Of Gold and Adamant

The Attack

Our enemy stands before us
We will be victorious
No one will get past
Every man will die to the last
My men will fight to the death
As our attackers take their last breath
Through night and morning sun
This war will be won

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The humans who came at the demon army were numerous, but in no way able to defeat the magic powers of the Inu army.

Shippo led the charge while Choukichi pulled up the rear flanks as they decided to have a little fun with the humans so they fought them on their level not bothering to use their demonic abilities until the end.

The Huns pushed forward believing they had the advantage until they realized that no matter how many times they stabbed their foes they would not die. Some tried to run, but at that Shippo pulled out his bow and arrows. He picked them off one by one.

The archers also were sending a hail storm of arrows down at the enemy. It was indeed a massacre with human bodies littered everywhere.

Shippo chopped at those who got too close to him with his sais and disarmed many a foe. It wasn’t until the Huns had a handful of men left that Shippo stopped for a moment.

“Look at them cower. Pathetic.”

Shippo stated in disgust.

“Can you blame them? Humans cling to life remember?”

Choukichi stated with a frown.

“We cannot let them live. If they live they will attack us again. We will make an example of these few. Have our men make stakes. I want the heads of these vile creatures so we may make a display. Then we shall see if they dare come to attack our human villages again.”

Shippo looked at the humans and then nodded to his men as they took up the gruesome task of beheading each one of the 20 men left. There would be no prisoners and thus no shame upon the defeated foes. It would be more merciful then living with their failure.

Using his fox fire Shippo sent out waves to burn the bodies.

“What about their burial?”

Choukichi stated.

“Our troops will dig a mass grave. I have no concern over it. They know what must be done.”

Shippo stated nonchalantly.

“You know you are becoming a cold bastard Shippo.”

Choukichi ground out as he walked away.

“Indeed I have to be Choukichi…..you will never understand because you will never be in my position.”

Shippo softly said to himself.

It was hard to explain to Choukichi what it was like to be a Lord and that Shippo had to amass his own kingdom someday. He was the last of his Father’s children and thus had the responsibility of following in his Father’s footsteps which meant being much like Lord Sesshoumaru. His Father was the Lord of the South before he died. He was the eldest of three brothers and had also been considered rather cold at times due to his duty to his lands and people.

Shippo in being raised by Sesshoumaru would be much like him. His Father died when he was so very young and Inuyasha was indeed too young to play the Father role with Shippo although he tried.

Sesshoumaru indeed was built to be a Father and was to Shippo the man he looked up to the most. If he could be as powerful as Lord Sesshoumaru thought then he could be the next in line to take over where Uncle Lin left off. Even Uncle Lin mentioned this when he stayed with him. He was an heir to a great dynasty of fox demons who would look to him for advice. He did not have time to play pitiful games or show too much mercy to an enemy when he saw what could happen when Naraku was around.

Shippo walked back to camp and saw that Choukichi was still sulking at him

“You have changed into him.”

Choukichi accused.

“Into whom?”

Shippo stated impatiently. He had no tolerance for guessing games.

“Into the Ice Prince. The Inu No Tashio, Lord Sesshoumaru.”

Shippo smirked.

“He would not smile as much as I do or play as many tricks.”

Choukichi growled.

“But you don’t play tricks anymore. You just slaughter your enemy as if you have a vendetta.”

Shippo regarded that statement for a moment.

“Perhaps that is because I do indeed have a vendetta. I will not have our enemy become strong. I will not have another Naraku or Thunder Brothers running amuck to destroy more families. Do you really think these humans are any different than the vile beings we destroy that do have powers? What makes them so damn special that they deserve our mercy?”

Choukichi got up and looked Shippo in the eyes.

“They are mortal weaklings you toy with. They have no way of fighting us fairly. We always slaughter them. You should be more merciful.”

Shippo roared.

“I have been! I gave them mercy by destroying them quickly and by killing them off they will not have to live with their failure! I am merciful! Do not discount what I have done for them Choukichi! I have been more than fair in my dealings with these……human filth.”

Choukichi fired back at Shippo.

“I think you forget that you used to care about humans………”

Shippo lost it.

“I DO! JUST NOT THESE BASTARDS!”

Shippo grabbed Choukichi’s arm and brought him to the village that had been laid to waste by the Huns. It was still burning.

“There, you tell them to show mercy……. You tell those fuckers to not slaughter women and children! To not rape and pillage then burn the only homes that these people had! Where was their mercy Choukichi?”

At that Shippo stormed back to the camp. Choukichi frowned. He understood, but it still felt so wrong the way they would completely annihilate whole armies without ever taking prisoners. Unless women and children were involved there was little left after any battle. Shippo allowed the women and children to be taken care of, but also banished many of them from the lands stating that the little ones most likely would grow to hate them. Most of these people were sent to a land called Korea and others to parts of China.

Shippo and Sesshoumaru both wanted the stronger males to live in Japan. Taller, stronger, and much more adaptive creatures remained.

Captured beautiful women were kept for men’s pleasure or to marry off to the soldiers. Even some of the more attractive boys were sold off to Japanese houses of entertainment. It mattered not if they were human, hanyou, or demon. If one was beautiful to the Lords of the land they were coveted many times against their will and forced to become servants living in harems of sorts.

Lord Sesshoumaru once had quite the harem of beautiful concubines, both male and female. However, after he mated these were given over to Shippo and Choukichi. Sven was a part of this harem of Shippo’s.

“Fine you are merciful, but you still could have let them think they were winning for a bit longer.”

Choukichi stated feeling rather put out. Shippo put a hand on his cousin’s shoulder.

“Do you really think me a monster Choukichi?”

Choukichi snorted.

“Yes….except you are more of an anal bastard then I recall. I remember when you used to melt into me. Now you hardly give me the time of day.”

Shippo chuckled.

“You will never get over that. If you wish to know I still believe you to be attractive. I just am not going to take you on as my mate.”

Choukichi sighed.

“You could give up this Lord crap and be mine.”

Shippo shook his head no.

“So you really are going to take Sven….”

Choukichi stated heartbroken.

“Yes. He and Fuu if your Father approves. I doubt he would not. I belong with him Choukichi. As much as I adore Fuu, I won’t love her. Not like she wants me to. I will gain my heir and then she will find another.’
“Why don’t you find yourself a mate?”

Choukichi chuckled and yawned.

“Father already set me up with someone. I am to mate Lalune, my sister next fall since we had a falling out with Lord Ken. I shall do the same as you and then we shall see what happens.”

“Well don’t look to me cousin. I am not going to the dark side with you.”

Choukichi smirked a bit.

“I did not expect that you would.”

At that the two men left to have their meals and rest for the night since tomorrow was going to be another long day.