Chapter 3: Morning Battle
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Sango, Miroku, Shippou and Kilala stood, watching the now combatants. Sango and Miroku chuckled at Kouga's ignorance. He should have known something; it was obvious they all answered to Kagome and to her alone.
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Kagome blinked in amusement. She unsheathed her two swords and faced Kouga. He glared at Inuyasha, wondering if he was being jested. "What is the meaning of this?"
Kagome growled towards Koga, "You question me, not my pack without permission." She sighed, "I will void your claim if I win, but if you win you will be allowed to court my person."
Kouga grinned, "Well this will be easy." He unsheathed his weapon and took a battle stance. He watched as the others stepped into the formal circle, he would be happy to take this pack as his own. They would be a fine addition.
Kagome tilted her head in a bored fashion, showing him he was not entertaining. She narrowed her eyes and initiated the battle. Inuyasha called out, "The terms are accepted and as beta, I find these terms valid!" He folded his arms over his chest.
Kagome leapt forward at a surprised Kouga, even though he had the shards it was a surprise. He leapt away and tried to strike her. She rolled away and leapt forward again. Her longer blade swaying toward him, she suddenly propelled her body forward. The wolf was caught off guard again, which resulted in first blood. He felt the cold blade slash mercilessly through his right arm.
Kouga stared in shock, well if she was serious than so would he. He narrowed his eyes and raced forward. He leapt and swung his leg around into a roundhouse kick. The look on Kagome's face told him she was expecting such from him. She dropped and then stood again. She used the flat end of her blade to smack him across the face. He shook his head, the cold blade continually making him shiver. She was toying with him. He growled in her direction and Kagome released a snicker. He leapt forward and feinted, at first going to use his blade. He used his free hand, with blood rolling down his arm, and slashed. It caught her from the jaw line to near her nose. She grinned at him, while the blood rolled down her face and neck.
She growled, a near perfect imitation, "It's finally started!" Kagome crouched then launched herself into the air. She spun and released her smaller white blade. It was flung at Kouga who blocked with his blade. He blinked when Kagome's shadow concealed the sun. He looked up to see her falling straight for him, the longer blade still in hand. She knew he was going to leap to the left and flung her blade in that direction. The blade caught him in the shoulder. He nearly cried out in pain, though whimpering came from his throat unbidden. He saw Kagome land and grabbed her white blade.
Koga leapt away from Kagome, with the long blade still in his shoulder. He blinked his sky-blue eyes, while his beast snickered at him. The female was stronger than them and the beast knew such. He was distracted for a moment by his beast's howling laughter. A quick and painful strike snapped his attention away from his other half. He spun to the left and faced her.
Kagome clicked her tongue in disappointment and shook her head. She blinked and a fist was coming towards her face, for an odd reason it seemed... at a normal speed. She threw her fist into the air and knocked the strike away before using the hilt of her blade to slam into his rib cage. He ignored his beast, intent on beating the woman before him.
He noticed Inuyasha's surprised look before looking back at Kagome. He realized that she seemed more wolfish now... earlier it seemed as if she were more like an inu. He was completely distracted which had cost him the battle. She used his move against him, which he ended on his back.
She stepped forward and placed the blade on his neck. "Do you yield?" She looked at him and narrowed her eyes; he then knew she would kill him if he should answer wrong.
"I yield." His answer rang clear through out the clearing. He felt the coldness within his shoulder. She lowered her blade and lashed the blade, the blood retreating or being flung from the silver. She re-sheathed the weapon.
She motioned for Inuyasha to come to her side, which he gladly acquiesced. He bounded and landed besides her. The cold cerulean leaked away until shining cobalt gleamed through. She sighed, not regretfully. "Well now, some one knows."
Inuyasha, "Kouga won't tell a soul." He growled menacingly while yanking the blade from his shoulder. The wolf yelped and cried out in pain. He swung the blade to cause blood to be flung. He handed the blade to Kagome who clicked her tongue in disappointment. He then called, "Kouga's claim has been voided." He grinned at Kagome who was now inspecting Kouga's wounds.
She sighed again before lifting a glowing hand. The color was searing whitish-pink. Kouga flinched, thinking this was the end. He felt a warm rush through his body and realized Kagome had healed him. She looked at Inuyasha and they both stepped away. Koga spoke, "You are a powerful alpha." He paused, "I give you my loyalty and life." He kneeled and lowered his head, allowing his neck to be seen.
Kagome smiled, "I must agree." She placed her hand on the back of his head and patted while grinning arrogantly. "Now raise, Prince of the East." Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango chuckled at his shocked his face.
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Sesshomaru glared at the speaker, while the aura fought and clashed with his own. He calmly ignored the sputtering of Jaken. "So you seek the kitsune with the miko?" He questioned coldly and kept himself from grounding his teeth.
The visitor snickered with amusement, "That is so." The cutting voice seemed calmer with the strife between their auras. The blazing crimson eyes danced with amusement, "I have ended a monk's life."
Sesshomaru wrinkled his nose, "Why would you dirty your claws?" An amused laughter responded for a moment. He gave a sadistic smirk and chuckled briefly himself.
"The monk requested a painless death." The visitor responded while still chuckling. The visitor shook off the hood, revealing blood red hair, tanned skin and six lines across each cheek. The blazing crimson eyes sparkled in sadistic amusement.
"Kyuubi, go to the continent and request their best guard." Sesshomaru growled lowly. He was to have a ball in his own home in two months time. "Seek my mother's brother; he would only have the best."
"Shall I return in two weeks?" Kyuubi's voice returned with a mocking tone. He knew Sesshomaru would demand perfection, thus he would have returned in two. A knowing flash crossed his eyes, which made Sesshomaru a tad curious.
He flicked his hand and Kyuubi vanished. He supposed he should retrieve the kit within those two weeks. Sesshomaru observed as Rin slowly woke. He blinked when she waved her hand in his direction.
A small proud smirk made its way to his face. She was beginning to follow the instincts she carried. There could be hope for his ward yet.
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Two males stood side by side, grins on their faces, soon. Gold met sapphire, a knowing gleam in each. The one with gold eyes stood tall with silver hair, a crescent mark in the middle of his forehead. He bore two marks upon each cheek, while his tanned skin contrasted with the hard silver locks.
The other with blue eyes, had obsidian locks down to his waist, which was tied into a low pony tail braid and bore the mark of the Pure Star upon his forehead. He and the other male wore battle clothing. He pondered aloud, his voice low and baritone. "Who would figure it out first?"
His companion gave a smirk, one similar to the two living Inu's of the West, his voice coming out rough and controlled. "They both would, but would refuse to admit because of their arrogance." Laughter sprang into the air around them.
"Soon our children, soon will you realize the potential you both carry." The one with dark hair murmured.
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Koga shook the surprise from him. He muttered, "Should you need the assistance of the Eastern Pack all you need to do is ask." He waved; this probably would be the best. He growled lowly in his throat before racing away.
Kagome shook her head. The group shook their head; they all understood the meaning behind the offer. It was for those who had direct contact with the hanyou Naraku, to battle such a vile being. They knew him, but didn't understand their arch-nemesis. She looked down at the boiling water and placed the meat into the container. She placed the vegetables as well while sitting on the log.