Anika

Chapter 30

"Stay here if anything gets by me I want you to run. Do you understand me?" Anika asked Izayoi before she ran off to help Saber.

"I understand." Izayoi had her hands clutched at her chest as though she was already getting ready to run. Transforming into her demon form Anika flew over to the entrance where Saber was limping and was severely bleeding. Roaring at Ritza Anika swung her tail which was dripping with venom at Ritza who staggered back a couple of steps surprised at her attack. Ritza decided to transform as well and soon took a swipe at Anika forcing her to dodge quickly. Anika suddenly realized in the midst of the battle that all her agility training had paid off as she was moving through the poses with ease. Snarling in pain Anika was distracted and had her snout was clawed open. Snorting in pain and stepping back a couple of steps Anika shook the blood droplets out of her eyes before resuming her attack.

"Touga is not here and neither is Sesshomaru so I can kill you now half-breed scum and that human whore he has here." Ritza snarled maliciously at Anika.

"Father left me in charge because he knows that I am more than capable of defending this castle. You will not get close to her." Anika slashed at Ritza's side and drew blood as four long gashes appeared red on the Inu's white pelt. Getting angry Ritza went for a killing blow but at the same moment Saber leaped in front of Anika and took the hit head on. Anika saw Saber's body go limp as blood spewed everywhere.

"Saber!" Anika howled in shock. Roaring in rage Anika was now serious with her attacks and soon had Ritza backpedalling to get away from her attacks. Piercing Ritza with her venomous wing spurs Ritza felt her body slowly begin to transform back to her humanoid form against her will and knew that she had lost the fight. Drawing her last strength Ritza had summoned her poison whip but Anika was much stronger and had more energy and soon had released five blood spikes that hit Ritza but before Anika could finish her off Ritza disappeared using her demon speed. Whimpering Anika transformed back before she ran to Saber who was laying on the ground panting lightly.

"Saber can you hear me?" Anika shook Saber's shoulder trying to get a response out of her. There was so much blood on the ground and it scared Anika that Saber just might die. Trying to put pressure on Saber's wounded neck Anika tried to stop the bleeding but the red blood continued to flow just as strongly as before. Deciding to call for her father Anika flew all the way up to the highest point on the castle roof and produced consecutive very high pitched yelps hoping that her father or brother would hear her. Flying back down to Saber's side Anika was whimpering and keened as she tried to comfort Saber as she could feel how much pain she was in.

"Anika? What happened?" Suddenly her father was next to her as well as her brother.

"Ritza attacked and Saber tried to hold her off but she got injured and I can't stop the bleeding." Anika was on the verge of tears as she hoped her father could save Saber. Touga knew that going to the healers would take too long and that Saber was close to passing so deciding to take matters in his own hands Touga licked Saber's wounds using his healing saliva and was very relieved that the deep claw marks began to stop bleeding and that the skin began to scab over. Picking up the cat Touga brought her into Anika's room because if he left her to sleep at the healer's wing he knew Saber would never stay.

"She will heal but she just needs to rest for now." Touga told Anika who was hovering over Saber like a mother hen.

"Izayoi is in the garden she might be scared but she is unhurt Ritza never made it past the front gates." Anika told her father while stroking Saber's fur gently.

"Thank you Anika." Touga knew that Anika had no intention of leaving Saber's side until she awoke.

"Papa one more thing when I was first visiting her I overheard one of the guards planning to kill Izayoi and chase you out of the West. He is currently in the dungeons right now I told him that you would deal with him when you came back." Anika could feel her father's anger but knew that it was not directed at her but at the guard.

"I will deal with him pup thank you." Touga swiftly left the room too angry to keep talking. Going into the dungeons Touga smelt the guards fear as soon as he was in front of his cell.

"My lord I did not mean anything I said." The guard tried to defend himself. Touga unlocked the cell and slowly walked into the cell causing the guards fear to spike drastically. Touga's eyes bled red as his anger doubled as he could smell the guards lie and his claws were in the guard's chest before either one of them could see the movement. Squeezing the guards heart Touga killed the guard instantly. Wiping the blood on the dead guards clothes Touga satisfied his anger and went to greet his mate and see if she was okay.

"Izayoi are you okay?" Touga calmly walked to his mate who smelt of fear and confusion.

"I am fine is Anika and Saber okay I heard Anika yelping?" Izayoi rushed into her mate's embrace as she searched his face for an answer.

"Anika is fine but Saber has to rest for a couple of days but she is fine as of now." Touga ran his hands through his mate's hair enjoying her scent. Hugging his mate close to him Touga didn't want to let go but knew that he had to get back to his duty. Kissing his mate passionately Touga smiled at her before he left the gardens to inform his guards that Ritza is not allowed into the castle without his permission.

"Sesshomaru I have to finish the border patrolling but you have to stay back to protect Anika in case something happens again." Touga was waiting for Sesshomaru to talk back to him.

"Yes father I was expecting as such." Sesshomaru actually didn't mind staying back because he cared for his sister a lot and hoped that she was fine.

"Thank you pup you will get your chance again I promise." Touga smiled at his pup as he left the castle once again but alone this time.

"Anika are you okay?" Sesshomaru timidly asked his sister as he entered her bedroom.

"It should have been me to take that blow I could have handled it." Anika spoke in an uncharacteristically sad voice.

"Anika Saber took that hit because she wanted to protect you and if you threw your life away she would never be able to forgive you." Sesshomaru tried to speak sense into Anika.

"If she ever shows her face around here again I will not be as lenient. I know she is your mother Sesshomaru but she does not act like one." Anika glanced up at her brother from under her fringe.

"I understand pup and I would do the same." Sesshomaru hugged his sister knowing that she needed him to be strong for the both of them.