Chronicles of the West

Chapter Twelve

Ryu sat on the battlement, his arm resting on his bent knee. He felt like a complete ass, and thought this was perhaps he was. Decades had passed by and he'd never let any female close to him. Females were to be enjoyed certainly but they weren't a part of daily life. Or so he'd thought.

Now he found himself thinking of a stubborn to her very soul woman and wanting her badly. The one female who's feelings he cared about, was the one he'd hurt. Unwittingly, but he had. Silvana hadn't spoken a word to he or Toga in nearly a week. He supposed that there were some perks to that. Toga could sleep with her if she didn't talk to him. Small victory that.

He'd not controlled his temper and let his tongue run away with him. He'd called her a whore, a pawn, a thing of use. Toga at least had defended her for the slights. His angry words were meant to snap his smug brother into the here and now, he'd not ever intended Silvana to hear them.

With a sigh he stared out across the forest. She was patrolling now, as she had been. She'd announced to Kurama that she was more than capable of taking care of her lands. Tomorrow she'd be leaving to the lake that housed the mud turtle demon. Toga had offered to go with her, but she'd glared him into silence.

Ryu had decided to take matters into his own hands and follow her. Kurama had told him that might not be a wise course of action but had let it alone. He'd never seen Ryu carry on so over a female. Could it be that the hanyou was smitten? He'd not held back when he told Ryu that Silvana had soothed Toga's heat, keeping the mortal woman safe. He also let Ryu know that he himself had been in her arms.

Silvana was full demon, and there was nothing wrong with these things. She was unmated, unmarked and her considerable strength had been a liability waiting to be exploited. Ryu found the thought hard to stomach, his sibling had saved her by stealing her innocence… and walking away.

She was brave and clever, and had made many sacrifices for others. In his homeland, she would have been looked down upon. It was not so in these parts apparently. Kurama had pointed out that Ryu was no innocent himself, having bedded a fair number of women. His only response was that they'd not come to him innocent. Would he honestly have turned them away if they had? He didn't want to explore that answer, hoping that he would.

Silvana said not a word as she strapped her blades in place and left the walls at dawn. Toga watched her go with saddened eyes. He'd not wanted her to hurt this way and he knew it was no one's fault but his own.. And Ryu's. Looking around he noted his brother's absence, "Kurama where the hell has that sorry excuse of a thief gone?" he demanded. Kurama chuckled, and pointed, "After her. Ryu can be quite protective"

Toga stared across the distance, a slight frown on his face. Finally he turned to Kurama, "She's not a toy for Ryu" he said bluntly. The silver kitsune eyed him shrewdly, "I suspect he know that better than most". Toga grunted in response and turned away, striding inside. This entire endeavor could very well rest on what answers she found. Her success was imperative and once she returned he'd do all he could to make it up to her.

-----------------------------~
Taisha paced, a clear sign of her growing restlessness. How long did Toga intend to stay away? Haru eyed her friend and mistress carefully. She had news that Taisha would have little liking for. "My lady?" she called softly, the dog princess' golden eyes snapping to her. "I have word from your father".

Taisha turned to face the bear woman, "Hopefully it says that Toga is coming home, or perhaps Ryu is coming" she said. Haru shook her head, "There is company Lady Taisha. They are departing the west in two days time to move here". From the tone of her companion's voice Taisha had little care to hear more. "Who?" she asked.

Haru lifted her chin slightly, "Madu" she whispered. Taisha's response was immediate. "What the hell does he want?" she demanded, speaking of the first born of Koga and Ayame of the eastern wolves. Haru smiled, "He seeks you" she reminded the pretty dog. Taisha snorted, "As if I want some simpering fool like that".

Haru sighed, it never ended. "He is a fine warrior". Taisha nodded, "Of course he is. And he's very handsome, and kind and brave and all the other good things to be. He's proper, so very ,very proper". This was why Madu held little interest for her. Now she'd have to put up with for at least a week. She mentally went over her patrol schedules, maybe she could avoid him.

Haru clucked her tongue, "I never thought I would see the day when one of the dog prince's children would fear a wolf". Taisha glared at her, "Watch your tongue. I fear no one". Haru laughed lightly, "And you weren't considering all the things that might keep you from entertaining your guest?". Taisha sniffed and left the room. She had no time for fawning wolves or prying bears.

------------------------------~

Aislin listened to Shippo tell stories of his childhood. She shivered when he told her of the dark hanyou Naraku who had caused the suffering of so many. So, these were the legends that made up Toga's family. She listened as she heard the tale of Inuyasha and his human wife Kagome. A woman who had come from the future and now lived in the past, waiting for ages to bring back those things familiar to her.

She cried for the lonely slayer who had fought and lost so many dear to her, and laughed at her constant struggles with the monk. She had been glad to hear that her story had a happy ending and that she'd lived long years. She asked Shippo countless questions and the kitsune was patient with every one.

When told of Toga's father and his perceived hatred for humans she frowned. Then she learned the reasons why he professed the feeling and her heart ached for the man she didn't know. She ached for his mother and the many years that they had lost to foolish pride. Yet all had turned out well in the end. Toga was proof of that, and Ryu too.

She had asked Shippo what the quest was for and he'd not told her. That was for Toga to do. This girl while growing closer to him was not his concern. She was Toga's ward and while the decisions of the stronger demon were shrouded in mystery, he'd not question it yet. He'd seen the way Toga looked at her. He'd seen that look often. Sesshoumaru carried it when he gazed at Ayeka and Inuyasha stared at Kagome that way. As if they might fight the air itself if it brushed them the wrong way.

Where would this twisting road lead them he wondered. He wondered how Ryu was faring against the white vixen. Kurama had told him all that had happened and all that had been said. He'd not been pleased. In his mind the two inu's had acted shamefully and it surprised him. Toga had always been deferential to females unless they were opponents and Ryu just adored them. Some more than others and not always in wholesome ways. But still. Kurama had increased their shame by mentioning Ayeka and now Shippo could only hope that they sorted it all out soon. He had no desire to take on such a journey in their current state.

-----------------------------~

Silvana knew he was following her, he'd barely masked his scent and she assumed that was to prevent her from attacking him as an enemy. He stayed out of her immediate vision and merely irked her with his very being. She grunted in irritation and leapt into the treetops. She would reach the lake by midday tomorrow. She knew nearly nothing of the turtle that she sought.

He was rarely seen and didn't socialize. Some said he had gone mad from the centuries alone. Great she mused, just what she needed. Another huffy male to deal with. She'd kept a good pace all day and had found a small spring to camp near as the sun began to set.

She'd scouted the area, sensing only the hanyou in her general area. She settled herself against a fat tree in the upper branches and let herself relax. Reaching into a small satchel at her side, she drew out her meager supper and ate it quietly. Her thoughts in turmoil and her heart heavy.

She'd not ever really cared what others thought of her, granted she'd not known the opinion was so disparaging. In the end, she decided that she could not please everyone and settled for pleasing herself. She knew the reasons why she'd done what she'd done and she neither regretted nor second guessed them. To hell with everyone else's idea of what she should do.

She half hoped the hanyou would enter her little camp. That he'd piss her off so she could make him bleed. That he would force the issue and clear the air between them. He obviously had not intentions of doing so however, and was probably only following her to make certain she carried out this mission. He must really despise her.

Ryu watched from a respectful distance. Her sad gaze made him feel lower than a snake's belly. He wanted to go to her, talk to her, try to make it right. He just didn't know how, and he was sure that she'd sooner skewer him than look at him. Not that he could blame her. "She must really hate me" he muttered.