A/N: not much to put atm other than this is one chap basically full of action scenes so enjoy!
disclaimer: i don't own InuYasha; my OCs belong to me.
Chapter 22: Not Afraid, Headstrong
He tilted his head to one side. "I'm surprised you don't wish to join in fishing." He mused to her.
She shrugged and watched her sister snatch two fish from the stream, snuggling into his right side and letting him squeeze her waist. "Water and me don't particularly mix. Guess it's because of my powers," she replied around a stifled yawn.
He chuckled quietly, seeing her ears twitch. "If I didn't know better, I'd have think I mated with a cat." He said thoughtfully.
She snorted and jabbed her elbow into his ribs. "Piss off, fluffy." She grumbled.
He smirked proudly and hugged her waist affectionately.
A strange scent wafted in the air, assailing both daiyokai's noses.
His arm slipped from her waist as he shuffled to his feet, letting her flop onto the ground.
"Sesshomaru," she began to scold him.
"Come on," he extended his hand to help her to her feet.
She took it, squeezing his hand and walking at his side as he followed the scent downriver.
If she didn't know any better, she'd have sworn she was smelling the scent of a cat.
He finally stopped as they both noted the river freezing with a thin-yet-sturdy layer of ice; she bristled slightly as the stink of cat was stronger now.
"If it isn't Tohran," he greeted the perpetrator as they looked at the sight of a panther yokai with wild ice blue hair and pale skin wearing a blue kimono with the right sleeve cut off, a black katana at her hip.
"It's been a long time, Sesshomaru." She returned coolly.
He scoffed, "I thought you were dead."
"That's a nice way to greet someone!" She jibed, her ears perking as she let her blue stare shift to the stony-eyed silver stare of the female daiyokai at his right side. "And who's this? Your scent is reeking off of her. She's not your pet, is she?" She wondered, looking at him before smirking at the she-wolf.
"Getsu, Okami-Daiyokai of the West." She answered before he could spout a remark, seeing the female yokai's eyes sharpen in recognition.
"So you're the spawn of Lord Kiba. You have his eyes; I'd heard your pathetic pack of dogs died out over a century ago." A bristle rippled through the she-wolf but other than that she kept a poker-face on her pretty face. "Shame you didn't die with them; it'd be one less mongrel to deal with." Tohran sneered.
Getsu flashed her teeth as her aura threatened to pulse angrily, huffing. "My father mentioned your kind once; he helped the Inu no Taisho defeat your master and send him into his damn grave where he rightfully belonged. It's only common sense that a cat would have his neck snapped in half by the jaws of a dog." She snarled frostily.
"Spunky, I'll give you that. You must be proud, Sesshomaru." She smirked at the Inu-Daiyokai. "It's time we settle things."
His eyes were closed serenely even though his mate could sense that he was pissy. "We settled things a long time ago, but if you insist." He mused, eyes opening and looking at the panther stonily. "You won't be as lucky as you once were fifty years ago."
"You're still as boorish as ever, I see; not even this bitch you've claimed has lightened your mood. But things will be different this time around; our master is waiting for you." She replied, a glint appearing in her eyes that made the she-wolf bristle again.
She huffed. "So he's on his last nine lives? Cats really are pathetic creatures." She growled.
"Yes, the one that leads the panther tribe; I understand your dear father is dead, just like hers. But our master is going to be resurrected at long last." She stated, seeming smug about it.
Both daiyokai bristled. "'Resurrected'?" He repeated. "But for what purpose?"
"To attack the lands in the East once again, and to get revenge on you and all your kind." She growled the last bit.
He huffed, "I'll see to it that he never breathes again." He vowed.
"I'm glad to see you've accepted my challenge!" He gripped the hilt of Tokijin. "Don't be so hasty; we won't settle the score here. Come to our castle, and bring all the reinforcements that you'll require!" She declared as the ice erupted from beneath and she disappeared with the cold wind that picked up with her ice.
The day returned to the normal clear-skied image as he released the hilt.
"You're not going to stay behind." He didn't ask.
She huffed. "Of course not. Those arrogant flea-bags have another thing coming if they believe the daughters of the Okami-Daiyokai Kiba are just going to sit back and bite our claws off." She mused as she folded her arms over her chest.
He smirked and nodded, "as I figured." He replied, seeing her smirk back, before the remaining members of their party ran forward with fish in their hands.
"Lord Sesshomaru, look how many fish Kori-onee, Jaken and I caught!" The girl giggled as she held up at least ten gathered fish by a string.
"Jaken, the panther demon tribe is back." He informed the imp as his mate ruffled the girl's hair and smiled lightly.
Both the imp and female yokai balked. "W-what're they doing back here?" The imp squeaked.
"Onee-chan, the cats Father helped vanquish…" Korihime began, recalling the old story their father had told when she was younger.
Getsu nodded. "You're coming too, Kori." She instructed.
She nodded, smirking widely. "Well it's about time we get serious." She mused.
"Rin, listen to me; you're to stay here with Ah-Un." Sesshomaru ordered patiently.
Rin nodded, "I will! Don't forget to come back for us." She smiled and waved as he took off first with a rambling imp at his heels.
Getsu hugged her and nuzzled her head gently, winking. "We'll come back," she promised.
Korihime patted Un's shoulder gently before squeezing the girl in a hug. "See you later, Rin," she added, trotting after the Inu-Daiyokai as her sister hurried after him.
"Onee-chan, are they the same ones from when Father fought long ago?" She asked quietly once they were far from the girl and dragon.
She nodded, arms folding in the sleeves of her kimono. "From what I gather, yes. I would imagine they're still sore from the loss of their tribe leader, even though the bitch that came out today warned that the overgrown flea-bag would be resurrected." She explained grimly.
Her eyes widened slightly before she scowled. "'Resurrected'? Nothing can bring back the dead, least of all a horrid thing like the cat leader. Those cats are mad to think they can do such a thing." She mused.
She sighed, "regardless, we're going to be up against at least more than thirty cats."
"You make it sound like it's an army," she chuckled.
He smiled slightly at the two females' conversation, his ears twitching as he caught sight of an overgrown wolf demon with bulging blue eyes and brown fur sitting at the next corner... waiting on him. The smile fell instantly and he continued walking, pretending the wolf demon wasn't there.
"Lord Sesshomaru, I, Royakan, would be honored to serve under you once again!"
"Not necessary."
The wolf demon balked. "Please, milord, I beg you to reconsider!"
Both females paused short of the sight of the begging wolf demon. "Royakan? Aren't you the wolf from hell?" The younger one wondered curiously with a tilt of her head.
He glanced back at the two females. "Girls, let's go." He beckoned.
"He does look useful, but I would imagine only to a certain extent." His mate deadpanned.
The hulking canine's face lit up at seeing her silver eyes. "Lord Kiba's daughter!" This made the Inu-Daiyokai pause; she blinked and cocked a brow. "How do you know of my father?"
"Lord Kiba and I fought together once, long ago! I can see that you are indeed his daughter because of your eyes; my lady, please allow me to be of service to you! It would be an honor to fight alongside the daughter of the powerful Okami-Daiyokai of the West." He explained excitedly.
She smiled sheepishly, hesitating. "Um, Sesshomaru…?" She began, looking to him for help.
He rolled his eyes and sighed, doubling back to take her hand. "She's not interested." He said dismissively, turning to lead her away by the grip he had on her smaller hand, ignoring the distraught stare of the wolf demon.
"Aww, but onee-chan, he's so cute!" Her sister wheedled, her eyes as puppy-dog-eyed as the aforementioned demon's big blue eyes were.
"Kori, come on." She sighed.
She pouted and sighed. "Sorry, Roya-kun," she bowed to him before hurrying after her sister.
"Oh, and Royakan." He paused slightly.
"Yes?" His face lit up again.
"Leave before I lop off your head." He advised.
Royakan blanched, looking crestfallen.
"Aww, how can you say no to that face?" Korihime whined.
Getsu rolled her eyes patiently and sighed. "Honestly…" She muttered, dragging her along by the wrist.
"Perhaps you should reconsider accepting his help; we need it!" Jaken piped up.
Sesshomaru closed his eyes calmly. "Not necessary." He repeated.
"Then maybe we should ask for InuYasha's assistance this time!" He insisted.
"Jaken, only you and the girls need accompany me." He stated, walking off with his mate in tow and his sister-in-law at his heels, leaving the dumbfounded imp behind.
"Sesshomaru, I have a request." She spoke up once they were far away from Royakan, perking his ears.
He looked at her, "what is it?"
"That bitch, Tohran; she's my kill." She ignored the arched brow at her words. "She dared sully my father's name and as the head of my clan, it would be an honor to have my claws rip her throat out." She promised lowly.
He felt the spike in her aura and he nodded, looking forward. "As you wish." He obliged.
She nodded. "Thanks."
"Onee-chan," her sister began softly in surprise at hearing her say those things.
She looked at her and smiled with a determined light in her eyes. "I'm doing this for Father's sake… to honor him. Just cover my back, okay? Gods know I need you at my side too, Korihime." She smiled sincerely.
She nodded solemnly and shrugged her bow onto her shoulder absently. "Right."
::::::xXx:::::::
"Sesshomaru!" He growled as he came forth from the dust cloud that had formed from his attack.
A mimicking howl rang out before an arrow coated in ice screamed at the red-haired panther demon, sending her flying back with a yowl of pain.
"Talk about making an entrance." She hopped down from the rooftop to land nimbly next to him, smirking at the hanyou and his friends.
The panther demon hissed and glared at the stony blue stare of the female wolf, another arrow aimed at her. "You stupid wolf! Who do you think you are attacking like that?" She snapped, yanking the arrow from her left thigh and wincing.
"Korihime, daughter of the Okami-Daiyokai of the West." She informed coldly, her tone a pun on her name.
Her red eyes widened before she huffed. "So you're Lord Kiba's little mongrel, but you're just the runt of the litter. Where's your bitch sister, the one that has caught the attention of my sister Tohran?" She growled.
A spout of blue fire narrowly missed her nose, making her look down at the female daiyokai with her hand holding tight to the hilt of the Mangetsuga. "The name's Getsu; but your life is most likely going to be taken by my sister so I'd rather not waste breath on a weak kitty like you, Kahran." She sneered, cracking her knuckles.
"You overbearing bitch…" The redhead began to yowl.
"Onee-chan, I'll take her; save your energy for your own kill." Korihime hollered calmly, lunging at the panther demon with a foot extended.
Getsu nodded, "you got it. Have fun!"
InuYasha deadpanned, "well gee, it's great to see you two too, oversized mutt." He grumbled, perking her ears.
She huffed and smirked again, slinging her sword over her shoulder leisurely. "Now how could I forget about ya, half-breed?" She teased.
The Inu-Daiyokai rolled his eyes. "You can heckle him another day, Getsu." He scolded.
A pout crossed her face, "you're so mean!" She griped.
"Oi, so what the hell're you doin' here, Sesshomaru? And why are Getsu and Korihime fighting these flea-bags too?" InuYasha snorted, directing his attention to him once again.
Sesshomaru huffed, turning to business. "Just what I was thinking. As to the girls, their business with the panther tribe is their own; it has nothing to do with me. I'd suggest you leave while you still can." He replied stiffly.
"What'd you say?" He growled.
His tone was icy and authorative, "this is my war: I won't let you get involved." He spat.
"I'm not gonna follow your orders; Kagome's been captured by those demon cats!" He protested.
His lip curled. "You're such a fool!" He swung Tokijin at him, sending a ball of blue energy at him and making him fly back.
Why is it even with brute force he never listens? She thought with a patient sigh.
"Hey, what're you comin' after me for!?" He barked as he began to get out of the demolished hut he'd crashed into.
His gold eyes sharpened as he flashed his teeth. "Silence, InuYasha!"
She lifted a brow. Since when does he show this much emotion? Have those cats really shaken him up? She wondered, noting the hanyou shared in her surprise.
"Remember your past, InuYasha; you fell in love with a mortal woman who sealed you to a tree for years, thus making it pointless for you to take part in this battle." He returned Tokijin to his side, nodding to her. "Getsu."
"Um, Lord Sesshomaru, we need all the allies we can get; we mustn't be choosy at a time like this…!" The imp began to remind before the Inu-Daiyokai stomped on him as he passed through, ignoring the yelp of pain.
She sweatdropped and rolled her eyes, looking back at the hanyou and humans and smiling lightly before she followed him, hopping over the felled imp.
:::::::xXx:::::::
Both daiyokai bristled slightly at the sight of being surrounded by so many cats.
If this keeps up I just might develop an allergy to those flea-bags, she thought, wrinkling her nose.
"You summoned us here so where is this so-called master?" He demanded of the blue-haired panther that stood smugly infront of them.
"All in good time, once the preparations have been made. In the meantime, why don't you play with me?" She replied coolly, smirking.
"Allow me, Lord, Sesshomaru, I'll handle this wench; behold the Staff of Two Heads!" The imp barked as he sent a torrent of fire from the staff sailing at the panther.
She extended her hand out and sent a wide array of ice screaming at the imp, an icy wind sending him flying as the shards of ice were closing in on the surprised imp.
A torrent of blue fire screamed at the ice, stopping it from making contact with the frightened disciple, surprising the cat.
"Your fight is with me, bitch. I suggest you remember that before I kill you." Getsu declared as she flicked her wrist and stood tall infront of the panther.
Tohran sneered, looking past her at the Inu-Daiyokai. "Sesshomaru, I'm surprised at you, allowing your precious mongrel off the leash…" She narrowly dodged a fist that was meant for her face, glaring at the wolf.
"Leave him, this fight is not his: insulting my father's name and honor is my problem, not his. I'll teach you to never insult my clan or the one I love again!" Another torrent of fire was sent at her, forcing her to fly back.
The cats around her hissed and yowled at the insolent she-wolf, preparing to lunge.
"No. This wolf is mine; her insolence has finally cost her." Tohran snarled at them, glowering at the female Okami-Daiyokai that was busy putting her hair back in a high ponytail by a blue hair-tie, securing it and glaring at her with steely silver eyes.
Getsu smirked and cracked her knuckles as her claws grew again. "Quit hissing like a scared kitten and give me reason to be impressed." She growled, her aura beginning to pulse and slowly become visible.
A wave of ice was sent at her as she flicked her right wrist, diverting her attention; she leaped out of the way, landing atop one of the huts and thrusting her left fist forward at the oncoming panther, blue fire screaming at her and sending her skidding back onto the roof she'd taken brief shelter on.
She snarled and an ice spear formed in her hands before she thrust the sharp end out at her face, being met with a sharp block by her katana's blade, specks of ice flying from the spear when ice clashed with metal.
She huffed and bared her teeth tauntingly, seeing her tail twitch in anger. "For a kitty, you're not bad." She mused.
"If I was looking for a compliment, I wouldn't be fighting you!" She hissed and shoved her weight down on the spear, trying to force the she-wolf back. "Instead I'd be fighting your precious mutt you consider your mate." She sneered.
She headbutted her forehead sharply, sending her staggering back, her own head spinning before she shook it fervently and lowered her katana, clicking her tongue. "I told you to leave him out of this!" She swung the blade to the right sharply; a wide arc of blue-green energy screamed at the disoriented cat, sending her flying back and onto the ground.
The panther scrambled to her feet as the female daiyokai leaped off the roof and flew at her, bringing her own katana up to block her oncoming swing; sparks flew when their blades met.
"That blade…" She began in recognition.
"Forged from my grandfather's own right fang. I suppose you remember being defeated by it." She huffed, bearing down on the cat.
Her left fist crashed into her gut as blood flew; her eyes sharpened slightly before she disengaged the blades and glared at her as she held up an icy dagger tainted with crimson on the blade.
He heard his inner demon snarling loudly in his ears at catching whiff of her spilled blood, his own blood boiling at the travesty; his gold eyes looked at his companion as she stood tall against the cat demon, her katana clashing with hers again and again, sparks flying as the sound of metal screeching against metal started to hurt his sharp ears.
Getsu finally rammed her foot into her chest and sent the panther crashing into a hut, panting as she gripped the hilt of Mangetsuga tightly, teeth grinding together. Father, I will cleanse your honor of this insult, she thought, hearing a yowl ring out in the air as a blur of icy blue screamed at her, jerking her from her thoughts; she side-stepped effortlessly, watching the panther nearly crash into one of her minions.
"What's the matter, kitty, are the fangs of a wolf too much for you to put up a fight against?" She sneered with a growl in her throat, turning to face the angered panther female.
Tohran huffed and smirked at her, flashing a canine. "You're your father's daughter all right. But this fight isn't over yet, wolf girl." She tossed a smoke-ball at the ground, giving time for her and her cats to escape.
Both daiyokai glared after her retreat.
Sesshomaru turned to his mate as she sheathed her katana quietly. "Your injury has healed itself," he mused.
Getsu nodded, smiling up at him. "It was just a scratch. Come on, we need to find where those cats slunk away to." She kissed him lightly before spiriting away; he smiled after her and followed until they were side-by-side again.
"Fire ball!" She sent a row of orange fire balls at him.
"Nagareboshi-kaen!" A wide wall of blue fire formed infront of him as she blocked the attacks, baffling the panther.
"Since when can dogs use fire?" Kahran snorted.
A wide jet of blue fire slammed into her belly, sending her flying. "Since now." Getsu growled, flexing her claws as the panther female's back slammed into the high wall before she fell into the mote's water, earning a snicker from the she-wolf. "Talk about a wet flea-bag." She smirked.
She yowled and glared up at the brazen female daiyokai, the latter's lilac-colored aura sending a shiver down her spine to her flicking tail as she purposefully leaked her demonic aura.
A spear of ice sailed at where the she-wolf was; he yanked on her scruff and pulled her to his chest, Tokijin defending both of them as his gold eyes held cold daggers for the owner of the spear.
Tohran huffed. "I see you're very protective of your dear little bitch, even though it's pointless to run from her inevitable demise!" She sent a row of icy shards at the two daiyokai.
Getsu slipped free of his arm's protection and leaped into the air, sending five torrents of blue fire at her, watching her bob and weave around each one before she bared her teeth in aggravation at missing the fast-moving target. "Who says I'm running?" She thundered.
Kahran yowled and leaped at her, sending her flying back.
The two females scuffled until Getsu rammed her foot into her enemy's chest, knocking the wind out of her lungs, as she scurried away and drew back a few yards, thin scratches on her pretty face as her ebony hair was slightly disheveled from the fight.
"You stupid bitch, know your place!" She hissed as she scrambled to her feet and hurtled forward at the tensed daiyokai.
A blur of dark blue crashed into her from the side, a feral snarl ripping from the blur, slightly surprising her sister.
"Kori," she breathed in surprise and relief, meeting her sister's soft blue eyes.
Korihime panted slightly, smirking at her and winking. "So has your allergy started to kick in too, onee-chan?"
Getsu huffed and smirked back, noting the scratches here or there, the rips in her kimono and leggings, her cobalt hair disheveled in the messy ponytail she kept it in. "Kick some ass?" She wondered.
"Happily." She sighed.
She nodded. "Good, I know Papa would be proud."
Both females looked to see Kahran had slunk away again, making a scowl set on their brows.
"Where's fluffy?" Korihime wondered as she shrugged her bow and quiver over her shoulder, flanking her sister as she retreated to where her mate was.
Getsu looked ahead and sighed, "where else?"
She rolled her eyes, smirking again. "That's just like him, actin' like his infamous father." She mused.
"You're tellin' me. Oh yeah, your dog boy is here too." She informed, perking her ears.
Pink blush stained her cheeks. "He's not my 'dog boy', as you so kindly put it! We're just friends." She snapped.
She shrugged innocently, "I'm just saying, no need to bite my head off. Kagome got captured by the clan of flea-bags so naturally he came to save her." She sighed.
"That doesn't surprise me, he's always actin' like the big-shot hero… Idiot mutt." She grumbled.
"I thought I heard you complaining, Kori." He declared as they neared the bridge where she'd split up from his side, slightly relieved to see his sister-in-law still in one piece.
She pouted, huffing. "Piss off, I'm glad to see you too." She grumbled, glaring daggers at his amused smirk.
"Where's Tohran?" Her sister asked, scowling at the ice that glistened on the ground and trees and bridge leading into the recesses of the castle.
"That irritating flea-bag slunk away again, and judging from the scent, I can tell that Kahran left too. They're going to try and resurrect their master sometime soon, let's move." He answered, turning to lead the way across the bridge at a sprint.
Both sisters shared a look and nodded simultaneously before sprinting after his lead into the castle where the stink of cats threatened to damage their keen noses.
::::::xXx:::::::
A loud roar sounded from the mummified cat demon as it lowered a large paw down onto the offering table and gobbled up the three Shikon Jewel shards offered to it.
She sneezed, rubbing her nose gingerly and grimacing. "Shit, now I really hate cats." She grumbled.
"The feeling's mutual." He mused as she also sneezed and her lip curled in frustration. "I want you both to cover my back; if things get worse than they seem, you two fall back. Am I clear?" He instructed.
His instructions received a couple of frowns before the sisters sighed and nodded. "Crystal."
"KAGOME!" The sound of the Okami-yokai clan head's voice ringing out in the night made their ears twitch.
"Oh joy." Getsu sweatdropped.
Korihime slapped her forehead. "Damn it, Koga. I had a feeling he would be here too, knowing his emotions towards Kagome." She groaned.
Sesshomaru huffed stiffly at the wolf demon's failed attempt to break past the panther tribe's barrier. "He's still as bull-headed as ever, I see." He deadpanned.
"This isn't good," the youngest of the trio grumbled as the reanimated mummy reached a paw down at the humans gathered for the sacrifice. And because that overgrown dead cat has a barrier, I can't fire an arrow, she thought, clicking her tongue.
"KAGOME!" The hanyou's voice sounded before he was seen charging the barrier protecting the panther tribe.
His gold eyes sharpened at the discoloration of the Tetsusaiga.
"The fang is red?" His female counterpart wondered quietly.
He swung the fang down, destroying the barrier that kept the awaiting canine –that is to say, Sesshomaru, Getsu, Korihime, and Koga— yokai at bay, making the four panther yokai that were hiding behind the barrier blanch in horror.
Korihime sweatdropped at the sight of the two males bickering over the hand of the priestess, sighing. "If you'll excuse me…" She muttered, spiriting away.
"Your sister has a very odd taste in men." Sesshomaru deadpanned.
Getsu nodded wordlessly, sighing.
THWACK.
THWACK.
"OW!" Both hanyou and Okami-yokai yelped as they split apart, now sporting a large bump on their head.
"Good gods you two are acting like lovesick puppies! InuYasha for being a total bull-headed dumbass swinging a club around and Koga, you aughta be ashamed of yourself for pining after a human girl! As the clan head of the Eastern Tribe you're lucky my father isn't alive today otherwise he'd beat you bloodier than I could!" The cobalt-haired female snarled annoyedly, glaring from one male to the other with a hand on her hip and a shaking fist.
Sango, Miroku, and Kagome sweatdropped.
"NOONE ASKED YOU SO BUTT OUT, PRINCESS!" InuYasha and Koga snarled at her in chorus, matching veins popping on their brows.
Korihime glowered at them as a dark aura settled around her, making both males cringe and shrink back hesitantly; she huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. "I thought as much."
"Now we definitely know you two are related…" Sango muttered, referring to the she-wolf's older sibling.
'Give me blood!' The mummy-cat roared as it slammed a large paw down on where the four where.
"Kori, move!" InuYasha shoved the she-wolf out of the way as Koga snatched Kagome by the waist and the trio dodged it, leaving the hanyou to block the large paw.
"InuYasha!" Kagome barked.
"Baka-inu!" Korihime exclaimed, swiftly drawing an arrow from her quiver and preparing to fire.
"Relax girls, I'm gonna make sure I get you outta here…" Koga began to assure the girls.
"I'm not leaving without the others!" The priestess silenced him.
She huffed as her aura flowed into the arrow, making it glow a bright light pink color. "There's no way in hell I'm leaving without getting rid of this overgrown flea-bag! My father's honor is on the line."
The hanyou growled as he shoved the paw off, cutting it with the fang; the mummy-cat roared in pain. "KORI, SHOOT!" He shouted with a glance over at the arrow poised in her long bow.
Kori fired the arrow, sending it flying at the distracted corpse.
A bolt of fire destroyed the arrow, surprising both InuYasha and Korihime.
"You stupid brat!" A torrent of orange fire screamed at the she-wolf.
A wall of blue wolf fire diverted the torrent, the flames dying swiftly when they collided.
"Keep your claws off my little sister, bitch." Getsu thundered coldly, flexing her claws as she was bristling like mad.
"Onee-chan," Korihime began in surprise; she met her blue eyes and winked, smirking.
Kahran's tail twitched angrily as her aura kicked in and she sent several bouts of fire at the angered daiyokai.
She dodged them effortlessly, leaping into the air with her katana drawn. "I've come to the realization that I really hate cats!" A wide arc of green energy screamed at the panther yokai when she flicked her wrist to the left.
He inwardly slapped his forehead even though he had to admit that he was proud of her for being this strong; of course her bull-headed recklessness got in the way often, but other than that he was both grateful for having a mate like her as well as seeing her come so far after only two centuries of time spent together.
She huffed and landed nimbly next to him, flicking her wrist. "You can stop wagging your tail now, y'know," she teased.
He blinked and then huffed, smirking. "Don't get too cocky, princess."
She looked off to see her sister helping herd the humans away from the battle, ears twitching as she looked at the hanyou brazenly –and recklessly—taking on the four panther yokai; she sighed. "Your brother must've been dropped on the head as an infant," she muttered.
The scuffle continued until three of the yokai sent a whirlwind of their combined powers at him, diverting his attention, before the fourth panther body-slammed onto him from above, pinning him to the ground.
"Let's go," he nodded to her.
She nodded, sprinting at his right, as he swung the Tokijin down and sent a torrent of blue energy at the four yokai plus hanyou, sending them sprawling.
InuYasha grumbled as he sat up from the wreckage, glaring up at his brother. "I told you I could handle it!"
"Stay where you are and just watch; the panther tribe belongs to me." Sesshomaru drawled.
"Oh yeah, then why's Getsu here? This ain't her business!" He snapped.
She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Guess I forgot to explain earlier; my father helped yours in the first great battle against the panther tribe centuries ago. The fact that these flea-bags have outlived my honorable father is an insult in and of itself, so it's my duty as the firstborn of my clan to set things straight and destroy the panther tribe." She explained patiently.
He huffed, "so you're doin' this just to restore your clan's honor? Isn't that why you're after Naraku?"
She bristled, "that's another reason for another day. For now as canine demons we gotta be the superior breed and kick their asses." She growled, the sword she held at her shoulder leisurely lowering to her right side as her clawed hand gripped the hilt out of reflex.
InuYasha snorted. "Yer outta your mind if you think I'm gonna work with a jackass like him! Both of you back down!" He snapped.
Sesshomaru bristled and swung Tokijin at him, being blocked by Tetsusaiga. "Not a chance in hell." He growled.
Getsu sighed when they started quarreling, a vein twitching on her temple as she stood to the side with the imp. "Well this isn't exactly how I had intended for it to go…" She muttered.
"Miss Getsu, look!" Jaken barked, pointing a clawed finger at the four panther yokai that were powering up and preparing to use their powers to eliminate both brothers.
"Shit…" She looked at the brothers and exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Oh boys… BOYS!" She shouted at the top of her lungs, making the imp cringe as both brothers' ears ached briefly with her loudness.
"WHAT NOW!?" Sesshomaru and InuYasha snarled in chorus, twin sets of gold eyes glaring at her.
Getsu pointed up at the combined powers of the panther quartet. "That."
The mummified feline's eyes glowed green as it glared at its four disciples, slaying three out of the four panthers and consuming their life forces.
Talk about cannibalistic, she thought grimly, perking up as the giant corpse's form shifted until it grew brown fur and yellow eyes, standing tall over them.
"I really hate cats."
"Getsu, stay out of the way." He ordered as his brother lunged first (as was expected), swinging Tokijin at the hulking feline and barely nicking the skin before he was sent flying back.
"Yeah right, like I'm going to listen to that." She huffed, sprinting forward as the hanyou sent a Wind Scar at the overgrown cat and made a direct hit.
The cat growled and sent the four claws of its left paw at the half-breed, making him dodge and almost get hit by the fourth one.
"How rude to forget about a lady; Dying Wolf's Blood!" She commanded loudly, sending a wide arc of green energy screaming at the large feline, hitting it in the forehead sharply.
It yowled loudly in pain before narrowing its large eyes. 'That fang… the Mangetsuga! You are the spawn of that insolent wolf!' It thundered.
"Getsuei, firstborn daughter of Lord Kiba, Okami-Daiyokai of the West." The wind whipped at her hair as her aura pulsed until it looked lilac again, and she gripped the hilt of Mangetsuga. "Lady of the Western Lands." She growled, flying at the cat.
InuYasha huffed, glancing over at his brother as she bobbed and weaved around the cat's swipes, her fang snapping back just as sharply. "Well, Sesshomaru, I didn't figure your princess had gotten this strong. It's no wonder Kori's just as bull-headed." He mused calmly.
Sesshomaru ignored him, keeping his gold eyes on his mate's lithe form slashing and dodging the cat's swipes, still angered that she had charged blindly into battle… but other than that, he was silently hoping she wouldn't get killed.
The hulking feline finally yowled and slammed the declawed left paw into her, sending her flying with a brief yelp.
"Damn it!" Getsu grunted, perking up as she was caught in the crook of someone's arm before she was lowered gently to the ground; she looked up to meet his familiar gold orbs.
Sesshomaru's gaze was stony but other than that he was relieved she was still in one piece. "Stay here, and don't do anything reckless." He ordered, seeing the beginnings of a protest on her face.
"But…!" She began to spout a retort before he pulled her closer for a deep kiss, silencing her; she blushed and growled in defeat, kissing back before he broke the kiss just as quickly as he'd started it.
He smirked gently. "Stay." He repeated in a softer tone, sliding his arm from her waist to walk forward.
She watched him leave and scowled, disgruntled, sheathing her katana. "That was so not fair."
"What kind of moron lets those stupid cats go!?"
The hanyou yelped as her heel stomped into the large bump her sister had given him, grumbling curses into the dirt.
She glared down at the felled half-breed, a vein twitching on her brow.
A patient sigh sounded from the side. "How many times have I told you not to act like a brat?" He grumbled as he pulled on her arm and dragged her away.
"Piss off, that stupid cat was my kill! Those overgrown flea-bags didn't deserve to be spared and left to go back to the West! I shoulda…"
"Getsuei…" He rumbled, his dark tone making her flinch.
She blushed and then groaned in defeat. "Fine."
Her sister snickered, ignoring the death glare, and waved back at the humans plus wolf demons and hanyou. "See you around, boys!" She said lightly before the trio of yokai plus imp retreated into the darkness.
A/N: whew, i think that was the longest chap i've written for this fic. if you think i failed or whatnot in the action scenes, feel free to message or review. thanks and see ya!