Mile after mile I walked. My wounds healed without a scar and I was all alone. I found a man named Sesshomaru traveling with a small girl, an imp and a two headed dragon. I didn't stay too long, couldn't stand the silent treatment.
So, here I am. Wondering a vast empty plain all by my lonesome. No trees, boulders or wildlife for miles. My nose came up empty as well, no demons or threats in any direction. Giving off a sigh, I trumped through the tall grass towards the north. I don't know how long it's been since I left Kaggs and the gang, nor do I know how many demons I've fought. But I know that I can handle my own in a fight, claws or bare handed.
The sun made its trek across the sky and the moon soon took its place in the sky. I have made a habit that if I can still walk, then sleep can wait. But my feet were dying tonight and a good rest was well overdue. The silence in the night brought chills to my spine as the stars were soon hiding under a blanket of clouds. A storm was on its way and it was going to be devastating. I lay my head in the crook of my arm and stared up at the darkening sky. No thoughts going through my mind, just peace and silence.
I don't even remember falling asleep, but before I knew it the sun was breaking over the horizon. The signal for a new day of wandering around aimlessly. Heaving a sigh, I stood and stretched. "Don't you look like the cat's meow." a voice said, causing me to spin around a bit too fast and land on my butt. "Koga? What on earth are you doing here?" I nearly yelled out in my flustered state. The wolf merely chuckled. "I got the faint scent of panther and decided to see if it was you." was his brief explanation.
With a roll of my eyes, I heaved myself back onto my feet and started walking north. The sound of Koga's feet followed behind me. I didn't even turn to ask him. "Why is the leader of the eastern wolves following a lowly panther like me? Don't you have a miko to drool over?" the man's pace didn't falter as he matched his pace with my own. "Kagome seems more interested in the pup of a half breed. You on the other hand, seem to be quite available." He smirked, earning him a growl. "Too bad. I don't consider myself available. Too weak and slow to he worrying over a mate right now." I replied as we both marched along the non-existent path I seemed to be following.
A few hours pass us by with idle chatted and peace when the trees of a forest finally came into view. "It's about time I reach some shade. That Valley was literally three days of walking on sore feet." I gave a sigh of relief just as my feet left the ground and a rush of wind blew my short burgundy hair everywhere. In a flash, Koga was in the forest and racing to a small pond. "No. NO NO NO! DON'T YOU DARE!" *SPLASH!* I was tossed into the water by the wolf boy and I caught a glimpse of Taki holding onto Koga's shoulder. -I am not going to be the only one soaking in water.- I thought as I submerged under the surface and waited for the male to peak over the side.
When he did, I launched myself up and snatched his armor. I was successful in dragging the wolf in along with my flailing kitty. "Now we all cool off." I smirked, standing up and wading over to a large rock to sunbathe on. Content and slightly dryer than drenched, I started to purr. Deep and full of happiness, one that I haven't given off since I was a kitten. My tail waved lazily from side to side and my ears twitched as a bird took flight nearby. I could hear Koga relaxing by to side and Taki curled up on my stomach. All together, it was a rather good day. One that I would never trade in a million years.
All too soon, I was being shaken awake by a large warm hand. My tail lashed in irritation and I growled out a warning. "Nikki, get up already. There's something odd smelling here…...Fine, be hard to wake then." The warmth of the hand left and I was toppled into the water. I yelped and yowled in surprise as I was forcefully woken from my slumber. Jumping back onto the rock, I sent Koga my best death glare and he just shrugged it off. "Take a sniff and tell me it smells fine." was all he said, irritation floating around his being. Listening to his command, I took a good sniff. Coal and spruce came to my nose, a little too familiar for my liking. "You can't be serious." I moaned out, Koga gave me a 'what the crap' look as I walked away from the wolf and followed the scent.
A small cottage like hut came into view, along with an old looking woman in a patchwork dress and a glass eye. "Didn't know I would meet you in this era Lady Deriar." The woman looked up and gave a toothy grin. "My My. Little miss Nikki. I was wondering when I would see you. Last time was in the middle of Tokyo if I'm not mistaken." a growl sounded to my left and I smacked the wolf's arm. "Down boy, she is a friend of mine. Lady Deriar, this is Koga of the eastern wolves. Koga, the is the witch Deriar. She's helped my from more than just a few bad scrapes in my era." The boy looked from me to Deriar with a confused look. "If she is from your era, then how does she know you in this one?" A smile reaches the old ladies features as she ushered us into her home.
"An easy question to answer, my dear boy. One that you will love to hear." we all sat down in some wooden chair as she started telling Koga what I already knew. "Little Nikki here used to train as a witch, she was rather good too mind you. But after her parents….well, that's for her to tell. As a witch, we have the ability to recognise others regardless of the timeline. We will always recognise one of our own, the memories will just follow suit. Now, what have you been up to? I haven't seen you since you were hip height." The woman turned her gaze toward me and I gave a small sheepish grin.
After a brief explanation of what I have been up to (fighting, running and chasing) I was able to get a small favor from my old friend. "Do you think….I could practice again?" my eyes were pleading yet scared as I looked at Deriar. At her nod, I slumped my shoulders in relief. "I am glad I decided to make this extra spell book, not that you need one. I'm sure you remember most of everything you learned. But be sure to be careful this time." She handed me a familiar leather bound book with worn paper sticking from the pages and the smell of old herbs over the cover. "Take good care of it, and I will see you soon." With that, my friend and her home vanished. Koga was left on the ground with a bewildered look.
"So you're a witch panther now?" the wolf asked as we started our travels again. I was busy leafing through the notes as we talked. "No. I am a panther. Witch craft is just an occupation. Potions and spells are simple to read and comprehend, but if you don't do anything with them then it's all head knowledge." I said to the boy, flipping another page. "Ah, here it is!" I cheered and stopped my walking. "Hm?" Koga peaked over my shoulder. "Protection incantation" I started to speed read the words on the page. "Um….we need protection?" Koga asked as I started muttering the spell under my breath. At the end, I snapped my fingers and felt the familiar surge of power leaving me.
Leaves started to blow around and I felt the spell complete it's work. "It's not a complete protection. It's to be able to sense the evil intents of others around you. Kind of like a sixth sense." we started walking on once again with new questions from the wolf leader. The answer to all of those questions were easy and not too personal. Like how old were you when you cast your first spell, Why did you quit and stuff like that. The answers were six and I made a mistake. Easy.
A spark to my left signaled a threat causing me and Koga to hit the ground as a gust of slicing wind blew over us. "Looks like you two are better than I though. Oh well, time to fight." The female voice sounded as I jumped to my feet and faced my attacker. A tall woman with black hair pulled into a fancy knot held by two feathers. Her eyes were the same red as Naraku and her scent matched as well. "Let me guess. One of spider psychos minions." my voice carried over to the wind user and a small grimace barely showed on her lips. "My name is Kagura and I am here to bring you to Naraku. He seems to have taken a liking to you." I almost hurled at her words. Naraku? The guy who almost killed me, has a crush? ON ME?! "Sorry lady, I am not interested in the spider freak." was all I could manage as a snarky response.
"Very well." was my only warning as a blade of wind left the woman's fan. "DANCE OF BLADES!" One feral snarl and I was shifting to my full sized panther and racing to meet the wind user head on. Our battle was a dance of attack and evade, Claws and fans swaying with action. "If you do not come quietly, Naraku will only have a head to talk to." I scoffed and flipped back from another blade of wind. I let out an ear shattering roar and dove towards Kagura once more with my claws itching for her blood. Her red eyes grew large as my extended claws ripped through her shoulders and my full weight on her stomach. A growl ripped through my throat in a deadly warning. "Please! Please don't kill me! I-I'll leave! Please!" Kagura screamed as she stared into my mix matched eyes with fear.
I easily stepped off of her and shifted back to my more normal self. Tail lashing in anger, I walked away from the woman and grabbed a hold of Koga. I was dragging him away as I shot Kagura one last word of advice. "Next time you come around to drag me to Naraku, don't" With that, I left with my wolf friend gawking behind me. "You are one crazy fighter. But, you've gotten better since the birds of paradise. Not as sloppy. Even Naraku would have a run for his money now." My wolfy friend said after he got his awe over with. "Yeah, well. After a few fights with some tough demons, you kind of get the hang of things. In my time, there was never anyone strong enough to hold a decent fight. So, I just ran." I gave a shrug of my shoulder and stretched my arms over my head. Taki started walking by my feet as we passed by a swampy part of the forest. We splashed our way across the swampy waters with light chatter every so often. A demon or two showed up, but was easily defeated with a panther and a wolf. The day ended with fresh crock on the fire and a silent happy purr from me.
Day broke to more walking, fighting and more walking. Needless to say, I was going crazy with this routine "Koga….Do you think we could...I don't know...Go some place fun? Like a town with a festival or something? I am way too bored with just walking all the time." I whined to the wolf who just snickered at my comment. "All I do is follow you. Lead the way O' powerful panther." I laughed at his joke and started to sniff out a town with something going on. Slowly adjusting our course due east for some fun and boredom relief.
A/N: Hello lovely readers! I am so sorry it has been so long since I have posted. I am going through a rough time with my health right now, but I hope to start writing regularly soon. Thank you for reading and please leave a review.