Love Lost, and Love Found
Disclaimer: Don not own InuYasha and related characters.
Chapter 11: You want to what?
InuYasha took a strained step back as Shirey's twin blade fell upon the Tetsusaiga
With a strained shout he managed to push her back and get a few slashes in on her. There was only one problem to sparring with this girl. He could not hit her. She was way too damn fast. They had been sparring for ten minutes and he already had numerous cuts and bruises all over his body, while she had remained unmarred.
With a mighty swing he pulled back his sword and yelled, "Wind scar!" Only to gape in astonishment at the empty space before him.
He then spun around on his heel just in time to hear, "Ice Wave," he then squeaked as Shirey put her swords in an 'X' formation, sending a shockwave of ice shards in InuYasha's general direction.
A few minutes later Shirey was helping a frost covered Inuyasha off the ground. "You fight really well; however may I recommend something? Don't yell out your attack as your about to do it. Especially for something as simple as 'Iron Reverse Soul Stealer', it totally ruins the moment." Shirey said as she sheathed her swords and began to drink from a goatskin full of water.
"What about you? You yelled out 'Ice Wave'." InuYasha said as he wiped some frost off of his bare chest.
"Yes, but I did that in order to warn you. A true warrior shouts out their attacks only in order to warn their allies in battle." Shirey explained as she shrugged.
"But for simple attacks such as, 'Blades of Blood' or 'Iron Reverse Soul Stealer' which are attacks that hit only one foe. You should not have to yell them out." She finished as she pulled her hair out of its ponytail.
"But then how come my brother would announce his attacks during personal battles between us?" InuYasha asked in confusion as he ran his fingers through his hair.
"Have you ever even considered that maybe your brother wasn't trying to kill you in battle? That just maybe he was training you?" Shirey asked as she turned her attention to Mina who was currently sparring with both Kouga and Jirou, leaving behind a confused InuYasha to figure out his older brother.
"Kouga could not believe the woman he was sparring… here she was sparring against two of the most powerful wolves on his tribe, and she wasn't even breaking a sweat.
He was currently staring at the woman who stood before him. She had one hand on her hip and the other lazily holding her scythe at her side.
"So boys… is that all the big bad wolves got? Or are you holding back because I am a girl? Cause if you are holding back because I am a girl, give it up. Or I'll kick your butts for real."
In response Kouga leaned over and punched the ground with all his strength, calling upon his element of stone to send shockwaves of stone and rock at Mina.
Mina quickly jumped into the air while sending a surge of dark power into her claws, creating a black energy whip which she quickly used to cut through any rock or dirt that approached her.
She landed nimbly on the ground with her back to the two wolves, she quickly turned around and asked, "That all you got?"
(A.N. Just to mention they are sparring in an open field.)
Jirou smiled and replied, "Not quite, we still got some tricks up our pelts."
He then quickly darted forward and attacked her with his spear. Mina brought up her scythe and quickly blocked his attacks.
Jirou then held his staff horizontally out in front of himself and shouted, "Heaven Strike!" Hearing this shout Kouga became alert and darted out of range of Mina and Jirou.
Mina looked skyward as she heard a distant rumbling. Milliseconds later thousands of lightning bolts covered the training field.
A few minutes after the field had cleared, Mina wheezed out, "Nice… move… I give."
"It was a nice move little brother." Replied a strange yet familiar voice as it entered the clearing.
Five heads whipped around to see Sesshomaru entered the clearing with a tall black wolf that bore a striking resemblance to Jirou. He was dressed in a black and red warrior's garb, bearing a crescent moon on his right shoulder. Bright red eyes peered out from under a mane of black hair.
"Little brother? You're two minutes older then me! That hardly makes you older…" Jirou said as he approached and embraced the strange man.
"Yes; however I have moved up in the world. I am now the head of the western army. I answer only to my lord, his lady, and the kami's themselves. But I must admit, it is nice to be home again." The man in black responded.
Mina regarded the man skeptically before saying, "Well Jirou, you going to introduce us or leave us hanging."
"Oh, sorry, this is my twin brother Reno, general of the western army." Jirou explained slapping his brother on the back.
Meanwhile Sesshomaru approached InuYasha with his usually somber face
Sesshomaru was shocked at how much his brother had changed since he had last seen him. InuYasha seemed happier, his eyes held an unusual brightness to them. A great smile was upon his face, and there was now an air of maturity upon him.
"Younger brother, I would like to offer to help you control your seemingly untamable Youkai blood. Being your older brother I am the only Youkai alive who is able to apologize for taking Kagome from you. I now know how much she meant to you." Sesshomaru explained as an apologetic look crossed his face.
InuYasha shrugged and replied, "Actually I should be thanking you. Had you not fallen for Kagome, I probably would have never fallen for my true love." He then cast a loving glance at Kouga who stood in behind Sesshomaru next to Mina.
Catching the look Sesshomaru turned around and asked incredulously, "You fell for a panther youkai??"
"WHAT?? Eww… hell no… he's dog boys lover… gross…" Mina shouted as she shoved Kouga forward.
"Ha! I knew the pathetic half breed would mar the family name, and with a man no less." An annoying voice screeched as Jaken stepped out from in behind Ah-Uhn who had just entered the area.
Sesshomaru grinned wickedly at Jaken before punting him back into the forest.
"I couldn't leave in the castle since Kagome was about ready to purify him to kingdom come, and I can't bring Kagome since she's pregnant with my pups. So I had no choice but to take him along. Feel free to beat on him, just don't kill him… yet." Sesshomaru explained.
"Anyways, congratulations little brother, you have chosen a fine mate. Now are we the last ones here or are we expecting others?" he asked causing everyone to stare at him in shock.
"Okay, who are you and what have you done with my cold hearted older brother?" InuYasha finally asked after he got over the shock.
"InuYasha, you would know better then anyone how much love can change a person. I mean looking at you right now; you seem to have matured immensely. You also seem stronger to me." Sesshomaru stated as he placed both of his arms into his voluminous sleeves.
"Whoa, when did you get your arm back?" InuYasha asked in shock as he stred at Sesshomaru's left arm.
"Kagome returned it to me during our mating." Sesshomaru said, "Now shall we head back to the caves? I would like to meet with Lady Kanjo, we should also decide upon our course of action."
After receiving a nod from all those present, Sesshomaru headed off towards the caves. He was followed in behind by InuYasha and Kouga who were talking about how much Sesshomaru had changed Reno and Jirou walked a few steps in behind trading stories with each other as they caught up.
Second last in line was Shirey and Mina, who were giggling and gossiping about the parade of men before them.
And last in line was Ah-Uhn who carried a now unconscious Jaken in his mouth.
Now that the party was all there, all that was left to do was to begin their journey to the South.
QXQXQXQXQXQXQXQXQXQXQXQXQXQXQXQXQXQXQXQXQXQXQXQ
Blech… Not my best chapter ever. There might be some yummy smut next chapter. Dunno… depends on homework load.
Sorry bout the two boring chapters needed to introduce the new team.
Now I have a question to ask you.
I am thinking of adding another character to the story.
Out of these five who should it be.
Shippou (slightly older like 14)
Miroku
Kirara
Kohaku (Sango's brother)
Shiori (bat girl (half blood))
Milana Despana