger. The dart hit Inuyasha squarely on the thigh. Dropping his kill, he howled a painful howl and ran out the door. He was greeted by the cops and rangers with their dogs, as they emerged from the woods, guns and rifles drawn. As the bullets flew, Inuyasha attacked with claws and fangs. Blood was everywhere, as was body parts of humans and dogs. Inuyasha lept into the trees and fled into the mountainous woods, away from the danger. Bunza and the others could only stare at the carnage Inuyasha had left behind.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From somewhere in the trees, a man laughed an insidious laugh. Yes, his plan was beginning to take shape. Now to dispose of them. Since Inuyasha obviosu could not do it, someone else would need too. Someone with a murderous streak in them. And he knew just who to use ...