Love Lost, and Love Found
Disclaimer: I do not own them, never have never will.
Chapter 10: Southern Assassins
Kouga and InuYasha quickly rushed to the entrance of the cave. Upon their arrival they saw a group of wolf demons anxiously talking to Jirou. As they neared the group they heard snippets of the conversation.
"…pair of strong Neko Youkai…"
"… another half blood…"
"… southern intruders…"
"…panther youkai…"
"…almost at the caves…"
Finally after noticing that they were there, Jirou turned around and addressed Kouga and InuYasha explaining, "Our dawn sentries caught sight of a strange pair of Neko Youkai approaching from the south. One appears to be a cheetah half breed, the other a full blood panther youkai, they have nearly arrived at the caves. What do you think we should do Kouga?"
"Most likely it's just the assassins from the south but just incase InuYasha and I will go out and meet these strangers. If they are indeed a threat we will dispose of them." Kouga said, receiving a nod of approval from InuYasha and Jirou.
Kouga and InuYasha walked outside by side and approached the women who had just broken through the tree line.
"Stop! Who are you, and what business do you have in the Eastern Lands?" Kouga shouted as he cracked his knuckles.
The two women watched as one of the women stepped forward. She stood at five foot eight, and she wore a long sleeve black shirt with a light brown vest on top. For pants she wore light brown pants that were bound with a tight black string on the side. Knee high light brown boots finished the ensemble. She had pitch black hair with blond streaks that cascaded down her back to rest just above her butt. Golden green eyes peaked out from under wispy black bangs, a pair of crescent shaped katanas rested calmly against her hips, and a golden spotted tail swayed in behind her.
"I am Shirey, youngest daughter of Lord DanDegu. He sent me and my partner Mina to represent the Southern Lands. This here is Mina, she is formerly of the panther tribe. We are my father's top assassins," Shirey finished with a bow.
In behind her Mina nodded her head. Standing at a mere five foot five, she wore a pair of short black pants that stopped just below her knees, and a short sleeved black shirt that stopped just above her navel. She had short black hair with red highlights and dark red eyes. Resting peacefully on her back was an onyx black scythe, and a pitch black tail could be seen waving peacefully in behind her.
"May I ask who you are?" Shirey asked warily as her right hand rested warily on the sword resting on her left hip.
"I am Kouga prince of the eastern lands, and this here is InuYasha a prince of the western lands and the hanyou who defeated Naraku." Kouga explained as he revealed a set of markings on his face that had been previously concealed.
InuYasha gazed curiously at the golden sun that now sat upon Kouga's brow, there was also a pair of twin light brown stripes on each of his cheeks.
InuYasha lightly chuckled as he heard Kouga growl, "I hate these damn things, they make me look like a chick. Now that I have proven to you who I am, prove to me that you are who you say you are." Kouga said as he cast a skeptical glance at the two women.
InuYasha then watched as Shirey sighed, revealing a black five pointed star upon her forehead, and a single black stripe on each cheek.
"Thank you, you may now approach. I merely wanted to ensure the safety of my clan." Kouga said as he concealed his markings from view.
InuYasha appeared pensive for a moment before turning to Kouga and asking, "Koi, why is it that you and Sesshomaru have two stripes yet Shirey here only has one on each cheek.
Mina, who had heard the question as she approached retorted, "God, for a western prince you're pretty dense. Prince Kouga and Lord Sesshomaru bear twin marked cheeks because they are the first born to the previous lord of their respective lands. Or in Kouga's case achieved that goal due to a death. Shirey only has one marking because she is a lesser child. I'm surprised you didn't know that do you yourself not only possess singular markings?"
"Yeah, but only in my pure blood form, and I didn't know this because I was never really accepted as a prince of the west." InuYasha spat back.
"Oh and how can I trust you panther? Your kind hate the Inu's and the wolves. How do I know this is not all just a rouse to try and assassinate the Western and Eastern Lords" InuYasha growled as he gripped Tetsusaiga.
"I believe I can answer that. You see Mina is not like most Panthers, she does not see a point to all the useless fighting between her species and yours. So she left the panthers, during her time as a rogue she managed to rescue my father who was being ambushed by invading forces from the North. She gained his favour and accompanied him home. We quickly became friends and eventually became known as the South's top assassins. I give you my word as a princess of the south that I trust her with my life, and that she is as honourable a warrior as you will ever meet." Shirey explained as she approached InuYasha and Kouga with a smile.
InuYasha then turned to Shirey and said rather bluntly, "You sure don't look like no hanyou."
Without missing a beat Mina shot back, "and you sure don't look like the all powerful half blood who took out Naraku."
"Point taken…" said InuYasha with a nod of his head.
"My father taught me how to control my Youkai blood. He even taught me how to hide my kitty ears from view, leaving only my tail giving the appearance that I am full blood. Why do you ask? Has no one taught you how to control your youkai blood?" asked Shirey.
"No, my father died on the day of my birth protecting my mother, and my brother was never really friendly towards me. By any chance would you be able to teach me?" InuYasha asked with a spark of hope.
"I'm afraid not, only your blood relations can teach how to conceal your blood. Your best bet would be to ask Lord Sesshomaru." Shirey replied while sadly shaking her head.
"Shirey, let me put it to you this way. To ask my brother for help would be like asking for a death certificate. He hates me and has tried many a time in the past to kill me." InuYasha said, before turning around and walking back to the caves.
"Come with us, the Western party should be here any day now. You are more then welcome to stay at out cave and train with us during the day," Kouga said as he followed InuYasha home to the caves.
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After ensuring that the women were comfortable, Kouga and InuYasha retired to their room for the night.
"So what do you think about the Southern Assassins my love?" Kouga asked as he removed his chest armour and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Shirey's cool, I wouldn't mind sparring against her. Mina on the other hand is another story. She's arrogant, hard headed, loud mouthed, and overly rude." InuYasha answered as he also took off his upper clothing and lay back on the bed.
"Yeah, she kinda reminds me of you…" Kouga said in a teasing voice as he stuck out his tongue.
InuYasha rolled his eyes as he leaned forward and kissed the protruding appendage sweetly.
"We should go to sleep now my love," he said as he pulled Kouga closed to him and drifted into a peaceful sleep.
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Hi new chapter. Sorry if it was boring, this one and the next one are mainly about introducing new characters, and a small fight scene.
Milana Despana
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