Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction, I do not claim any rights to any of the characters or

concepts created or owned by Viz Video or Rumiko Takahashi. This is just the work of one fan to the others. The only characters or concepts that i claim are the ones I created or introduced. That said, I bring you:

The Annals of the Heroine Akane, and the Dreaded Demon King. A Tale of the Mirrorverse.

Chapter 13: Not all wars are fought with blades of steel.

Kasumi hummed softly as she cooked a simple breakfast for the traveling companions, new and old. She cast yet another look towards Ryouga, who was still doing his best to ignore her. Her gaze traveled to Akane and the bard, Robin who were talking animatedly about the places they had been. Finally, she settled an amused gaze on Nabiki and Robin's cat who were once more staring at each other.

Kasumi shook her head, still a little startled by the events of the previous day. They had traveled with Robin and her odd little group and then set up camp together.

All in all, Kasumi really should not be as amused as she was, but it was hard not to be. It was either be amused, or perhaps lay on the ground and laugh uncontrollably at the sheer insanity of the situation she found herself in.

Who would ever think that you would find these two disparate parties traveling together? The Heroine and the Demon King that she had sworn to slay were talking animatedly together, while the two most lethal people on either side of the war were engaged in a staring contest, with only one of them aware of who and what the other was. Then, there was Ryouga, who was a mystery that Kasumi seemed almost compelled to unravel.

Honestly, it did make her reconsider a lot of things. And it also raised a lot of questions, like how Akane could not tell that the person she was talking to was the Demon King? Wasn't one of the abilities of the Hero to always know the Demon King no matter what form they wore? Wasn't it a fact that the demonic nature of the Demon King called out to the Light bestowed on the Hero? It was one of the teachings that had been passed down, after all.

Akane not sensing the nature of the other two was less concerning, since her ability to detect demons and demonic beings was limited to the Demon King himself. Even as a priestess, Kasumi knew she would never have suspected the other two of being who or what they were if she hadn't ran into Ryouga before. It did make her wonder how many other demons might be mingling into the human world, passing unseen amongst them? And if they were, why were they not staging attacks and atrocities like she had always been taught that they would?

Honestly, all of this raised so many questions that she didn't have the answers to, but she hoped later on she might be able to talk to someone who could help her sort through these thoughts and ideas. Once, you know, he could stop acting like a tamed boar.

Kasumi grinned as an idea hit her, and she decided it was time to interrupt the two most powerful people on the planet as they discussed… The best pie they had eaten while traveling? Kasumi sighed as once again the sheer absurdity of it all struck her.

"Robin? If I can interrupt you two for a moment? I need to gather a few things from the woods, and I was wondering if I could possibly borrow your pet boar? You did say he is good for keeping wild animals at bay, didn't you?" Kasumi said as she smiled that kind smile of hers.

Robin jerked a bit and looked at Kasumi, then over at Ryouga, then back at Kasumi as she processed what exactly she had been asked. "Ummm.. I'm not sure about that. He only really behaves well for me…" She hedged as she eyed Ryouga, who seemed rather docile at the moment.

"Oh, I have an excellent way with animals. I think that the two of us will get along great." Kasumi said as she rose and walked over and looked at Ryouga with her hand extended and an eyebrow quirked.

With a sigh, Ryouga rested his heavy head under her hand and let her scratch him while casting a look that might as well be a shrug to Ranko.

"Okay, fine. You can take him for a walk, just.. Don't blame me if he doesn't behave or anything. And make sure you don't let go of his rope lead, or who knows where he will wander off to this time." Ranko said with a sigh before she turned back to Akane. "I don't know, I've had their meat pie before, and I think the one in Hayford is superior."

Kasumi smirked and shook her head as she took the rope that was tied around Ryouga's neck and gave him a look as she picked up her basket and moved towards the wood. She was hardly surprised when he trudged along besides her without any real prompting.

Perhaps he enjoyed their talks as well? Kasumi shrugged as she smiled down at him. Anything was possible, and the last day had proven that.

Nabiki watched her sister leave with Robin's pet boar then sighed as she looked once more at the cat that seemed to be glaring at her. She decided to take some initiative, and see if she could win over the feline terror. If they were going to be traveling together, it was probably for the best that they didn't spend all of their time just glaring at each other. With that thought in mind, she reached out and scooped up the furball. She had to avoid more than one attempted bite or raking from the claws of her feline adversary, but she eventually got her settled in her lap and deployed one of her most vile secret weapons.

She really knew how to pet cats. It was a talent that was necessary when they were younger, before Akane had been chosen to be the Heroine. Akane had always been finding one adorable cat after another, and it was usually up to Kasumi and Nabiki to deal with them when Akane's attention drifted. Kasumi always had a talent with animals, even before she entered the clergy. Nabiki had to make do with effort and trial and error, and lots of scratches in the learning process.

The cat seemed to growl in the direction of her mistress, and Robin looked away from Akane to address Nabiki. "I wouldn't if I were you. She can be rather testy.'

Nabiki nodded as she continued to try to get the cat to settle. "I'm aware, but if we can't at least coexist a bit, this is going to be a long trip." She said as the cat growled and yowled at Robin again, and then just went limp at a look from her mistress.

Nabiki chuckled as she nodded her head to the bard. "Thanks. Hopefully I can manage from here."

Robin gave her a skeptical look, then turned her attention back to Akane as Nabiki looked down at the cat in her lap. "When you're not trying to claw or bite me to death, You have to be the single most beautiful cat I have ever seen." Nabiki then chuckled as the cat seemed to preen under the praise.

"If I didn't know better, I'd swear you could understand me." Nabiki said lightly as she started to pet the cat gently. She worked through the puzzle sitting in her lap like she had many before, with gentle touches and sure, confidant movements. Nabiki grinned as the feline devil finally closed her eyes and started to rumble softly.

Victory was sweet, and worth a few more battle scars.

Xian Pu had not had a great day. The excitement and joy of a somewhat successful if unusual hunt had faded quickly under the harsh lash of her Master's tongue. She had never earned the ire that had been expressed that night before, and she was loath to do so again.

The promised punishments if she transgressed again made even her hesitant and the instructions that she was to endure any act if stopping it would expose them to the humans was delivered with the full power of that baleful gaze.

She had relegated herself to glaring at her rival while wishing a slow and painful death upon her, when the mere human had had the audacity to reach for her! Her, a noble warrior, a feared hunter! She had looked to her master for permission to end this upstarts existence, and received a look of reprimand instead

Thus, she had accepted her horrid fate.

Still, she had to fight back some or it wouldn't seem correct, right? She cast an almost defiant look at her master as she fought back, just a little. It was unavailable, after all.

She was mildly impressed when the human woman praised her. It was a shock that she was capable of recognizing the perfection that was Xian Pu. But, perhaps this human could learn.

When the human started to touch her, Xian Pu protested, at least until the Master sent another warning look her way, so she relegated herself to whatever iniquity she was about to be exposed to.

Arfirdt,the touches and strokes did little to alleviate her annoyance, but slowly they started to feel better, almost acceptable. Xian Pu surprised herself when she even found herself leaning into the hand as it glided over her fur. And… that sound… Surely it could not be her that was making that low rumbling sound of contentment?

Oh, this human would pay…

But not until she stopped what she was doing.

Xian Pu closed her eyes and let the human pay homage to her perfection, as she purred away.

Kasumi walked as she held the rope around Ryouga's neck until she was sure that they were far enough away that even feline hearing would be unlikely to hear them. She glanced at Ryouga, the question clear in her eyes. He looked back at the camp and let out a great, shuddering sigh as he changed forms and eyed the rope she still held.

Kasumi smiled and looked at the rope. "Is it true that if I let go of this you could just wander off somewhere without even noticing it?"

Ryouga chuckled. "I wish I could say that it was simply a joke, or instructions for someone taking your tamed boar for a walk but… With how I am cursed, it's possible. If we looked away from each other, I could easily walk what I thought was straight and end up… Somewhere else. Somewhere that a few steps should not take me. So, as undignified as it is, please.. Just keep a hold of it."

Kasumi nodded, then smiled as she untied the rope, and tied it once more around his wrist. "There, I dare say that it will be much more convenient for both of us."

Ryouga looked at the rope and snorted then nodded. "I find that acceptable… Thank you." He said the last quietly.

"Well, we are friends, so it's best that both of us are comfortable in any given situation." Kasumi said it like it was the most natural conclusion.

"I still find it odd that you consider us friends, Priestess Tendo." Ryouga said in his deep rumble.

"It's Kasumi. Friends call each other by their given names." Kasumi said as she smiled at him, clearly stating it as a fact, while trying to take the sting out of the reprimand.

Ryouga chuckled. "Kasumi, then." He continued to walk alongside the human woman as he glanced at her from the side of his eye. "When are you going to say what you have wanted to say since you saw me in the camp?"

Kasumi smiled happily as she walked a little closer to him. "Just to confirm. Robin is the Demon King, but changed into the form of a human woman. And that adorable cat is the felinoid demon that Nabiki had a run in with, am I correct?"

Ryouga chuckled. "You are too observant, Priestess…" He started but at the sudden look he got he chuckled once more and cleared his thick throat. "Kasumi. You are too observant, Kasumi. That is indeed the King and Lord of all demons, and those that worship the Goddess of the Night. And please, never tell Xian Pu you think she is pretty or adorable, I beg of you." He said earnestly.

Kasumi nodded and smiled at his correction. She mulled over what he had said for a few more steps before she started to speak again. "How is it that Akane can't tell? I mean, you don't have to tell me, but one of the powers of the Hero is to always know when the Demon King is nearby. And… Will this Xian Pu be offended if I tell her I think she is pretty or adorable?" Kasumi asked worriedly.

Ryouga started to laugh, then silenced himself as he looked towards the camp. "I can't tell you why your sister can't tell who Robin is, but rest assured, if He wishes to use his powers, your sister will be aware of his presence once more. And, no… Xian Pu will not be upset. She might act like she is, but she is a vain creature who constantly seeks and craves praise. Your sister will have her hands full if she continues to pour attention on that vain little terror."

Kasumi nodded as she let that sink in. "At least I won't have to worry about patching up either of my sisters for now, as long as everyone gets along. That's a relief."

"You are not going to press me for details?" Ryouga asked in a curious tone.

"About your master, or I guess mistress at the moment? No, why would I? We are friends, and you don't pry into the secrets that they feel they must keep. As long as those four are not trying to kill each other, why should it bother me? Honestly, mayhaps some good can come of this if your master and my sister can continue to get along." Kasumi said as she kneeled down to fetch a mushroom.

"But… We are all sworn enemies?" Ryouga said, still unable to fully believe that one of the war-mongering humans would not want to do battle all the time.

"Because of things that none of us can control. Because the Goddesses wage war using mortals lest they crack the world asunder. Because both of our peoples covet the same lands. Because we have been fighting longer than almost any of us have been alive. And I would think, going from what I had been taught, that it would be the Demons who would want the war to continue on." Kasumi said as she turned to face him.

Ryouga huffed. "Not all want peace, no. But many do. Many of us want the war to end, and some do not think that the humans must be wiped out or subjugated to do that." He sighed and stared up at the moon. "Some of us are quite weary of war and death."

Kasumi could feel tears slowly welling up as she looked at her companion standing in the moonlight. There was something so lonely and forlorn in how he carried himself. His head might make him almost inscrutable to her, but the rest of him spoke volumes quite clearly to her. She didn't hesitate as she stepped forward, and carefully took his larger, rougher hand into hers. "It will be okay, I am sure that the war can end… No, that it will end. And then… Maybe peace is possible.

Kasumi looked down as she felt his massive hand gently squeeze hers as he continued to stare upwards.

"I hope so, Kasumi. I grow so very weary of this pointless bloodshed." He rumbled and all Kasumi could do was nod as she held his hand tighter and offered what comfort she could.

Nearby, under that same clear moon…

"As I see it, this is the best chance we are goin' to git. We take out the Lord, and then I am the new lord, you git me?" The large Orc stated as he looked at his minions arrayed around him. "It's the Goddesses will, after all. We take him an' the rest out, and then we show them stupid humans what death really looks like!"

The roar of his minions is deafening as the leader grinned a lopsided grin, his broken tusk gleaming in the light.