The Horn and the Fang

This is my first story so be gentle. Let me know what you think of it and if I should keep going.

Small Warning: The is AU, so don't moan if anyone is out of character. I do the best I can, ok?


Disclaimers: I do not own Inuyasha nor any other character from the show... *crys*


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Chapter One - A New Pet?
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"Did you hear?? We're getting a new pet demon!!"

Opal nearly dropped her comb as she spun around in her seat, her long red hair fanning out behind her, "Are you sure? This isn't another one of your jokes, is it Pearl?" Narrowing her violet eyes, she glared at her baby sister.

Standing in the doorway, Pearl bounced on the balls of her feet, her twin, blonde pigtails flying around her head, bright, blue eyes wide and excited "No, I'm not joking."

"You better not be." came a low growl. Stepping threw the curtains from the balcony, Emerald gave her sister the same glare. Brushing a strand of her short, raven black hair out of her gray eyes, she added, "Remember last time...."

Pearl pouted, finally standing still, "I swear it's the truth! I heard father talking to a messenger from the South. Sir Darkwood's men just returned from raiding the Western Island. They're sending it north. It'll be here tomorrow." Letting out a squeal, Pearl spun around in a circle before giggling, "I wonder what it'll be? I hope it's little and fluffy."

"I hope it's tall and handsome." sighed Opal, smiling to herself.

"Well... I hope it's big and strong. I could use a new sparring partner." grunted Emerald.

"I see Pearl has let the cat out of the bag." Standing in the doorway behind his daughter, Lord Talon chuckled, his mirth showing in his sea green eyes. Wincing slightly, his smile never wavered, as he was bombarded with questions by his girls.

"When is it getting here?" "What's it look like?" "Is it cute?" "How old is it?" "Is it big or little?" "Is it a boy or girl?" "What type is it?"

"Can I have it?" asked Opal.

"No, it's mine this time!" cried Pearl.

"I get this one!" snarled Emerald.

Lord Talon waited as his daughters shouted back and forth at each other. He had learned long ago that only a fool tried to interrupt one of their arguments. Only when violence threatened to break out did he dare shout. "None Of You Can Have Him!!"

A long moment of silence followed, then ...... "WHAT???" they shouted in unison.

"Father, why not??" sniffled Pearl, her eyes filling with tears.

"But I need a new demon!!" called out Emerald, frowning

"It's a boy?!?! Oh Father, please!!!" Opal, smiling sweetly.

"No!!" He shouted, silencing the three sisters. They turned their eyes to the floor, knowing they had gotten him angry. Taking a deep breath, Lord Talon added, "I'm giving him to Amber."

"AMBER????" All three shouted, their heads snapping up, three identical looks of shock on their faces.

"But Father..." Emerald voiced what they all knew, ".... Amber hates demons!"


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Heaven. That's what this was. How could it be anything else? The wind playing with her mane and tail. The sun warming her back. The air full of the scent of flowers. The earth hard and solid under her feet. With no one but the birds and rabbits to keep her company. This was paradise!!

Cresting the hill, Amber slowed to a halt. Her sides heaving, she smiled inwardly. There was nothing better then a hard run threw the countryside. Tossing her head, Amber sighed, loving the feel of her golden mane slapping against her neck. Pawing the ground, she snorted. "How can they stay inside all the time?" she asked herself, "Why do they insist on sitting around in the form of humans when they could be here, running free? As we were meant to be?"

So many of her people, the Unicorns, had taken to disguising themselves as humans. It had been an important survival tool ages ago when they had been under attack from the Dragon Lords of the North. A unicorn in it's true form out in public was just asking to be slaughtered. But now, after the truce with the Dragons, why did so many still wish to look like humans? Habit perhaps? Convenience?

Amber shook her head again, "Why dwell on what can't be helped?" She herself had excepted taking human form long ago, but that didn't stop her loving the joy and freedom found only in her true form.

The breeze kicked up, bringing with it the hint of summer rain and... Amber froze, her head held high. Her nostrils quivered as she caught the scent again. A demon? She sniffed again, this time catching the scent of humans and other unicorns as well. A captive then, being brought to her father's castle. Amber sneezed, "Another filthy demon to stink up our home." The scent was getting stronger, they were coming towards her along the road below the hill. She would have gone home, to complain to her father about bringing another into the castle, but something stopped her. This one smelled different. What was it? She was familiar with the smell of several demons. At one time or another fox, cat, bear and even wolf demons had lived under her family's roof, but this smelled like neither.

She remained still, curious for the first time in a long while as to what type of demon the raiders had brought back from the Western Island. She waited a top the hill, watching the road below.

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to be continued........


..... that is if anyone likes it. Tell me what you think, please!!