The Meikai War

Chapter11

Suoh landed in a clearing surrounded by thick ancient pines that served to some what hide his massive form. He lowered his head to the ground allowing Korin to climb off.

"What are you doing Suoh?!" growled Korin once he‘d climbed off the ryu long serpent neck. "I did not tell you to land."

Suoh changed shapes back to his more humanoid one, a pale and trembling Yoko supported in his arms.

"Your woman is weak. If we do not stop and rest she may die," said Suoh gentle laying the red fox down on the ground.

Korin snorted. "Worthless vixen. I have the three worlds to conquer, she’s slowing me down."

"Sir, I too would like a rest. I’m still rather stiff from my long imprisonment."

Korin seemed to considered the request. "Very well, we will rest for the night. You tend to her," he said turning around and looking for a good place to lay down.

"Yes, sir," said Suoh crouching down to pet Yoko long red hair. His fingers wondered over to play with the vixen’s fury ears. Suoh’s eyes grew watery as he painted the red youko silver with his eyes. "Inari," whispered Suoh bowing his head. He raised up his wrist and bit into it drawing blood.

"What are you doing?!" shouted Korin.

"Treating her," said Suoh lifting Yoko’s head and pressing the open wound to her mouth. "Dragon’s blood has several strong healing properties to it. It will help heal." Satisfied he’d managed to pour a sufficient amount into the red fox’s mouth Suoh licked his wound and felt along Yoko’s form for injuries. She was battered and bruised, several cuts marred her soft skin, some would probably leave scars since they hadn‘t been tended to right away. Her ki had turned inward to help with the healing process, luckily she didn’t had any injuries that were too major. Suoh estimated she would be able to travel tomorrow, although she’d more then like still be very weak.

Suoh tore off the top of his white robs and ripped it into long strips to cover Yoko’s deeper cuts. He tried to ignore Korin’s dark purple eyes as they followed his every move. Whether he was worried for his lover or raking Suoh’s body with those purple orbs was hard to say; Suoh had no desire to look into them to find out. Standing he blew a flame of black fire on the ground a safe distance from the red youko and turned start walking away.

"Where are you going?!" demanded Korin.

"To hunt," said Suoh looking back over his shoulder. "I haven’t fed for several thousand years, I need to make a fresh kill to regain my strength. Do you wish me to bring you something back?"

"No." Korin narrowed his eyes at the ryu. "Return before the night is half over. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," said Suoh turn back to walk off into the trees.

The ryu easily killed a deer like beast and consumed it all raw. Once he’d finished his meal he stood under a tree and looked up at the night sky.

"Inari," whispered Suoh again. "Where are you?"
* * * * * * * * * *
Inari couldn’t help the wide smile that spread on his face as Suoh landed lightly on his balcony railing perching like a big black pigeon on his toes.

Inari went to the large glass doors and throw them open as Suoh hopped down. He greeted the ryu with a deep kiss, dragging him inside. Inari all but picked Suoh up and tossed him on his large feather bed, he ached to pleasure the ryu. He wanted to make Suoh feel good in hopes of getting back on the rye’s good side as well as in his pants. He was stopped from climbing on top of the ryu by one clawed foot planted on the middle his chest.

"Hold on a minute Inari. I came here to talk," said Suoh in a serious voice.

"Can’t we talk later, an hour maybe two, okay, tomorrow, let’s talk tomorrow," said Inari leaning on the foot. Suoh planted his other foot on Inari chest.

"No, we talk now," said the ryu pushing him back and sitting up.

Inari bit the inside of his cheek; of course, the ryu didn’t want to, the memories of the last time they were together were still too fresh. "Very well, have it your way," said Inari crossing his arms trying not to show how much the ryu‘s rejection hurt. He had to give Suoh a choice, needed Suoh permission to do any more then he already had. That was the only way their partnership would work.

"First off," said Suoh. "When will your kind launch another attack against the Meikai?"

"Not for some time. Neptune lost his mount in the last battle so he wants to wait for the next challenge to pick out a new one. It’ll be after that."

Suoh frowned and Inari almost regretted speaking so casually about the death and possible capture of a ryu.

"Very well then," said Suoh. "Will you announce our agreement to work together at Dragon Springs then?"

"Announce?" said Inari.

"Yes," said Suoh. "Or did you plan to just show up for battle together and let them tell you then what they thought then?"

"I see your point. Very well, then I will tell them at Dragon Springs. But, first," said Inari getting up and moving to a closet. He opened it and pulled out something made of a silver cloth like material with straps on it. Suoh raised an eyebrow at him. "This is a specially designed ryu saddle, most of the other gods have them made for their mounts, it fits for both shapes. I would be honored if you’d wear it for me."

"You got a bit to got with that saddle," said Suoh not looking pleased. "One nice big silver target for the enemy to hit."

Inari smiled. "While I would be thrilled to see you in my colors this isn’t a normal saddle. My aura is silver, therefore, it’s silver because I’m touching it. If you touch it or put it on it’ll change to match your aura color."

Suoh was still give him that *look*

"You don’t want me to fall off do you?" asked Inari innocently.

"Hn," snorted Suoh. "Very well I’ll try it on, but if I don’t like it, I’m not wearing it."

Inari smiled widely. “That’s all I ask.”

"Well," said Suoh.

"Eh?"

"Get out so I can try it on."

"Why so shy? Nothing I haven’t seen before," teased Inari.

"Do you want me to put it on or not?" barked Suoh.

"Fine," said Inari not wanting to push his luck with the little ryu. "I’ll wait for you down stairs," he said walking out of the room.

Inari rested on a stuffed cushion while he waited for Suoh. A priest of his served him wine as he idly drummed his fingertips on the chair‘s arm waiting for Suoh to immerge. Not in the mood to deal with servants Inari dismissed him after asking that he leave the pitcher. The silver youko priest dutifully bowed and left Inari to wait for his guest.

Inari’s sensitive ears heard the soft click as the upstairs door opened and closed. He listened as Suoh’s light steps moving down the stairs and ended behind him.

"Well?"

Inari turned his head eyes widened as he did. The harness had turned from metallic silver to pitch black. However, to his delight the lining and clasps had remained silver. His ten tailed kitsune symbol still adorned the clasps, but was now bordered by a long fiery dragon. The smooth material of the harness wrapped all the way around the ryu’s Stomach and hips, like a corset. Thick straps ran over his shoulders, down between his legs, and over his thighs. Under the harness the ryu still wore his light white and gray robs, which sported long sleeves and forked in the back for his tail.

"I like," said Inari running his eyes over the sleek ryu. It wasn’t hard to imagine the ryu naked dressed like that; The harness was skin tight and molded to every curve as if painted on.

Suoh snort. "Just how is this suppose to keep you from falling off?" asked Suoh turning around. "There are no handles."

Inari grinned. "The saddle and straps for me to hold on don’t appear when you’re like this, they’d get in the way. They’ll appear when you’re in your ryu form."

"I see," said Suoh putting his hands on his hips.

Climbing from his chair Inari moved to circle behind the ryu admire the way the material hugged his form. He couldn’t help, but reach out and wrap his arms around the ryu’s slender waist nudging the ryu’s neck aside to kiss his throat in the hope of exciting him. In his arms Suoh stiffened. Inari sighed sadly and stepped back.

"Sorry," said Suoh in a low voice sounding ashamed.

"No," said Inari just as softly. "It’s me who is sorry." Inari moved to embrace him again, but there was nothing sexual about it this time. "Just let me hold you Suoh, that’s all I ask."

The ryu lifted his head and gave a small smile wrapping his arms around Inari’s waist in return.

* * * * * * * * * *
Suoh entered from the roof of the hall of Challenge and joined his clan.

"Suoh, what are you wearing?" asked Rouin as soon as the smaller ryu stood next to him.

"A harness," said Suoh crossing his arms as if it were nothing.

"Isn’t that Inari’s symbol?" asked Chi staring at the silver clasps with a ten-tailed fox on them.

Rouin gasped and grabbed Suoh’s head snapping it back to look at the ryu’s neck. "What the- you’re not collared? Why are you wearing his symbol?!"

"I choose to," said Suoh not bothered by his friends’ reactions, well not completely; he reached up and rubbed his neck.

"But-"

"Shhh," said Suoh. "You’ll understand soon enough."

Chi and Rouin exchanged confused glances.

Inari watched as Suoh landed on the ryus’ side and talked to his friends. He would never tell any one, but he was nervous as hell. What was he going to say?! No god had ever formed a partnership with a ryu, not like what he now had with Suoh. It was like admitting Suoh as his equal. Inari chewed on his lower lip, he had been thinking of Suoh in that way more and more as time passed. He’d been taught from the beginning that he was better then any mortal creature. However, it was true that some mortals were quit impressive. Human’s could do incredible things in their short life times, demon could gain powers equal to that of a god’s, some spirits and magic beasts were older and wiser then some gods. Was it so wrong to think so highly of them? Maybe it was, but he was starting to develop a new respect for mortals, especial one little black ryu.

The tournament was called and the fighting began.

Suoh frowned as he looked at Inari from across the way.

Come on, any time now fox thought the ryu tapping his foot impatiently. Was the silver fox god going to wait till the tournament was over and everyone left?! He knew this wasn’t something easy for the silver god, it was a great sacrifice on Inari’s part, but if the fox was ashamed to admit him as a partner then perhaps they shouldn’t be.

Suoh watched as a blue ryu won his fight and returned triumphantly to the dragon’s side. Suoh locked eyes with Inari the silver fox god lowered his gaze.

Suoh snorted, looks like I’m going to have to give the fox a push.

The crowd grew deadly silent as Suoh walked out to the middle of the room and kept walking. A collective roar of shock and confusion ran through the room as Suoh passed the line to stand next to Inari.

"Suoh what are you doing," hissed Inari in a low voice aware that everyone was watching them.

"I got tired of waiting," said Suoh with a shrug.

Inari’s mouth dropped open as he stared at the black ryu.

"Inari what is the meaning of this?" asked Enma.

Inari swallowed his nervousness. "Suoh Ryu stand by my side as my mount."

Everyone began talking at that till Enma’s booming voice called for silence. "You have not defeated this ryu, he wears no collar, why then does he stand beside you and wear your symbol?"

"Because I choose to," said Suoh.

A quick look of shock crossed Enma’s face, he had asked Inari and the ryu had dared to answer.

"Me and Suoh have decided it is a waste of our time to fight each other. Therefore, we have joined forces against a common foe, the Meikai," said Inari holding his head high.

"You would take the word of this ryu? How do you know he will not take it back?"

Suoh growled low in his throat. "Are you saying a ryu’s word is not to be trusted, Lord of the Dead."

"Yes," said Ryuujin stepping forward. "Just what are you saying Enma? Are we so untrustworthy in your eyes? Am I not to be trusted to keep my word, Enma?"

"You are the Golden Ryu," said Enma.

"My word is no less binding then any other ryu’s," said Ryuujin.

"I will protect Inari with my life," said Suoh. "This I swear."

Inari looked down at the ryu with shock. He hadn’t asked such a binding promise from the ryu.

"Then let the ryu prove it!" challenged Aresism stepping foreword and drawing his sword. "Inari!" shouted the war god leaping forward towards the two.

Suoh and Inari jumped back and rolled towards the middle of the room as the blade sliced into the blue floor.

The god of war reached into a pocket and pulled out five round stones. He tossed them into the ring and chanted a quick spell. The stones increased in size to form into five of those yellow-eyed creatures of his.

Inari and Suoh stood back to back. Inari’s mind was spinning; how had this happened? He’d never fought beside Suoh, only against him. He didn’t know if they would fight well together. Well there was only one way to find out. Both ryu and god drew their blades.

The five creatures moved in tighter around the two.

"Relax Inari," purred Suoh. "Remember what I told you when we first met?"

Inari smiled. "Fighting is a dance. I’m going to lead," said Inari.

"If you insist," replied Suoh.

Three of the creatures moved to attack Inari, two moved against Suoh. Inari’s twin blades worked in a blur blocking the three creature’s sword strikes. Behind him Suoh’s fire sword worked just as fast. Inari felt his back bump Suoh’s. One of his blades was wrenched from his grip. He held out his now empty hand and summoned a shoot of bamboo to it. He stuck his other sword in the ground and took the shoot in both hands. "Suoh down!"

The black ryu dropped to his knees as the bamboo streaked out into a long pole. Inari brought it over his head and spun it, hitting all five creatures in the head.

"Not bad," said Suoh in amusement. "My turn."

Suoh rolled back into a ball right between Inari legs. He came up and whipped around extending his wings as he did so, knocking down two of the creature. "Switch sides!"

Inari turned to face the two creatures Suoh had been fighting. "Catch," he said to them tossing them the bamboo pole, which both stupidly caught. Inari grinned and pulled his sword out of the ground. He jabbed the blade into one of the distracted creature’s heart. It slumped and fell dead.

Suoh jumped up into a spin kick racking his clawed foot across the still standing creature’s face, taking out its eyes. The creature wailed and struck out blind. Suoh grabbed its sword and elbowed it in the face, snapping its neck with a loud crack. "Need another sword?" asked Suoh holding the weapon over his shoulder.

"Why thank you," said Inari in amusement taking the blade.

The second creature Inari was fighting threw away the pole and went back to sword strikes. Inari knocked its sword up high with one blade, he cut the sword and the hand that held it off with the other. The creature scream and Inari stopped its wailing with a sword strike to the throat.

The two creatures Suoh had knocked down got up and attacked the black ryu. Suoh blocked their strikes with his one blade. One struck up high the other down low. Suoh parried the one up high and grasped the wrist of the one striking down low with his clawed foot. He twisted and yanked off balancing the creature and caused it to fall face down on the floor. Suoh planted a foot on the thing's head and thrust this blade into its back right at the spine; he then twisted the blade sharply to the side snapping the nerve cord and vertebrate around it. It was dead before it knew what was happening. Suoh fell back and roll through Inari legs again as the fox god was now facing the lone creature.

"Up?" said Inari gesturing with his shoulders.

Suoh smirked and ran up the fox’s back to leap up high. The lone surviving creature snapped its head up to look at the airborne ryu. It snapped its eyes down as a sword ran it through the middle. A second later Suoh landed on the creature’s shoulders, driving his sword strike through its head. Inari pulled out his blade and Suoh jumped back as it fell dead.

Suoh grinned in satisfaction and walked over to the fox god’s sword, which he’d lost in the beginning of the fight. He flipped it up with his foot and tossed it at Inari who caught it and replace his two swords in their sheathes discarding the third spare sword.

They done it! They’d actually done it! A better yet they worked beautifully together, like two well practiced and close dance partners. All those years of fighting against Suoh had enabled him to anticipate and predict the ryu’s moves. It was like magic how good they were together.

Inari was snapped from his battle high when he heard a low whistle. Turning he saw Aresism throwing a dagger in his direction. The fox god’s hands went to his blades, but they were only half way out when the dagger hit, cutting into Suoh’s wing. Inari stepped back in shock. The dagger had been aimed right for him, Suoh had seen it coming and opened one wing to block its path. The ryu didn’t even flinch as he flexed his wing dislodging the knife. It clanged loudly on the floor, a small tear now showed in the thin membrane of Suoh’s wing.

"Suoh are you okay?" asked Inari looking at the rip.

"Fine," said Suoh closing his wing. "Nothing that won’t heal in a couple hours." Suoh narrowed his eyes at Aresism, then turned his ruby gaze to Enma. "Are you satisfied yet Lord of the Dead?"

Enma frowned, but nodded his head. "Very well, do as you please Inari, but it will be your own fault if Suoh betrays you."

"I pride myself on being an excellent judge of character, Enma. I trust Suoh to keep his word." With that said Inari walked over to Suoh and to everyone’s surprised they both left, not bothering to stay and watch the rest of the combat.

* * * * * * * * * *
Suoh and Inari sat on two large boulders at their spring in Dragon springs.

Inari walked over to Suoh and grabbed the ryu’s wing to pull it out.

"Hey!" growled Suoh jumping up and trying to pull out of Inari’s grip.

"Hold still and let me see," said Inari holding on to the wing.

“What?! Get your paws off Fox, I said I was fine!” growled Suoh

Soon the two were having a tug-of-war game with Suoh’s wing.

Inari frowned and without warning swept the ryu off his feet with his longer legs.

Suoh landed hard on his tail and winced, he glared up at Inari from his place on the ground.

Inari studied the wing and placed a hand on the tear, closing his eyes he concentrated. A soft glow covered his hand and before Suoh’s eyes the tear mended itself. Inari opened his silver eyes and inspected his work. Satisfied he released Suoh’s wing. The ryu snapped it away from him, still glaring at the smiling fox god.

"Thanks," muttered Suoh under his breath turning around and pouting in a cute way.

Inari looked at Suoh fondly then a very serious look crossed his face. "Suoh way?"

The ryu turned his head to look at Inari over his shoulder. He lifted an eyebrow. "Why what?"

The fox god knelt down beside the black ryu and turned him so they face one another. "Why did you make that promise to protect me?"

The ryu looked uncomfortable for a second and Inari knew the answer as he caught the ryu’s gaze with his own: love. Suoh Ryu loved him. Inari felt fine tremors run through him at the sheer devotion and loyalty that emotion sparked inside of the black. Mighty indeed you are Aphrodite, thought Inari. For once he didn’t feel worthy; Suoh loved him, but what did he feel for Suoh? Could it be love? Was he even capable of that emotion? Did he want to love someone this much knowing that some day Suoh would be gone? Was it fair to the ryu? He should tell Suoh that he felt the same way about him, but he couldn’t. Why can’t I say it? They’re just words, aren’t they?

"I protect you Inari, because I choose to," said Suoh. "Ryu’s by nature protect the things they love with their lives," whispered the ryu.

Inari felt an ache in his chest. Why does my heart squeeze so tightly when he says that to me? Why can’t I say it back?!

Suoh smiled and stood up, he grabbed Inari and hosted him up. "You’d better go."

"I don’t want to," said Inari unable to break eye contact with Suoh. He moved closer to the ryu, took hold of his head, and kissed the ryu deeply. Wishing he could show the ryu what he felt without the words.

Suoh pulled away with a gasp. "Inari please go," he said looking to the side. "You know what time it is for me- you can’t touch me now, or I might…."

"I know," said Inari, he watched the slight shake of the ryu’s body and once again regretted his brutal act all those nights ago; obviously the thought of conceiving wasn’t the only thing in Suoh’s head. I still want to be with you he thought. The idea of having children with you doesn’t sicken me as it should. Inari kissed Suoh on the cheek and turn around to leave. "I’ll wait for you." It was a promise in more then one way.

* * * * * * * * * *
They had gathered once again, the gods and their mounts, to fight against the Meikai. This was the first time Inari would fight with an organized group, he had always fought solo before. He glance at Suoh who was standing silently, for the moment, at his side taking in all that the gods were saying. They were going to fly above the clouds so as not to be spotted before they reached their target. Then they would descend behind the enemy lines and take out any long-range weapons first that could knock a dragon out of the sky. After that they would engage in melee, killing troops from the air with dragon’s breath and spells. When the troops thinned out then they would land and do hand to hand combat.

Their objective was to capture one of the Meikai’s generals, a shape shifter without a name or known form. He would be hard to find among the Meikai troops.

As they went into details about the upcoming battle Inari tried to ignore the burning gaze of many of his fellow gods. They all looked with disgust at Suoh, who was the only ryu in the room with them- the others were waiting outside. Suoh didn’t seem to care what they thought of him; he returned some of their glares with his own piercing one. Inari was particularly uncomfortable with Aresism who was doing most of the strategy planning.

Inari breathed a sigh of relief when they left finally left the room to walk down a long hall which led to one of the largest rooms Inari had ever seen. Ryus off all colors lay waiting in their dragon forms for them. They were beautiful, the range of colors and markings! Not one ryu was the same.

Inari suddenly realized he’d never seen Suoh in his true form. Now that he thought about it, why hadn’t the ryu ever changed before him? It wasn’t against the rules for a ryu to change forms in the hunt. A ryu was a lot stronger in their true form. Of course, he was glad Suoh hadn’t changed forms when fighting him, the ryu was a hard catch without having to change shapes. Inari’s interest was perked, what would Suoh look like as a dragon? He looked behind him to ask the ryu to show it to him and realized Suoh wasn’t there any more. He looked around and spotted him talking with the other ryus. What was he saying?

Inari walked over to his ryu and realized Suoh was explaining to them what the gods had decided to do. The ryu practically repeated Aresism word for word.

"Suoh," called Inari once the ryu was done. Once again the other gods were glaring at his back. They didn’t like waiting for Suoh to finish talking so they could mount up. The black ryu nodded his head towards Inari and bid his comrades good luck. Inari noted that many of the ryus looked at him with a bit of awe, others looked at him coldly, probably thinking he was a traitor to their kind. Still Inari had to envy Suoh a little, at lease some of his kind didn’t think ill of their partnership.

"Suoh, you should transform," said Inari.

"Hn," the ryu agreed walking over to the side for a spot to change forms.

"What about over here?" asked Inari pointing to one clear area.

"Not big enough," said Suoh and kept walking.

Inari blinked his eyes in confusion. "Not big enough?" he said looking at the spot- it looked big enough for a medium size ryu. Suoh was so small, why wouldn’t he fit?

A young green ryu next to him in dragon from spoke getting his attention. "Inari-sama, Suoh is a black ryu."
"Yes, I know," said Inari.

"He needs more room, because the blacks are the largest of the ryus," said the dragon giving him a toothy grin.

"But, he’s so short," said Inari.

The green dragon and a few others gathered around Inari, laughed softly, although ryu voices are loud naturally.

"Suoh is small in his humanoid form, because he is small by the standards of the black, but he is very large by the standards of dragons," said a red ryu. "Watch," said the ryu indicating with its head.

Inari looked over at the place Suoh had selected. He watched as a black aura surround the ryu completely covering Suoh from the tip of his spiky black mane to the points of his clawed toes. The ryu’s shape changed and began to grow in size. Inari’s breath held in this throat as the black shape towered over the others in the room, half again taller then a medium size ryu. The black aura flashed out, Suoh raised its long graceful neck and roared, stretching out his massive wings.

"Suoh is so beautiful," said one ryu. Inari couldn’t tell its color, because he couldn’t tear his gaze away from the mid-night black ryu with a hint of blue in his shiny coat of scales. A long black mane trailed down the ryu’s back like fire. His eyes were red gems that were both terrifying and beautiful at the same time.

"You are lucky," said one ryu getting Inari’s attention some how. It was a blue ryu with a green mane. "The blacks are the best fighters, you will be safe with him."

Inari smiled at the ryu and raised up a hand to pet its shiny head, shocking the ryu. "Yes, I know, excuse me." He left the ryu still confused with the rest.

Inari was starting to think that the ryu race as a whole was wise beyond their years. They were more understanding then his own kind they treated him kindly for one of the gods that brought them so much pain. Was that just because he was Suoh’s partner, or was it because he gave the ryu a choice?

Inari walked over to Suoh he couldn’t hide his awe of the creature before him. He reached Suoh and touching his shiny coat, so smooth, much like Suoh’s skin had been in his other form.

"You never fail to amaze me Suoh," said Inari looking the ryu in the eyes. "I can’t wait to mount you."

The ryu grinned showing many long sharp teeth. "I think you’re a little small for me now."

Inari laughed and ran his hand cross the ryu’s snort as Suoh lowered his head within Inari’s reach. "Oh, I’ll show you just how big I am later," he whispered.

The ryu laughed again, not uncomfortable at all with the sexual jest; he’d been with Inari ever since he’d entered the Reikai and they were slow building back up to a physical relationship. They hadn’t slept together yet, but shared a kind of love now that wasn’t purely pleasure as it had been before, Inari would only take what Suoh willing gave him. Although, he craved for the ryu again, he wasn’t willing to risk losing Suoh just for some hot pleasure; he could wait for when the ryu was ready, no matter how long it took.

Suoh raised up his head. Inari watched as the ryus submissively bowed theirs to allow their riders to climb on. He looked up at Suoh, but the ryu’s head was near the ceiling.

"Suoh," called Inari.

The ryu grinned down at him. "You don’t except me to bow down to you little fox god, now do you?" asked Suoh.

Inari flushed a little in embarrassment, hoping no one had heard that. He looked around and realized several had. "Then how am I suppose to get on your back? Fly?! If I could do that I won’t need you!"

Still grinning Suoh lay down and extended a wing down for Inari to climb on. Inari did so without a word and Suoh lifted his wing up to level it. Inari simply walked across the wing till he was on the ryu’s back. "So you’re saying you won’t bow to me, but you’ll lay down for me?" asked Inari, he couldn’t help but tease the ryu a little. It was Suoh’s turn to be embarrassed Inari could feel the ryu’s body temperature go up as he flushed. Suoh looked around hoping no one had heard, same as Inari several had.

"I think I’m going to be the one to show you later," hissed Suoh.

Inari laughed, he hoped the ryu meant he wanted to resume their physical relation as the one on top and not that he was going to beat him to a bloody pulp. Inari grinned, he knew he was pushing his luck, but he couldn’t help his playful nature. "I don’t think I’ve ever had this much power between my legs," he said patting the ryu’s back with a naughty grin. It was funny to see a dragon frown. Suoh snorted and Inari could only make a few words, "perverted" and "Fox" as the dragon grumbled under his breath.

Aresism called for them to take flight and Inari strapped himself tightly into his saddle. His stomach did a flip-flop as Suoh spread his massive wings and leapt through the roof opening and into the sky. He fisted his fingers into the ryu’s wild mane as they circled moving up higher with the rest of the ryus. Inari looked down as the world became smaller and smaller below him. It was amazing, the wind whipping his long silver hair about his face, the graceful flight of the ryus, the incredible view! Inari’s sight was blocked as they entered the clouds he could see nothing but white till they broke through in a burst of mist. Inari would never forget his first flight with Suoh, how when they broke through he gazed upon a sea of clouds painted all colors of the rainbow by the rising sun.

"It’s so beautiful."

Below him Suoh chuckled shaking Inari slightly. "You should have been a ryu or a fox with wings, but then that would make you a bat," said the ryu. "You’re the only god here that appreciated the view."

Inari looked over at his fellow gods they didn’t seemed moved at all by the beautiful of the view.

"This kind of sky makes me want to ride the winds and let it take me wherever it pleases," said Suoh. Inari could sense a kind of inner bliss with the ryu, he noted that some of the other ryus seemed to have that same look on their faces.

"You really enjoy this don’t you?" asked Inari.

"We all do as dragons, special when we go into battle."

"Why?"

"Because, it might be the last time we get to fly like this," said the ryu. "We’re not immortal like you Inari, we must be prepared to die."

Inari glanced at the other ryus flying in formation, Aresism and his mount in the lead. To die, what would it be like to die? He had never thought about it himself, special since he couldn’t be killed. Yet he almost felt that he was missing something because of it. You miss the trill of the challenge, you have nothing to lose whispered part of his mind. Yes, the ryus have a lot to lose and protect. Inari looked down at Suoh perhaps he too had something precious to protect now.

They opened a portal and slipped past the Meikai’s defenses without a hitch. Soon they were in position to strike. A white ryu and his rider were sent ahead, a perfect choice to scout ahead since the white ryus were the smallest and swiftest. They came back with grim faces.

"They’ve got catapults set up all along their lines. We could lose many ryus if we attack from the skies," said the god on the white’s back.

"Our plans haven’t changed," said Aresism.

"Aresism," snapped Inari. "You would risk so many on his battle, there must be a better course of action."

"You question me?!" barked back Aresism. "I’ve fought in countless battle, I’ve proven my skills, unlike you Inari,“ he hissed. Inari’s hands tightened in Suoh’s mane, his body gone rigid with rage at the insult. I’ve beaten you Aresism! How dare you be so cocky!

“And, Unlike you Inari,” continued Aresism,” I hold little love for ryus beyond what services they provided me! If my mount is killed this day I’ll find another!"

Below him Suoh hissed. "Wasteful. But, then again, war itself is wasteful," said the ryu.

"Do you think you could provide a better strategy ryu!" shouted Aresism.

"Yes, fight them on the ground, catapults won’t do them much good, unless they want to hit their own men."

"Your method would take forever! If we attack full force from the sky now, this battle will be over quickly."

"I favor the longer fight if in the end more of us are around to celebrate it," said Suoh in a calm voice. "Inari undo the straps holding you in."

"Why?" asked the fox god in confusion.

"Inari are you know taking orders from your mount?" laughed Aresism.

Inari frowned. "Suoh, what are you planning?"

"A compromise," said the ryu. "I’ll show them a better way."

Inari undid the straps holding him: he would trust Suoh. The other gods and ryus looked on curiosity.

"Braces yourself," said Suoh before flipping over and dumping the surprised fox god off.

"Suoh!" shouted Inari in panic. He looked up and watched as Suoh was engulfed in black, his form growing smaller and smaller or was it just how far the distance between them had become? Much to Inari’s relief his ryu dove down and caught him by the shoulders with his clawed feet, now back in his more humanoid form. The silver fox god sighed loudly and would have thanks some powerful entity if he had been one.

"Did I scare you?" asked Suoh in a teasing voice.

Inari glared up at him.

Suoh flew back up to Aresism’s eye level. "If you insist on a sky attack, I suggest you have your mount transform to its smaller size so as to not make such a tempting target." Without another word Suoh drove down below the cloud cover. Inari blinked his silver eyes as the battlefield came into view. There was so many of the enemy!

flying over head Suoh blew a long line of dragon’s fire across the soldiers, aiming for the catapults and Calvary. Inari grabbed hold of one of the ryu’s feet as Suoh gracefully turned in the air to avoid flying objects hurled at them. Inari concentrated his powers and grinned in satisfaction as hundreds of shoots of bamboo shot out of the ground under a group of Calvary piercing them through.

Looking up Inari saw that several more ryus had descended from the clouds some in their larger ryu forms others in their more human shape. At least some of the gods weren’t too blinded by their pride to listen to reason. Perhaps it wasn’t their pride, but their lack of respect for life that prevented them from all going with Suoh’s idea. After all what did a god care about preserving life?

The ryus swooped down with their breath and gods bombarded the Meikai troops with a wide range of powers. Soon the Meikai’s ranks were in chaos and the hand to hand melee began.

Suoh swooped low and dropped Inari in a clear spot before landing on one soldier and ripping its throat out with his bare hands. Inari soon found himself slashing madly at the tide of Meikai demons. He was nearly over run by them when Suoh returned to his side and lessened the load for him. The two fought until they were covered in gore, never leaving each other’s sides. They joined forces with other gods and ryu’s fighting on the ground and soon they were mowing down demon’s left and right. The battle lasted for four hours, by that time many on their side had taken injuries and several ryus had been killed. The number was fair fewer then they could have hope for, but the ryus that came through alive mourned for them none-the-less.

Inari was rubbing at his cheek where he’d received a nasty slash, when Aresism came up to him on his batter and bleeding green ryu, the general they’d been looking for held in the ryu’s large mouth. The creature was quite ugly, with orange skin and wild messy hair. It was short, thick, and glared at them with hate filled eye.

"Well Inari, it was I that got our target, not you and your pet ryu," smirked Aresism. "While you and the others that decided to go by your ryu’s idea fought, me and the others easily got into their camp and captured our target. I think my plan worked out just fine."

Inari eyed the poor ryu that Aresism rode. Although, the beast didn’t complain it was obvious it had taken savvier damaged in battle, while Aresism didn’t have a scratch. It might be that the God of War was that good of a fighter or that he didn’t get within range of the enemies’ weapons from his safe perch.

"Yes, You did get that one," said Inari looking away. "Perhaps we shall get the next," he said glancing back at the war god with narrowed silver eyes.

Aresism smirked and turned his mount around to leave.

"Arrogant," said Suoh next to him.

"Yes, he is. At least we’ve seceded against the Meikai. That’s one less demon god to deal with."

Suoh nodded his head.

* * * * * * * * * *
With a sigh Inari sat down on his golden tail and put Hiei down beside him.

"We’re lost," said Yusuke crossing his arms.

"It’s a dragon’s den, it’s suppose to be difficult to find," said Inari in annoyance. "Most that don’t know the way can get lost in them for months."

"Months!" squeaked Kuwabara.

"Don’t worry, I’ll remember the way, to confess I’m finding it hard to concentrate on the task at hand with what’s been happening. Once I’m given some time to think about the correct path, I’ll be able to lead right to it."

With a sigh Kuwabara set Kurama down next to Hiei and sat down himself. "I hope Kurama’s okay, he’s never been out for his long. It’s been hours."

"He’s seems just fine, like he’s sleeping," said Botan looking down at the red head. "I wonder what he’s dreaming about?"

"Probably more stuff about that Silver fox god and Suoh Ryu," said Yusuke fanning his mouth as he yawned.
"What?" said Inari turning to look at him. "He dreams of a silver fox god and Suoh?"

Yusuke nodded his head. "It started happening shortly after Hiei was kidnapped. Kurama just passes out like that," he said gesturing at the red head. "And he has all these crazy visions of Suoh and a silver fox god also called Inari. Hey," said Yusuke sitting up from leaning against the side of the tunnel. "You won’t happen to know anything about this silver fox god would you?"

Briefly they saw anger, grief, and pain flash in the gold fox god’s eyes. "Yes, I know of him. He was the god of foxes and harvest before me."

"Then maybe you can help us understand just why Kurama keeps seeing them in his dreams," said Kuwabara getting excited by the idea.

Inari sighed. "I would prefer not to talk about him."

"Why not?" asked Botan.

"It’s personal," said Inari.

There was a long pause of silence.

"Can you at least tell us what happened to him?" asked Yusuke.

"He died," said Inari with a distant look in his eyes. "He killed himself out of grief for the lose of his lover."

TBC