InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Desperation ❯ Chapter 32 ( Chapter 32 )

Chapter Thirty-Two

 

 

 

It was nearing mid morning when Kagome walked into the kitchen. Inuyasha had taken Shippo for a run at dawn so she had slept in. When she reached the bottom of the stairs wonderful smells from the kitchen drew her in. She rounded the corner to find Brook loading four large baskets with food.

“What's going on?” She asked. Brook lifted her head a bright smile on her face.

“We're going on a picnic. I thought that it would be a nice way to spend the day. We can go swimming as well. We're going to a really nice pond.”

“That sounds great. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Yeah,” Brook handed her a plate of warm waffles, “you can eat breakfast and meet everyone out front.”

“Okay,” she dug in as Brook finished filling the baskets.

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Everyone was gathered outside, Inuyasha and his pack, Brook and her sisters, Shadara's boy's, and the unicorns. They had been together for all of a minute when Shadara strode from the house. Her hair down with the silver lock braided, clad in black as usual, tank top, jeans, boots, van braces, and her weapons in place.

“Good morning everyone,” her tone was bright.

“Good morning, how are you doing?” Kagome asked.

“Back to myself thank you,” she gave a small but genuine smile.

She walked up to Starlight and ran her hand down his neck under his mane. He nuzzled her shoulder and gave a short purr.

“I'm glad that you're feeling better today little one.”

“So am I.” She grabbed a handful of his mane and swung herself up onto his back. “Let's go have some fun.” She looked at Inuyasha. “Do you have your sword?”

“Keh, of course. You think I would go anywhere without it?”

“No, and I have one more question. How did you keep up with us yesterday?”

“Watch and find out.” He smirked and crouched down.

Kagome and Shippo climbed onto his back, he nodded to Sango, and stood.

“Kirara please,” she spoke to the fire neko.

With a roar and a flash of fire she transformed. As Sango and Miroku jumped onto her back the shifter looked at her.

“She's rather impressive isn't she?” Shadara looked back at Inuyasha. “Would I be correct in thinking that she can fly as well.”

“Yep, and I'm damn fast on my feet so which way we going?”

“North-east,” Starlight leapt forward and they were off.

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They traveled for several miles through the forest before coming to a rolling plain. A few more miles and they arrived at a beautiful pond shaded by a large willow tree.

When they came to a stop Starlight spun in a tight circle, reared, and bugled. With a laugh Shadara leapt from his back.

“Happy are you,” she asked the stallion.

“You being well makes me happy, you know that little one.”

“Aye, I do.” She touched his muzzle and turned to the others. “So do we eat first or start heaving people into the water?”

“Food first,” Fawn said.

Brook and Annie spread out some blankets and soon they were all gathered around the open baskets. The shifter's pack each took their full plates to the outer edges. Where they shared the fruit they had with their unicorns.

Shadara refused to sit. She held a large bunch of grapes in her hand. Every other one she plucked went to Starlight; he gently lipped each one from her hand.

Brook's flame colored stallion Rage seemed to like strawberries. He kept making her laugh. Each time she took a little too long in getting the treat to him he would breathe against her neck, tickling her.

Fawns' bonded was the sea green of ocean waves with a pale purple mane and tail. She fixed him his own plate of cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and potato salad. He quickly emptied his plate and then wiped his lips across Fawn's arm. She squealed at the bit of salad he left on it.

“Fury, you ass!” She swung at him and he jumped away. She scrambled to her feet and made a sorry attempt at chasing him. “I'll get you for that.” He laughed and trotted away from her flipping his long tail.

“Saber I'm glad that you don't act like that,” Annie said looking at the deep blue stallion lying next to her.

“I agree, I could not see myself behaving in such a manner. Poseidon has always been the joker. I am grateful that I didn't succeed in getting him to grow up. He and Fawn are a good pair with their zest for life.”

“Poseidon,” there was a confused note to Kagome's tone.

“Poseidon's Fury,” Shadara said from where she stood leaning against the willow. In her hand was a piece of chicken that she was delicately pulling strips from. For every piece she ate her sons got two.

“Mama stop feeding us and eat,” Kit growled at her.

“Shush, I'm fine, now eat this,” she held out another strip. He opened his mouth and she dropped the meat into it.

“He's right Holly, you need to eat more, and you didn't eat at all yesterday.”

“I know you are worried about me.” She glanced at her one eyebrow raised. “I wonder why you are pushing your luck with your persistence in using that name.”

“I'm trying to get you to listen to me. What's wrong?”

Shadara's head had snapped up and she dropped the napkin she had been wiping her fingers with. She growled lightly.

“They wish to push me,” her voice was quiet and deadly. She looked to her pack mates. “They are coming.” She pushed away from the tree, walked around the group, and looked across the plain to the north.

Inuyasha and his pack stood and gathered behind the shifter. He took a deep breath scenting the air.

“I don't smell anything.”

“You wouldn't. They are too far away and down wind. I can feel them.” Her green eyes narrowed. “They dare to push my borders twice in two days. They will regret doing so.”

“Is it another group of young ones?” Brook asked.

Shadara closed her eyes and pushed her power out, than she smirked.

“It's Talon and a well seasoned patrol.”

“You seem glad about this, I thought you didn't like to fight,” Miroku said.

“I love a good fight; it's the blood and the death that get to me. It was the slaughter of the young ones that bothered me. They had no idea what they were in for. These know better.” She walked forward. Her pack followed her.

They stood behind her, Brook to her left, Fawn to her back, and Annie to her right. Shadara drew her sword with a steely hiss. She held the blade at arm's length point down. Her right hand was around the end of the hilt and her left covering her right. She drew in a deep breath.

“TSUNASDI NAQUU!” Her voice ran out and there was a bright flash of light.

When the light faded Shadara now stood dressed in white, boots, jeans, long sleeved shirt, van braces, and weapon harnesses. Her hair was pulled up in a high pony tail.

Behind her Brook, Fawn, and Annie were now in deep shades of red, green, and blue.

“Damn.”

“That's handy.”

Sango and Kagome looked at each other and laughed for a second.

“Well it is,” Sango said.

“I know,” Kagome answered.

“Brook, Rage containment,” Shadara called.

“Are you sure little one?” Starlight asked.

“Very, it's time Talon learned exactly who he's dealing with. He will pay for yesterday.”

“I agree,” he walked past her.

“Starlight wait,” he stopped and looked back at her, “Give me Kirree, I don't want him to be injured.” She stepped to his side and he lowered his head. She reached under his mane. When she pulled her hands back she was holding a small pouch. She lightly scratched at the flap.

“Kirree, I need you to come out.”

Inuyasha's pack all look at her curiously as the pouch started to wiggle. The women and Shippo smiled when a small silver and white striped cat's face emerged from the pouch. He was rubbing his eye sleepily with one tiny hand.

“Yes My Lady? Did you or the Commander need anything?” He asked in a small piping voice.

“No dear one. The dark ones are coming. I am moving you some place safe. I only wished to tell you.” She ran her finger over his tiny ears. “You are to stay with our new friends.”

“Of course My Lady,” he gave a sharp nod.

Shadara turned and walked to Kagome. She carefully handed the little creature to her.

“Please watch him for me. Starlight would grieve if anything happened to him.”

“I will,” Kagome held the pouch against her chest as the shifter walked back to her bonded.

“My Lady seems improved in her mood this day,” Kirree's small voice piped. “The Commander has been so worried about her.” He turned and looked at Kagome his mint green eyes shining. “Are you responsible for My Lady's return to her normal demeanor?”

“A little, my mate deserves most of the credit.” She answered him with a smile and a look toward Inuyasha.

“Keh,” at the sound of his usual response the little creature looked at him.

“I thank you sir, from the bottom of my heart, for giving her the aid she so desperately needed.” Inuyasha gave him a nod and turned his attention back to the shifter.

Shadara and Starlight stood at the front of the group. Their combined pack and herd stood spread out behind them, shielding the others.

“Oi,” he had noticed how he was behind the defensive line, “I don't need to be fuck'n protected.”

“Aye, I know Inuyasha,” Shadara called back. “My demons are different than yours. I wish for you to watch and learn, so that you may join us for the next battle.” Her voice took a fierce turn. “Also this is retribution and for that I need no aid.”

The shifter and her bonded stalked forward, and their family spread out a bit further.

Moments later Inuyasha felt the ground rumble under his bare feet. He looked up and though he could see a cloud of dust approaching he couldn't see what was causing it.

“They're shielded!” Brook called out.

“They won't be for long,” Fawn answered and dropped to her knees. She plunged her hands into the grass and touched the earth.

Once she made contact with the soil a shimmering transparent green wall sprang up along the top of the hill in front of them.

They could hear the thunder of the approaching enemy coming up the back of the hill. When the sound hit Fawn's wall it rippled, and though it stopped the cloud of dust. It didn't stop what had caused it.

A herd of more than thirty dark unicorns flowed down the hill. They came to a smooth stop at the bottom of the hill.

Inuyasha swept his eyes over them. They were large varying little in size. They were differing dark shades of brown with red, orange, or sickly yellow markings.

“It seems that my plan failed.” They looked half way up the hill at the last of the dark ones. “I had expected you to be broken up after yesterday little slayer.” This one's coat was truly black with crimson slash like markings, on his shoulders, hips, neck, and legs.

“Talon, how could you send your own son knowing I would kill him?” He rolled his red eyes at the shifter's question.

“He was expendable. I have six others and they aren't difficult to make. Foals are so easily replaced.” He looked at Shadara and frowned. “I really am disappointed that you're not a mess. I was sure that with your stupid morals that you would be right now. Pity that you're not,” he sighed. “Get them.” He sounded bored.

Kagome clutched Inuyasha's arm as the dark ones surged forward, and Shadara and Starlight were quick to meet them.

“There's so many how can they fight them alone?”

“They're strong don't worry.”

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“Get them.”

Talon is mine. Starlight's voice was rough with his anger.

Aye, I'll keep the rest of them off of you.

They moved forward together.

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It was quickly obvious why Shadara was called the Slayer.

When the dark ones charged it took her and Starlight seconds to meet them. A few seconds more and they were in the middle of a melee. She spun and slashed, cutting tendons and bringing the beasts to the ground. Every one that she dropped she struck the horn from their head, as her blade passed through the dirty bronze they moved no more.

Starlight was surrounded, blood ran down his neck from a slash, and covered his twisted gold and ivory horn. Suddenly Shadara cut down the dark one behind him and leapt onto his back. Taking the horns from the ones on either side, she leapt over his head, and engaged the ones before him.

He swerved around them and continued on.

“TALON!” His deep bellow filled the hollow.

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“Damn,” Miroku gave a low whistle. “Do you think she was holding back on you yesterday,” he asked Inuyasha as they watched her dart under a beast and shatter its' foreleg with the hilt of her sword.

“No,” he shook his head, “she was fuck'n tired.”

“There's so much power behind her strikes,” Sango said as Shadara sprung onto another one's back.

When it reared she grabbed its' mane and brought her sword down across the horn. As it fell she vaulted away.

“Papa look.”

They turned and watched Starlight break through the back of the patrol and slam into Talon. Both stallions screamed as they reared and struck at the other.

Starlight's golden hooves connected with Talon's shoulder knocking him sideways. As he scrambled to recover he slashed across the white hide, laying the hip open.

They cringed at the sight of the blood staining the snowy coat.

Starlight reared once more and matched his opponent blow for blow. He soon had the dark one by the throat pushing him up as high as he could. Once he had him at his full height he let go, spun around, and kicked with all his might. Both hooves connected with Talon's ribs, shattering bone, and throwing him onto his back.

As he tried to rise he felt Starlight's teeth on his neck.

“Starlight wait!” There was panic in his voice. He was ignored as the pale stallion lifted him and slammed him back down, snapping his neck.

“No,” he struck the horn from his head and turned to watch his bonded finish the last three.

As the final one fell Shadara surveyed the battle field.

“Collect the horns,” she called out.

Her pack were quick as they passed over the field. They soon had every horn in a mound beyond the trampled grass.

Shadara stood in the center of the remains of the skirmish. She took a quick scan of the area making sure everyone was clear. She raised her sword. With her eyes and silver hair glowing she called out.

“Galutsv Atsilv,” as the words left her lips the bodies and blood stained grass burst into a raging inferno.

When the fire died she stood untouched, the ground around her blackened, and the bodies completely consumed. As she sheathed her blade she strode to her pack.

“Fawn heal the earth.” Her voice was soft.

“Gladly,” the brunette skipped forward, put her hands in the ashes, and began to hum.

Inuyasha approached the shifter.

“Neat trick with the fire,” he smirked. “Sure beats the hell out of burying the fuckers.”

“Aye that it does,” she looked at him her eyes smiling.

“What's she doing,” he asked nodding to Fawn who was singing now.

“Her power has to do with plants. She can control how well and how quickly they grow.” She looked at the green blush that started to overtake the burned area.

“What's she singing,” Kagome asked.

“It's an old Gaelic song about spring and new growth, it helps her concentrate.” She turned to her bonded and touched his hip. “You are wounded.”

“I was careless in my rage. Are you?” There a slight concerned sound to his voice.

“I am hale; let us care for you,” she turned her head, “Saber to me please.”

The dark blue stallion came to her side. His actions were swift and smooth as he inspected and healed his Commander's wounds.

“Finished My Lady,” he said with a dip of his head.

“Thank you, skillfully executed as always,” she patted his shoulder.

“You're welcome.” He backed away and returned to his girl.

“Let us get you clean. I do not enjoy seeing your coat marred by something so unsightly.”

“You need cleaning up as well little one,” he looked at her blood splattered clothes.

“Aye so into the pond with the both of us,” she headed toward the baskets. “Brook where is my suit?”

“It's in the small basket.”

“Thank you,” she fished out an emerald green swim suit. “Anyone else getting in,” she asked as she walked behind the tree to change.

The other women were quick to follow her example. Soon everyone was in the cool water.

Starlight stood in the middle of the pond with Shadara perched on his back. She was washing the blood from his coat and mane. The little cat like creature, Kirree, sat between the stallion's ears.

“So what was with cutting their horns off,” Inuyasha asked. Shadara lifted her head and looked at him.

“The surest and quickest way to kill a unicorn is to sever their horn. Even the worst of the wounds we inflicted today could have been survived.”

“Why did you collect them instead of burning them?” Miroku asked.

“There is still power in them that can be used for beneficial reasons.” She lay on Starlight's back on her stomach, her head lying on her folded arms above his tail.

“We grind them up,” Brook said. “Then we spread the powder over farm land in areas where the people are struggling to survive. In a matter of weeks their crops dramatically improve.”

Inuyasha looked at the shifter.

“Are you trying to save the whole damn world?”

“No, just parts of it,” her voice was quiet and her eyes slid closed. “I know that I can't save everyone, no matter how much I may wish to…” Her voice trailed off.

Surrounded by her family she slept.

 

 

 

 

 

 

End notes: Tsunasdi Naquu is Cherokee for Change Now. Galutsv Atsilv is Cherokee for Come Fire. I don't know if I used these words quite right. I looked up the individual word translations on the Cherokee Nation web site. Their word list is wonderful. You type in the word you want translated, hit search, and it provides the Cherokee word, and a recording of it. It's cool to hear the words spoken. Some of the sounds in the Cherokee language are really difficult to pronounce. It's going to be a difficult language to learn. I don't care I'm going to do it anyway.

Till later,

Eluwei