NVP

Chapter 2

Gor'lan was pissed. He had claimed rights to his prey just moments after they had landed and after only a brief battle with the enormous creature, it had run away. He couldn't understand it. The beast had easily made up fifteen of him and it had chosen to flee like a coward.

Tor'mac stood behind him after the thing had retreated, clicking his mandibles together in amusement. This only served to aggravate him further.

Tor'mac growled and pointed with his spear in the direction it had fled. Gor'lan caught his meaning and both ran to catch up with his prey. To leave prey wounded would dishonor his name.

Inuyasha drew Tetsusaiga and pointed it at the dragon. It, in kind, bared its fangs. It seemed to hesitate a moment, then sniffed the air and spoke it a gruff voice.

"Back down, half breed, and I shall spare you this night."

Inuyasha smirked and took a fighting stance.

"Feh. Not likely. You're not exactly in top form are you? I could smell your blood before you even got here."

The dragon flinched at that and looked at the wound on its leg. It still bled freely and caused him a great deal of pain.

"What's wrong, busy night?"

Miroku, now shaken from his initial shock, stared at Inuyasha incredulously.

"Don't be so hasty, Inuyasha! Don't forget what it is we're dealing with!"

"Butt out, Miroku. I know exactly what I'm dealing with." He turned his attention back to his opponent. "An overgrown lizard too weak to put up a decent fight. Looks like you tried to eat something that disagreed with you."

The dragon was now practically shaking with rage. It snarled and drew in a breath.

"Enough!"

Flames flew from its mouth in a deadly display of its power. Inuyasha leapt just above the flames and slashed at their source, barely missing his goal. As the battle ensued and the combatants dueled, neither was aware of the slight rustle in the trees, or of the attention their fight was drawing.

Gor'lan had wanted to attack, but Tor'mac was curious. The small creature that had confronted their prey carried itself as a warrior but wore no armor. Was it that assured of itself that it would face such an opponent with nothing but the large weapon it now held? For now they would observe. Tor'mac was in no hurry. After all, they had only just arrived and all signs pointed to an excellent hunt.

High above the commotion on the ground so as not to draw attention, a single feather floated, also watching the action.

'Damn that Naraku, sending me on his errands once again.' Kagura recalled his orders with disgust.

"Kagura, go and search the surrounding countryside for anything unusual."

Naraku had seemed unusually shaken. What had caused him to be so pensive, even frightened? Surely not the dragon. Naraku would probably absorb it, given the chance.

As she watched the battle raging below, she noticed the path the dragon had carved through the forest. It seemed it had been in a hurry to get somewhere.

'Or to get way from something.'

She drifted along the path of destruction until she came to a small clearing where it stopped. Kagura landed and placed the feather back in her dark hair. Blood stained the ground and huge gouges were cut where the dragon had apparently missed his pursuer. She was about to leave when she noticed something in the center of the clearing. She had almost missed it entirely.

It looked like a very large heatwave at first, as if a fire burned somewhere on the ground. She moved closer. There was no fire, nothing but the object.

'Is it a barrier? Is this what he sent me to find?'

Either way, she was sure Naraku would want to know.

Kagome notched an arrow and fired, aiming for the dragon's neck. The arrow hit its mark but glanced harmlessly off and fell to the ground. The beast roared and lunged for her.

"Inuyasha!"

He landed next to her and scooped her up into just as the dragon hit where she'd been standing. He set her down next to Shippo who at some point had left her side and hid in the bushes.

"Stay back Kagome, I can handle this."

"Alright, sorry."

"Don't apologize, just stay here."

Inuyasha leapt back at the dragon who was spitting out a mouthful of dirt as it turned towards him.

'Too slow'

Inuyasha held his sword out to his side as he passed, scoring another gash along its leg. He landed behind it and was about to go back for another when the dragon suddenly fell over…hard. Inuyasha shouldered his sword and walked calmly around to the dragon's head. It was alive but its eyes looked dim and hopeless. The majestic creature looked tired, defeated, and perhaps even sad.

"Lets finish this." Inuyasha said coldly, raising Tetsusaiga for the final cut. The dragon squeezed its eyes shut, preparing for the end.

"Please."

Inuyasha's eyes widened in confusion and he hesitated.

"Please." It said again, still holding its eyes shut. "For the sake of my children!"

This caused the entire group to draw their breath. When the blade didn't fall, the dragon opened its eyes again and addressed them, still sounding worried.

"I have never begged before but, for their sake please allow me to leave."

"What for? So they can grow up and terrorize the surrounding villages just like 'dear old dad?"

The dragon heaved itself off of the ground. It glared at Inuyasha with disgust and looked offended by the accusation.

"I have never once in the ages I have lived EVER harmed a human soul, and I expect nothing less from my hatchlings."

"Really? Then why did you attack us?" Miroku asked.

"I didn't. I was fleeing back to my lair and you were in my way and I reacted…rashly. And for that I apologise."

"Fleeing?" Sango said, surprised. "From what?"

The dragon looked back in the direction it had come.

"In truth, I'm not sure. I never actually saw my attacker. But I do know it was highly skilled as a warrior." It said, motioning to its old wound.

There were a few moments of silence, then the dragon suddenly tensed.

"I can smell that my attacker is close by, it seems I've been followed."

Inuyasha sniffed the air and detected the same scent that had bothered him before. Only now it was much stronger, and it definitely wasn't human. He wasn't so sure it was a demon either though.

"Hey Miroku, can you sense any demons nearby?"

"No. Why? Is your nose not working?" He asked sarcastically.

Inuyasha growled and sent a glare back at him.

"No, it's just that I can smell something but I'm not sure it's a demon."

Miroku frowned and spoke what all of them were thinking.

"What else would it be?"

"Lets worry about that later, you two." Sango spoke up.

"Yes our 'guest' is still here."

Inuyasha turned away from the dragon and sheathed his sword.

"What, you still here?"

The dragon gave a weak smile and proceeded to limp towards the mountains. The group, with exception of Inuyasha, watched in awe as the dragon departed. Even in defeat the creature left one stunned by its beauty and majesty.

While the others stared, Inuyasha was busy trying to pinpoint the source of the mystery smell. It was close and it wasn't moving that much he was sure of. That meant they were being watched from somewhere. Inuyasha growled.

"Come on."

Everyone turned towards him with a confused look. Kagome looked tired and angry.

"Come on what? It's the middle of the night!"

"Well thanks to that dragon and whatever attacked it, it's not safe here anymore."

Kagome sighed. "I guess you're right."

Tor'mac had watched the entire scene unfold with growing interest. The small warrior had easily defeated the great beast and then had let it go. At first this had confused both Tor'mac and Gor'lan, but then Tor'mac remembered an old saying he'd heard from some of the elders.

'Doubt is necessary or it is but an exercise.'

So, he had known he would win from the start and had honorably released the unworthy prey. Interesting.

Gor'lan watched the beast leave once again. This time though, he would not follow. The warrior had wounded it still more and it would not be able to properly defend itself.

The small group had started to break camp. While the others prepared to leave, the warrior repeatedly scanned the tree line. Tor'mac listened as he inhaled deeply, obviously smelling for something. The hunters watched as the warrior grew frustrated and turned away, walking back to the others. As they exited the clearing, Gor'lan stood and began walking away, heading back towards their ship. Tor'mac could have these 'oomans', he would find his own prey. True, the song of the small warriors' death would be an honorable one, but surely he could find one better.

Tor'mac rose from his crouched position and watched his brother depart. Traditionally, neither of them would speak while on the hunt. No words were needed. They knew each other well, just as Tor'mac knew why Gor'lan had gone. On every hunt there was a silent competition between the two, each trying to outdo the other by returning with the best trophy of their hunt and telling the story of their victory. Thus far, Tor'mac had won almost every time. In fact there had only actually been once when Gor'lan had bested him, and of course Gor'lan had delighted in placing that trophy upon their wall.

Tor'mac placed a hand over his left eye, over the jagged scar that hunt had given him. It had been long ago, when they were still under a leader themselves…

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