The Meikai War

Hi B here. Sorry for the delay. I went on vacation to Belize! Great time, beautiful country, just watch out for the $35 per person departure tax they slap on you when you try and leave.
Anyway so close to finishing this puppy! Only one maybe two chapters to go I promise.
As alway comment are welcome both good and bad, just explain your reasoning. Also if anyone wants to beta this monster I'm be your slave for life. I'd like to get my site back going some day (working on motivation, but I'm lazy..) and would like to have cleaned up copies when if ever that should happen.
I decided to change the summary since more then one person made that suggestion. It was a little unclear as to whether it was a story about the team or someone else. And, I'm not too found of mary sue fics.
Anyway Enjoy.
ja ne
b-chan

Chapter 21

“You’re killing him! Stop!”

The silver Inari stopped in mid swing of his sword, head whipping around to see his golden son holding his mate. Blood glistened wetly on the dark ryu’s skin, staining the white of his thighs and belly red. His robes clung in different spots, the fabric stained red as well. Suoh lay limp in Kogare’s arms, but meet his silver glaze with this own ruby red without wavering.

“Suoh,” he gasped turning towards the pair only to jerk to a stop as the ghost slayer sword thrust through his back and came out the other side. Inari choked, blood spilling over the corners of his mouth and down his chin, foolish of him to turn his back to his opponent. Foolish… but Suoh… He still held the ryu’s eyes with his own. It seemed a million life times since he’d seen those eyes and yet only yesterday at the same time… his thoughts were cut short by the blade in him being withdrawn.

Laughing Korin jerked the blade free, watching the silver fox god fall to one knee crimson blood flowing freely. “Pay attention, you’re not the only one I’m carving up right now stupid fox!” he shouted, thrusting his sword forward again.

Inari turned on his knees slapping the blade wide with one of his twin sword. He raised up the other intending on a killing blow, but lifting his other arm caused mind numbing pain to run through his entire person and his second strike fell well short, slicing a insignifact scratch across Korin’s cheek.

Dizziness hit and he clasped in a tangle of hair and limbs, his eyes rolled falling once again upon his Suoh, ruby eyes still locked on him. It seemed strange to notice the new tinny scratch across Suoh’s cheek, but the sight of it made his blood run cold. Snapping his eyes back to Korin he watched as the white tiger lifted a hand and wiped the blood away only to reveal the skin underneath was smooth and unmarked.

“Bastard,” said Inari pushing himself back up to his feet. He cursed internally as the wound in his chest throbbed, his blood pouring out. This mortal shell couldn’t take much more damaged. And if he died…. His eyes landed on the forgotten hybrid laid out cold on the floor near the wall his memories stirred at the sight of pale skin and flame like locks of hair. His eyes turned to regard Suoh once more, those eyes were resolved.

“I choose life… Inari,” said Suoh voice seeming to carrier though the room. “And, this,” said the ryu holding up his hand and touching the metal band around his neck. “This is not life… I’m only alive if I’m with you!”

Pain gripped Inari, not just from the wound, but from Suoh’s words. He’d asked the dragon to live, to always choose life, but to ask him to…

“No!”

“Inari,” called Suoh trying to sit up in Kogare’s grip, but failing.

“No, I will see ‘you’ free.”

Korin’s laugh pulled him back to the advancing tiger demon. “See Suoh free?” laughed Korin. “I’m sure by now you realized the bond we share. His flesh is mine, my pain is his. You’re attempts are only causing him to suffer.”

“Inari,” called Suoh from behind, it took all of Inari’s will not to turn and look upon his ryu. “Do it. Make the final cut, finish it.”

“No!” cried out Inari. “I can’t watch you die!”

“It will not be an ending, love,” said Suoh. “I am yours no matter who or what I am.”

“No!” shouted Inari shaking his head. “Do not ask that of me, please!”

Next to Suoh Kogare’s head turned from one parent to the other, emotions warring across his golden features. The mother he loved dear was a bloody mess in his arms, and the father he could not forgive stood before his mother’s tormentor only aiding the demon in making his mother suffer.

“No, mother,” whispered Kogare hugging him close. “I will make the pain stop. I will be the one to set you free.”

“Kogare?” questioned Suoh as the golden fox moved to lay him on the floor and stood with his single blade in hand. In a flash he was by the silver Inari’s side.

“Kogare?” questioned Inari, ready to hold his son back if need be. The pup might find it noble to grant Suoh’s request, but he would not allow it.

“Do not call me that,” hissed Kogare barring his teeth at his silver father. “I’m am Inari now or have you forgotten. You gave it up and left me to take your place! I have not forgotten father! Suoh was my mother I loved him more than you ever could! I love him enough to tell him without hesitation.” The silver fox watched his son pant in rage visible trying to calm himself. The golden fox snapped his eyes forward to Korin, taking a deep breath. “I love him enough to swallow my hatred and pain and show you the way.” The golden fox turned from his father’s confused expression to regard Korin. “Where is the golden seal?”

Korin’s triumphed smirk was wiped from his face by the golden Inari’s question.

“The seal?” question the silver Inari, getting over his shock.

“Yes, the seal. He’s using it to take over Emma’s position. With that seal, we can disrupt that process. With that seal we can cancel the curse he’s placed on Suoh. With that seal, Suoh is free.”

A smile lit the silver Inari’s face. “How cleaver you are, my son,” praised the silver fox god, turning back towards Korin. Kogare’s mouth tightened unsure of how to take the complement. His father had never praised him before. His father had abandoned him! Swallowing his bitter feelings he advanced towards the tiger demon. Now was not the time to bring up old wounds.

“I’ll take his left, you his right,” said the silver fox god.

The golden Inari nodded. Both fox gods charged as one.

• * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Damn it,” cursed Yusuke dodging to the side as Yoko’s ribbon sailed through the air, drawing a thin line of blood across the bridge of his nose. That was too close!

“Yusuke!” called Kuwabara taking a step forward, intending to help.

Yoko snarled and rising up a hand, flames sprang up before the carrot top.

“Wha!” cried Kuwabara failing his arm, now covered in red flames. “I’m on fire!” he shouted slapping at his sleeve with his other hand. The commotion reached Kaoru, snapping the dragon out of his fear induced stupor. Seeing the human’s predicament he coiled and leap on him, taking him to the ground to smother the flames against his fire proof hid.

Yoko smirk, but it was short lived. The effort it took to make the simple wall of fire was obvious as she panted for air. “Just you and me,” she gasped limbs trembling as she tried to pull herself up straight. “Or are you not man enough to face me by yourself?”

Yusuke frowned, taking in her obviously weaken state. “Why are you doing this?” he questioned. “What do you get out of it?” To his side Kaoru gathered the now extinguished Kuwabara and jumped over the fire wall. “Papa ryu?” questioned the dragon moving forward to help; after all, his papa ryu was not fire proof in this form. A raised hand in his direction stilled his movement. “Papa ryu?” he questioned, but was cut off before he could ask any questions by the smoldering human.

“You little- chicken chasing- coughed up hair ball!” growled Kuwabara rolling up his singed sleeve and forming his reiken. “Nobody lights me on fire without-!”

“Kuwabara!” shouted Yusuke cutting him off. “Back down.”

“What?!” fumed the carrot top. “I didn’t come all this way to watch ‘you’ fight!” growled the human teen.

Yusuke smiled at him. “Sorry buddy. This is now a man’s fight: One-on-one.”

Kuwabara grumbled, but relented, releasing his reiken. “Oh, all right, but I get the main boss if you’re going to be this way.”

Yusuke gave a short laugh. “We’ll see, if you can handle a main boss that is,” he said turning his gaze back to the red fire fox, ignoring the cursing being tossed his way by the fuming red head. “Answer me. What do you get at of all of this?”

Yoko’s smirk returned seeing her taunting had given her better odds. Male pride, ha! “What do I get? I get everything!” she laughed. “Wealth, power, riches! The love of the most powerful being in all the three lands; I get heaven as my personal palace, the human world as my playground, and the demon world gets to kissing my feet and fight for my favors.” She tossed her head back and laughed hard at that.

“You’re delusional...” said Yusuke glancing over at Korin, who had retreating a few steps from that advancing pair of foxes. The tiger demon’s purples eye never glanced their way; instead they regarded Suoh as if judging the amount of damaged the small black ryu was now sporting. “His mate… you’re the last thing on his mind right now.”

“Shut up!” snarled Yoko. “What would you know? Me and Korin have an… understanding.”

“Understanding,” said Yuske in disbelief. “Here you are, hurt and exhausted, ready to face a fresh opponent and he doesn’t even have time to glance your way. Do you think that’s love!”

“Shut up!” She glanced the tiger demon’s way, worry showing on her features as she watched the two foxes moving to corner him. “Shut up and fight!” she snarled back on him, suddenly in a hurry to finish him off.

Yusuke regarded her sadly. He knew nothing he said would show her what was so painfully obvious to anyone else.

“Don’t you look at me like that!” hissed Yoko coiling her arm to slash the ribbon Yusuke’s way.

• * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Kaoru!”

Suoh watched the great fire serpent tear through the Meikai Demonic horde, gobbling demons by the mouth full; and oh what a large, jagged, flame covered mouth it was.

“Mindless beast!” roared Yakumo. “I’m not afraid of you! You’re nothing, nothing. You’ll be founder for the ultimate weapon I will construct tonight.” The demon lord laughed in a slightly crazed manner, eyes locked on the looping serpent body coiling through the air.

“There is nothing to fear, you are all dead, fools!” Yakumo raised his hands high over his head and light began to gather between them.

“What?! What’s going on?! What happened to Kaoru?!” shouted Kogare standing at Huma’s side. His fingertips were singed down to bone from touching the energy barrier. The damage would have been much worse if Huma hadn’t bodily pulled the young pup away from the energy wall when Suoh sealed the fire site.

Right now the barrier was waving like a towel being shook out. It wouldn’t be long before the other site holders gave out; it was a miracle they’d held this long. Inside the barrier was pure chaos: bolts of energy crashed down on the demon masses, the fluctuation of the barrier wall killed anything it touched inside the field and the enraged fire dragon looped in the middle of it all burning and devouring anything in its path.

“Answer me!” shouted Kogare kicking the human in the shin. Huma gasped and hobble over to sit on a rock. He reached down to rub the spot, eyeballing the young god in a un-trust worthy fashion.

“Sorry, Kogare, but anything that goes into the field can’t come out till the barrier is released. Your mother ryu is trapped and if Rouin finds the way in for his element he too will be trapped. As for Kaoru….” He paused to look at the screaming beast of flames. Lower his gazed he closed his eyes and shook his head. “I’m sorry Kogare. His consciousness is gone… that’s not your little brother any more, just a mindless power keg of fire.”

“No….NO! I wouldn’t except that, he’s not gone!” Shouted the young fox god. His shoulder shook with emotion, sniffling slightly while fighting back tears.

“Kogare…” said Huma reaching out to comfort the youth.

“No!” shouted Kogare slapping his hand away. “He’s not gone!” Turning tail Kogare ran back towards the waving barrier.

“Foolish pup!” shouted Huma hoping he could get a hold of the god before he hurt himself some more. His longer legs gave him an advantage and he was bending over intending to scoop the young fox up when he glanced up.

Huma stopped dead in his track, mouth dropping. “Heaven have mercy.”

Kogare crashed into the energy wall and was sent tumbling, the front of his chest raw, showing muscle through the skin. He curled in pain, looking through watery eyes at the scene behind the wall. His mother ryu was on his knee calling out for Kaoru. Kaoru rolled over a mass of demon, screaming as if in pain; the sound hurt his sensitive fox ears. And Yakumo…. Yakumo was stand out in the open with his arms spread and a ball of light was forming between his hands.

“What… what’s that,” uttered Kogare, his belly felt like it was sinking into his feet and every hair on his body wanted to stand on end at what he was sensing. Every instinct in his body was telling him to run and hide!

“Ya-Yakumo… that bastard. I never would have thought he’d sacrifice his own men to make such a thing,” uttered Huma in a daze slowly waking up to stand by Kogare’s prone form.

“What… what is it,” said Kogare moving up on his knees but remaining hunched over them.

“Life force energy,” said Huma arms slack at his side. “Everything that dies in there… maybe everything in the area outside as well…. All the energy he’s gathering it together.”

Huma sank down to his knees next to Kogare, despair on his face. “The Meikai… has won.”

That statement had Kogare turning on his heels to look at the Human, seeing the defeat on his features. “No,” said Kogare turning back towards the energy wall watching as Kaoru screamed and rear in the air. “No! Kaoru’s still alive. Mother ryu is still alive! Rouin is still alive! We haven’t lost!”

Kogare scrambled up to the surface of the barrier. “Kaoru! Wake up! It’s me, Kogare, your brother! You can’t sleep now! We need you! Mother ryu needs you, Rouin needs you! I need you Kaoru!”

• * * * * * * * * * * * *

Yakumo smiled at the massive amount of energy he held, it would not be long now. When that crazed ryu hatching was finally distinguished all that destructive force would be added to his power sphere. The fire serpent was not a nightmare, but a gift to add him in his victory. The stupid beast wasn’t even taking notice of him, no purpose or direction in his mindless fury. The more he killed the greater the War Lord’s power.

He smiled looking up at the sphere as it solidified into a transparent ball, swirls of color flashing over its surface. It was beautiful… With this he would be invincible. With this all remaining three worlds would be his to command. The loss of the Meikai was a small price, his men even less. With this even the gods would have to bow before him! With this he was the god of the gods! His mad cackle reverberated over the land.

His moment of pure joy was abruptly ended by a black ryu’s clawed feet plow driving into his spine. The sphere slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground he was sent tumbling across the broken terrain to come to a stop against a large bolder.

In the air the Kokoryu turned and regarded them, stopping its mindless rampage to look down upon the new being standing tall before the prone War Lord.

“Ro-Rouin!” shouted Suoh from his place kneeing on the ground.

Rouin favored the smaller ryu with a smile.

“Rouin, Kaoru- Kaoru- the fire stone- oh… Kaoru…” sobbed the petite black looking up at the fire dragon whose blazing eyes regarded them with something akin to intelligence.

Rouin turned to look up at the flame wroth beast his smile increasing. “My Son… you do make me proud,” he purred. The smile slipped, “but, you shouldn’t worry your mother ryu like this.”

The fire ryu hissed, coiling back to strike; it smashed into the ground where Rouin had been, digging a long trench into the soil and turned to scream at the now air borne ryu.

“Kaoru!” called Rouin in his sternest tone.

“Kaoru stop!” called Kogare through the barrier.

“Rouin you fool!” shouted Huma by the fox pup’s side. “That’s not your child anymore! You can’t reason with it! He swallowed the fire stone, he’ll burn himself out then there will be nothing left. Take Suoh and leave while you can! Yakumo’s gathering all the energy being dispelled; you won’t stand a chance against him!”

Laughing Yakumo stood back up. “He’s right you know,” said the smug the War Lord. “Your brat will be ash soon. If you wish to join him, I’ll be more than happy to oblige you.” He took a step forward, eyes going down to the transparent sphere sitting on the ground between them.

Rouin’s eyes calmly followed Yakumo’s gaze. “My Kaoru is no weakling, he’s still in here. I know it and I’m going to bring him back; no matter the cost!” He stepped forward towards the sphere. “You lead all your men here, knowing they’d die. You lead them here so you could turn them into energy for this!” growled the ryu standing over the glowing ball of power.

“Yes,” smiled Yakumo, not threatened by the ryu’s close proximity to the sphere. “I made that sphere, only I can use it. Maybe if you swear you allegiance to me, become my personal mount. I’ll use it to call your brat back to this plain. What do you say to that?”

“No Rouin, don’t!” shouted Huma from across the barrier. “It’s a lie!”

“Rouin,” uttered Suoh off to the side.

Rouin glanced over to Suoh and smiled for the ryu again. “Don’t worry Suoh, I’ll bring our baby back.” His brown eyes looked down at the sphere, his gaze lingered back to Kaoru, who was posed in the air ready to strike. “You think you’re the only one that can use this?” said Rouin kneeling down in front of the sphere. “Let’s find out!” he shouted snapping his hand down to wrap his finger around the sphere’s surface.

The scream that tore from Rouin’s mouth echoed across the land. Energy raced across the ryu’s scales to strike the ground soon covering him in a cloud of dust and debri.

“Foolish lizard!” said Yakumo smiling smugly. “Now into my hand the Power Sphere.” When no ball came forth Yakumo’s smile slipped. “What?! He growled as the dust cleared revealing Rouin: eyes blazing, hair spiked and on end, energy crackling along his frame. In his clawed hand he clutched the sphere and growled.

“Im-Impossible!” screamed Yakumo charging up power in his hands to toss at the black. The energy balls seemed to run off an invisible shield around the ryu and slammed into the ground. The black ryu turned eye light from within with power to the War Lord, Making Yakumo take a step back in fright.

“How! How can you be doing this, how!” raged the demon lord launching more power balls at the dragon.

Huma leaned in towards the barrier, eyes fixed the scene before him. “Kogare, is Rouin a being of the Meikai?” he questioned.

“What? Who cares right now, Rouin ryu’s going to kick that jerks tail!” shouted Kogare striking at the air with it fist.

“If he was born in the Meikai,” muttered Huma. “That would explain why he can touch the sphere. Most of the power in that sphere is of the Meikai, only a being of great power and will borne of that accursed land would have any chance of success in doing what he’s done.”

“Dragons….” Panted a voice behind him. “Dragons are born… of all three lands. They belong to too all… but no land… can lay claim to them.”

Huma and Kogare turned on their heels to see Inari leaning heavily on a stick of bamboo. Blood strained the front of his clothing, but what was really sickening to see was the half tore inners of the fox’s stomach showing through a mortal wound in his gut.

“Father,” uttered Kogare in shock.

The silver god managed a weak smile for his son, before groaning and tilling to the side. Huma raced forward and caught him before he hit the ground. “I do not envy your immortality at this moment, Inari-sama,” said Huma peering at the gaping wound.

“Never mind me,” said Inari coughing. “What about Suoh… I sense… ‘cough’… he’s near.”

Huma pulled Inari’s arm over his shoulder and dragged the silver fox over to the barrier. “I don’t know if things are going in our favor or not at this point,” said the human looking through the energy wall.

The sight that greeted Inari had him trying to pull away from Huma and attempt to pass through the wall.

“Don’t be a fool!” hissed Huma tightening his grip and yanking him away. “You know you can’t pass through here, you’re no better then you son!” growled the human, taking several steps away from the barrier dragging the fox god with him.

“Release me human!” roared Inari, struggling in his grip. “My flesh will regenerate in time. If I press in, I might make it.”

“Ahh,” growled Huma tossing Inari down to sit on a low boulder. “What good will that do any of us?! Even if you have the will to suffer through such an ordeal, you’ll be nothing but a useless pile of charred meat if you reach the other side!”

“Father!” called Kogare.

“I must try!” shouted Inari clawing at the Huma, who stubbornly pressed him back down.

“Father!” shouted Kogare, finally getting the attention of the two. “Do you feel that?” question the fox, ears swiveling on his head.

Inari calmed and turned his large ears forward.

“What?” asked Huma before the barrier erupted into all out chaos. The rough ripple that had been shaking it seemed nothing more than a gentle breeze compared to now. The barrier shrank and grew in uncontrolled spikes of power.

“Yokokaza… has fallen,” uttered Suoh glancing around the out of control barrier. Now only Ryuujin held the site of Spirit and when he lost it, who knew what the end results would be!

Suoh’s eyes snapped back to Rouin, he watched as the black ryu’s scales cracked from power over load. Rouin was going to be destroyed by the sheer amount of power he was trying to control.

“Suoh,” hissed Rouin turning to the smaller ryu. “Help me.”

Suoh didn’t hesitate, he was on his feet in a second; his talon hand touching Rouin’s shoulder a moment later. The power that raced through every cell in his body had him screaming and growling along with Rouin, his vision turned a shade of blood red.

“Suoh!” shouted Inari grabbing Huma’s front robe to pulling himself to his feet, nearly unbalancing the human with the move.

“When will you listen!” screamed Huma wrapping his arms around the other’s waist to hold him back. “It’s suicide!”

“No!” shouted Inari. “We can make! We can reach them now!”

“Father?” said Kogare eye turning from the struggling pair to the two ryu’s crying out in agony. He watched as the wall of energy jumped and fell before him. It sometimes lessened to a point he was sure he could have hopped over. His father’s words struck home, he waited and when the timing seemed right took off at a run.

“Kogare!” shouted Inari watching as the fox pup jumped over a low spike and landed safely on the other side of the barrier. Huma’s jaw hit the floor.

“See! Now move aside human!” raged Inari shoving the human back; however, without Huma’s support he went crashing to his knees, not realizing just how weaken he was.

“Crazy fox!” hissed Huma bending over to haul the fox god back to his feet. He dragged Inari over to the barrier.

“Why are you helping us?” question Inari, realizing Huma was intending to jump over to the other side with him in tow. It was a death sentence for a creature with such a weak body.

“I promised Sunoo I’d bring her nephews back and I’m a man of my word, yah!” shouted Huma coiling and leaping over the low tide, taking both him and Inari over before the spike could touch them.

Kogare stopped, not sure what to do. His head turned between Kogare and Suoh, not sure if he could help either of them.

He watched his father run in a limping manner towards Rouin and Suoh with the ad of Huma and decided Kaoru was in need of some help and he the only one there to give it.

“Kaoru! It’s me, Kogare, your brother! Snap out of it! Wake up, please!” he screamed at the long burning serpent. Eyes of flames turned toward the small golden fox, tilting its head in a curious manner.

“Kaoru?” smiled Kogare taken a step towards the fire serpent. Only to freeze when the giant snake open it mouth of many flame fangs and lunged at him!

“Kaoru!” screamed Kogare leaping to the side as the Kokoryu’s jaws snapped shut at the place he’d been but a moment before. Screaming the black fire dragon reared back to see where its prey had fled, hissing as it spotted the golden youko running away. The youko keep looking over its shoulder shouting something at it. Kaoru? What was Kaoru? Screaming the fire serpent gave chase.


“This better not kill me instantly,” growled Huma reaching out to take hold of Rouin’s other shoulder. Releasing him Inari hands touched Rouin’s back. He ignored the shriek of pain from Huma and the agony tearing through his own body. His eyes found and locked with Suoh’s energy lit ones. He smiled at the ryu, pulling on the energy that was so freely offered to him. He felt the hole in his gut close, the flesh grow back and attach itself in the proper place almost instantly.

“Use it!” shouted Inari over the roar of energy. “Use it before it burns us all out!”

“Easy for you to say, I’m getting fried here,” hissed Huma to his side. Letting go of Rouin’s shoulder with one hand, he pulled out several strips of paper with snake like ruins on them. “Byko, Shitsuru, I summon you!” he called tossing the two wards into the air. One burst into flames and reformed into a midnight black bull with flame wroth horned and tail. The other landed on the ground and froze the place it landed. The ice grew shaping into the rough image of a large cat; its mane a riot of icicles that continued down its spine.

The cat roared and charged forward at the War Lord. Yakumo jumped back, raising up an arm he shattered the cat when in moved to pounce on him. In doing so he left himself open for the bull which plowed into him with horns down. Yakumo was gored; one horn tore across his side, spilling blood on the ground.

Cursing Yakumo clutched the wound and leapt away, turning to meet the bull on its second pass. He let go of the wound to grab hold of the bull’s flame covered horns causing it to come to an abrupt stop. The bull snorted hot air into Yakumo’s face attempting to shake its head free of the demon lord’s hold. Yakumo stranded against it a moment before smiling and twisting the bull’s head sharply to the side. Its neck snapped with a sickening crunch and the bull snagged to the ground, turning to burning lumps of coal when it hit.

“Impressive human,” said Inari. “But let me show you a different sort of summoning.” Kneeling down Inari thrust his fist into the ground, almost instantly shoot of green grass began to spring up. Yakumo’s smug smile returned at such a summoning; that is, till a forest of razor sharp bamboos shoots sprang up under his feet. He twisted to avoid the majority of the shoots, but one shot through his foot and another pierced through his bicep.

Screaming in rage he whipped his free arm in a wide arch and the shoots were cut short. His anger increased as thorn covered vines sprang up to grasp at him. Giant Venus fly traps grew, their gapping maws open wide, snapping if he ventured too close to one.

“I won’t be so easily satisfied,” hissed Suoh releasing Rouin all together he simply blinked out of sight. Yakumo screamed as five deep bloody gashes appeared on his front. Suoh reappeared to his back only to disappear again, this time Yakumo’s leg was shredded and ryu appeared at his side. The ryu moved so fast he began to leave after images of his form striking the War Lord. It looked like three Suoh were ripping into Yakumo before the small black skidded to a stop off to the side. His nail stained red which he lapped at with his tongue.

“We can’t have you bleeding out just yet,” growled Suoh, lifting up a bloody hand to snap his fingers. Black fire sprang up, burning all Inari’s plants and covering Yakumo. The demon lord screamed in pain.

Suoh watched with cold eyes before slapping his hands together; the flames instantly snuffed out leaving Yakumo blackened, his wounds cauterized shut. Smoke drifting off his frame.

“You!” gasped Yakumo hunching over and making fists at his side. The skin of his hands broke open and bleed were he creased it. “You will pay dearly for this!” screamed the War Lord. The ground around him was torn asunder. Fountains of energy shot from his feet in all directions eating anything in their path.

Suoh leapt out of the way of one spike. Inari and Huma released Rouin to fee in different directions. Rouin, however, stood his ground and took the attack head on. Earth sprang up like dynamite had just blown; a giant wall of soil and debris washed over the tall ryu.

“Rouin!” cried Suoh, fearing the worst.

They heard the ryu before they saw him. A deep beastly growl that seemed to reverberate in the air a moment before a giant black ryu’s head in full dragon’s form rose out of the dust cloud. The dragon was beyond gigantic, easily matching the golden ryu in size. In one clawed front paw he held the power sphere, its size haven grown to match the ryu’s massive form.

Yakumo took a cautious step back and froze as Rouin ryu’s blazing brown eyes snapped over to lock on him. Rouin drew his head back, puffing up his chest only to let loose a volley of lightening bolts the likes of which no nature storm could produce.

When the ground was done sizzling Yakumo was revealed down on his back, almost unrecognizable from the damage. A wicket many toothed smile stretched over Rouin ryu’s maws at the sight.

Inari stepped over to lean down and feel for life in the Demon Lord. Scowling, he stepped back and touched the ground. Plants grew on the spot, wrapping Yakumo in a tight prison of vines.

“He’s still alive…” said Huma in disbelief before a wave of weakness washed over him and he wearily sank to the ground. “Uh… I feel,” uttered the human lifting a hand to look at his pale shaking fingers. He felt beyond tired, like he could lie down and sleep for a month. Letting out a deep sign, he blew a puff of air up and blinked when a strand of white hair fell down between his eyes. In a panic he ran his fingers though his hair tugging the long ponytail over his shoulder to see his once orange tinged hair now a snowy white.

“Gods… what happened?” he breathed in horror looking at the strands of hair.

“I am sorry,” said Inari moving to stand by him. “You just had more power than any mere mortal can physically contain run through your body and amazingly you survived using it.” There was no small amount of respect in Inari’s voice. “However, as you can see something like that does have its draw backs. You probably won’t live many years after this.”

Huma slumped at the news. “Wonderful and I’m only 26 years old.” He sighed again running a hand over his cheek. “At least I don’t have any wrinkles….” The news didn’t seem to please him any.

Inari favored the human with a weak smile and turned his attention to Suoh. His heart lifted seeing his ryu alive, in good health, and no more than a few steps away. They’d won… they’d won! They’d beaten the Meikai and Suoh was still alive. He didn’t think anything could ruin the moment of happiness he was feeling, but he was wrong.

“Human,” boomed Rouin’s deep voice, still a towering dragon radiating waved of pure power. The ryu snaked his long neck down to look the wide eyed human in the face. “Yakumo claimed he could bring back my son with this,” he growled lowering the glowing power sphere towards the human.

Huma yipped and scrambled away from the life sucking ball. If he only had a couple more years to live because of that sphere, there was no way he was getting any closer to it.

“Tell me how!” boomed Rouin, lifting his head back to see the kokoryu still circling the sky seeming to be hunting something down on the ground.

Huma glanced at the fire serpent and lowered his head, shaking it sadly. “I’m sorry Rouin, but that was a lie. You might be able to call Kaoru’s consciousness back, but his body…” he trailed off looking back at the flaming dragon that swooped down to scorch a large section of ground teeming with the remaining meikai demon horde. “His body is gone…”

The large black ryu snorted down an angry puff of hot air at the human; its tail lashes the ground in an agitated manner.

Suoh turned fearful eyes towards his fire baby, hands going up to cup his mouth. Inari was by his side in an instant, wrapping his arms around Suoh’s shoulders, offering what comfort he could. He knew the loose of Kaoru would forever hunt Suoh, he could already feel the joy of victory crumbling.

“No!” hissed Rouin shaking his head. The ryu clawed at the ground with one front paw, his nails scratched down the sphere in his other causing sharp screeching sounds. Huma shivered and clasp his hands over his ears. Rouin breathed heavily before slowly calming, his eyes following the looping snake like body.

“So… all we’re missing is a… body.” He turned his intense gaze back to the human who cowered under such a look.

“Well… yes,” answered Huma scouting away from the gigantic ryu. “In a manner of speaking, if you had a compatible body and if you could find Kaoru’s consciousness in that,” said Huma turning his head towards the angry fire serpent. He shook his head as if to rid himself of a bad thought. “But that’s a one in a million chance; he’s more likely to attach it you try to call him back! And where are you going to find a replacement body?! Not just any one will do! It has to be the same genetic composition or Kaoru’s likely to reject it.”

Rouin sighed and closed his eyes; coming to some kind of decision he nodded to himself and looked down at Suoh. “Suoh.”

Suoh broke his fixed stare at the kokoryu to glance up at Rouin, pained emotions warring over his face.

“Don’t cry Suoh, I said I would bring him back; no matter the cost.”

“Rouin?” question Suoh not daring to hope.

“Call to him Suoh. Make him remember who he is, call him home.” The giant dragon turned on its heels to face the looping kokoryu. “I will do the rest.” Lifting his head high Rouin began to cue to his son. A low soft, if dragon’s voice could ever be called soft, note that carried on the wind.

Suoh listened willing to try anything. Gathering his resolve Suoh joined Rouin in his call, using notes that had no meaning beyond the feeling behind them. A dragon’s song; a lullaby for young hatchlings who wondering too far. The meaning was clear even without words: Kaoru come back.

• * * * * * * * * * * * *


Kaoru…

A distance sound, it’s meaning unclear….

… Kaoru…

What did it mean? The blood on his tongue was the only meaning. It’s sweet rancid salty tang the only thing worth possessing, the only thing it craved.

…. Wake up… Kaoru….

There was still warm pumping blood below… like insects streaming by. Frighten weak blood, but blood none the less.

A flash of gold, his mouth watered.

Kaoru...

Snapping up bodies by the mouthful, squirming, squishy things. Bitter blood. Unsatisfying! Hunger! It gnawed at him! Him?

… Wake up… it’s… me!

Flash of gold once again, once again too slow. Frustration! He hungered for it! He? Yes, he hungered for the power of that blood, flesh! Flesh?

Your brother…. Kogare!

Screaming flesh, nosily flesh! Tasty flesh, oh it would taste sweet. Wouldn’t it? He would enjoy it, yes? Sweet flesh, blood. Blood like his, flesh different. He had no flesh! Jealousy!

Suoh…. Rouin… Need you…

More blood, more flesh, too much noise! Bite them! Use my teeth! I have no teeth, only flames. Confusion!

Kaoru!

Are you calling me?

Kaoru

Is that me?

I…. need you… Kaoru!

Is that my name?

Please come back…. Kaoru!

Hunger gnawed! Starving! The flash of gold would make it go away? The blood would be sweet, right? Not bitter. The blood would fill me up, make it stop, right? Hungry, so hungry.

A soft, oh so soft sound. So familiar, like the warmth of flesh, like before the heat before the fire.

Flash of black and white and red. Beautiful noise, sweet sound. It will taste sweet, right? Want to taste. Want to listen, just a moment longer. Pretty, pretty little thing. Familiar! The look, familiar!

Is that me? Is that Kaoru? Am I Kaoru? No. Not me, not Kaoru… Suoh.
The flash of gold, me? No, not I…. Kogare… brother. Kaoru’s brother, my brother.

“Kaoru.”

That voice! Power, power that would fill me up forever, never hungry again. That voice calling me…

“Kaoru!”

Brown eyes, strong… oh so strong. Admiration. Joy. Love.

“Kaoru.” He smiles, oh I’ve always loved when he smiled. His arms open, beckoning me into his embrace. I run, leap into his arms.

“Papa ryu!”

And then we are one and then… he is gone. Sadness…

• * * * * * * * * * * * *

Suoh sat on his heels crying the world for once seemed to hold its breath. Ryuujin had but, moment ago, released the elemental shield safely and all by himself. Not even the wind seemed to want to disrupt the peace that had fallen. In his arms he held the small form of his young Kaoru. The joy of the reunion tainted by the loss…

Watery eyes turned towards the transparent sphere sitting on the ground, more power then he could fathom. So much power and yet with all that power all Rouin could do was give Kaoru his flesh and die in his place… Not a soulless death… but, death none the less.

He ran his fingers through the hatchlings upswept hair, marveling over the likeness. There was no difference from his Kaoru. He was his and Rouin’s Kaoru. He had kept his word… at any cost.

“Rouin…Thank you.”

• * * * * * * * * * * * *

The war is over, but not the fight. What happens next will be forgotten by history and only told in the dreams of those that lived it. A dream of blood and gore; a nightmare in which you never wake because it has and will happen over and over again.

TBC