The Changes of Time Chapter 8
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha
A few months had passed, and more youkai had came to stay at the sanctuary. Not just ookami youkai, but many more as well. Hanyous, tora, tanuki, neko, kumo, even hebi.
There were even a few ningen here and there, but most were female and only a handful of male. Yes, Saris would say that she was very proud of her castle, but felt they needed another location, for their population was growing fast. Sesshoumaru came three times a week to check on their well-being, progress, and training. She noticed that they were seeing much less of Toga these days and wondered what was keeping him away for such long periods of time. Deciding that it wouldn't do much for her to dwell on matters that didn't pertain to her, she set out towards Koga's and Naga's aura.
Both youkai were located with the transport group, preparing to head out from the looks of things. In an attempt to sneak upon them, she tip-toed to their backs, giggling inwardly at their lack of paying attention to their surroundings. Just when she had two more steps, she tripped over a tree branch and fell flat on her face. Both Naga and Kouga turned and laughed at Saris as she spit out dirt and some leaves out her mouth. Apparently she wasn't clever enough to close her mouth while falling to the ground. "Saris, if you wanted to eat dirt, I could have dug up some fine soil for you to much on!" Kouga said aloud while still laughing. Embarrassed and slightly irritated at their laughing and the pain in her face, she stood up and began to dust her self off. Once they were done with their laughing moment, she smiled at them gaining their full attention.
"Hey guys, so your'e going to the village on the border for wares huh? I was wondering if perhaps you guys wouldn't mind me tagging along this time. I want to see if they have anything we may need that wasn't mentioned in the last meeting." Saris looked hopefully at the two, waiting patiently for their response. "Sure Saris, we'd love the extra pair of hands!" Said Naga excitedly. "Yea, what he said, "Kouga chimed in while pointing his thumb towards Naga. "Besides, why would you ask us? We would never tell you no. You are our Alpha and this is your castle." Saris blushed deeply and began shaking her head at Kouga. "No, I am not your Alpha nor is this MY castle, Kouga. It is our castle. We built this castle, all of us, not just I. I could never take full credit for something we all accomplished together"
Without another word, Saris spun on her heels and scurried off to get some items for the trip. Naga and Kouga just looked at one another and shrugged their shoulders. The trip to the village was long and slow, although, the slight chill in the air and the beautiful scenery of the changes in nature, made it bearable. Admiring the beauty of the land, Naga spoke aloud but not to anyone in particular. "Wow, I wonder what exactly makes the leaves change into the beautiful gold and red colors." "It's called photosynthesis, where the leaves are losing chlorophyll during their aging process. Some turn red because of the active synthesis of anthocyanin pigments." Naga and Kouga stopped their walking to stare at Saris. Not only did they not understand a thing she said, but she spoke in terms far different than what they had ever heard. It kind of had them on edge and creeped out. Saris, noticing their halt in movement, turned to them and asked what was wrong. "Saris, we have no idea what you were just talking about or how you would even know that kind of information." Naga replied, hesitantly. She cocked her head to the side like a puppy, and frowned. "I don't know what you are speaking of Naga. I didn't say a thing."
Naga frowned and looked at Kouga for assistance. Saris looked to Kouga as he began to speak to her. "Um, Saris, look you just said some really weird things that Iv'e never heard of in my entire life. What are peg-e-ments?" He asked, attempting to sound out the words. Saris cocked her head to the other side, looking at Kouga as if he had grown two heads himself. With a shake of his head, Naga decided to end this conversation and continue on their journey. If Saris did not remember, then it was probably best to let it be until she did remember something, anything in time. Coming upon a stream, Saris politely requested they rest for a bit and get a cool drink for a moment. They all agreed happily and took a moment to check everything and rest. Just as Saris was finishing with her drink, she began to feel as if there were eyes upon her pack. Feeling her hackles rise she stood immediatly and tried to catch a scent or even a feel for the aura that was making her uneasy. A few moments later, Sesshoumaru stepped out of the forest, staring intently at her with his soul bearing, golden eyes.
Composing herself properly for the heir of the Western Lands, she straightened her back, held her head up high, and gave a regal bow fitting to his station, while saying, "Lord Sesshoumaru." He returned her bow with a firm nod of his head, speaking nothing. Saris stared back at him for a moment then finally asked her question,"Milord, how may we be of assistance to you today?" "This Sesshoumaru needs assistance of no one.
This Sesshoumaru came to you to inform you of a location fitted for a kingdom of your liking. Locate this Sesshoumaru once you've completed your tasks." With not another word, he was off, flying away in his golden ball of light. 'Hm, that was strange. Was it me, or was he acting extra 'bratty' today? And whats with the 'I found your new location for your kingdom' mess? I didn't ask for his help in finding one nor did I need it.'Saris mused to herself. Kouga startled her out of her thoughts, making her have to ask him to repeat what he said.
"I said, that was kind of out of character for the 'Great' Lord Sesshoumaru, wouldn't you say? I mean, why even bother to look? Unless he was planning on residing there with us..." He gave a slow, sideways glance to Saris, with a knowing expression on his face. He couldn't understand how it was that she still did not pick up on the ritual. He noticed fast, as well as Naga. Sesshoumaru was attempting to court Saris,
but she was too oblivious. When Kouga tried to explain it to her, even giving examples such as Sesshoumaru going hunting with the pack but presenting her favorite foul to her, she denied it. She believed that he was just looking after his 'pack' as well since that was what we are to him in a round about sense. Kouga then pointed out how he had scent marked her somehow, which is why other males kept their distance, she didn't believe it. Seriously?
He honestly could not understand why she couldn't smell Sesshoumarus scent on her! It was intoxicating at times! When asked about it, she would shrug her shoulders saying that she smelled nothing but pine, cool water, and mountains.
It was frustrating in the least, but in time she would notice and understand.
Not to mention the over powering scent of arousal and desire coming off of him when ever he got close to Saris. Now that was frustrating to deal with in the beginning. When it had first hit Kougas nose,
he immediatly became angry and jealous. He saw Saris as his and wanted no one else to have her. But, as time went on, he realized how wrong he was, for no woman could be owned. Besides, he was becoming very close to Ayame and planned on courting her to become his mate soon. He wanted to avenge his fallen kin first, then start his family. Crashing back to reality, he focused on Saris' voice. "Hm, I'm not sure, Kouga. That was quite interesting though, wasn't it? Besides, he has to rule the Western Lands and provide an heir. Why would he look for elsewhere to live?" With that said, she turned, shaking her head at her friends silly words, and got the group back on their way. 'I still feel as if someone is watching us. I almost picked up on the other aura before Sesshoumaru showed up. Maybe I'll catch it on our way back.'
-wWw-
He had been following them, stalking them for months now. His master wanted any and all information he could find. He didn't particularly condone in this, but he had no other choice, for if he did not follow orders, his family would be killed. His family was the last remaining of their kind. As it seemed that only royal blooded youkai were somehow dying off; except for the inus of course. Those type of demons seemed to excel above and beyond death, but it won't last forever. His master had strict orders; follow the dragons. Then his master became curious of the female that rescued them from his masters attempt of apprehending them. Curiosity quickly became obsession. Perhaps obsession was not the correct word for what his master had for this female. It mattered not, for now his master desired said female in his hold, and he was to deliver. 'How low I've fallen. Not just I, but my whole clan, the Bai Hu clan. Having to disgracfully change my name from Xi Fang to Byakko so that none recognize me. Disgusting.' Byakko thought to himself with a sneer. His white hair was tipped with black at the ends, his body lean and muscular with purple crests upon his wrists, forearms, hips, back, ankles, and many other places on his body. His eyes shown frost blue in the sunlight, with purple cresting his eye lids. A crystal blue snowflake sat upon his right cheek, making his stature significant. Following the group from a safe distance, he contemplated the course of action he should take to get the girl. Then it came to him, he took his left fore finger and lightly tapped the snowflake underneath his right eye. It glowed a shimmering light blue then the light receded. He pulled his finger away, observing the spinning crystal on his finger. Chanting a few words, the crystal turned a dark purple in color.
Now that the first part of his plan was done, he waited until they were at the village, then he would find a few bandit demons willing to start a fight for the right price. He started to feel sick with what he was about to do. Yes, this was against his code of ethics but there was no fighting it, it had to be done. "Sorenara sorede yoidesu."
-wWw-
There it was again, that feeling of being watched. It was frustrating that she couldn't pin point that aura, though it didn't feel evil, just malevolent. Then, on top of that problem, there were other auras following the group now. She could tell they were bandits, for their auras spoke of greed, lust, and desire. They were not exactly evil auras neither, just not good either. By the looks of it, very bad, and about to get worse. She felt it, right when the bandits attacked her pack, something had embedded itself into the back of her neck, causing her to fall to the ground unconscious.'Dammit! I didn't even get a chance to put up my barrier! All those months of training and I fail my pack at first chance.' Thought Saris as she fell to the ground, knocked out and surrounded by a purple barrier. Naga and Kouga, both enraged, attempted to reach Saris, but these demons were proving to give them a really good fight. Kouga stole a chance to cast a quick glance at Saris and saw some youkai lifting her into his arms, then dig his nose into her neck. His rage reached new heights, as his eyes became crimson, and he howled to the sky, letting all know that he was pissed. Byakko looked up from behind Saris' hair and smirked at the wolf. Oh, he knew what he was doing, but he just couldn't help himself, her scent was just so intoxicating, he just had to get a good sniff. Despite the fact that it was laced heavily with the scent of an inu, hers was still divine. He gifted the ookami and ryu youkai with one last look, then turned and ran. Naga roared to sky, rage and despair cloaking his scent, he raced upon two of his enemies and plunged both clawed hands into their chests, then ripped out their hearts. He crushed them then turned towards Kouga as he sliced one bandits chest open from his left shoulder down to his right hip, with his claws, then sliced the others throat clean open. They sent the rest of their group back to the castle, while they sped off to try to catch the youkai whom stole their Saris. Not long after they started following her scent, it started to fade gradually. Once they hit a clearing it disappeared all together! Naga roared once more with more volume, Kouga sliced through a few trees, rage controlling them both. Moments later, Sesshoumaru appeared before them, eyes red from anger. He approached both youkai, intent on getting all the information, when he heard a growl. Shocked that the ookami and ryu were threatening him, his anger slowly started to drift to fury. He released his youki, suffocating both youkai with it. Their youki attempted to challenge his but was immediately snuffed out by the velocity and strength of his. They quickly submitted, losing their rage and calming a bit to explain what happened. It was very clear that once they were done with their story, Sesshoumaru went from fury to rage himself, causing him to change into his true inu form. Thankfully, Toga was able to reach them before Sesshoumaru leveled the entire forest in the area. They all searched every direction they thought they caught a small whiff of her scent. It was to no avail, though. Saris was captured and no one know where she was or who it was that took her. With despair, anxiety, anger, and guilt lacing their auras, the two inu, ryu, and ookami headed back to the sanctuary to discuss the situation in depth and their next plan of action.