Of Gold and Adamant

Dear Readers,

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your reviews and votes.  Writing these stories is means so much more when you have a audience that appreciates what you are doing although I would keep writing even without the reviews and votes since I enjoy writing so much.  I have to say however, the feedback is what keeps me going.

Also to answer the question about the poems, yes they are all mine.  I write a poem for each chapter before I start writing the chapters.  I think I answered this in the reviews, but I had to remove all of my input from the review section since you are not allowed to review your own story.

I will continue writing as long as you keep reading.  Thank you.

Respectfully Yours,

M. E. Jones Vyper/Vyperbites

 

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Unwanted

 

This place is empty

There is no home

I find myself lost

Where to go from here

Do I want to stay?

Rejection at every turn

No one to say I love you

He left not long ago

I guess we are too different

Our fates are no longer one

We are two

Bound by the same path

But better off alone

This heart is hollow

I shall move on

 

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Amare felt a bit nervous in this place.  The palace was full of canine and other demons, but no cat demons anywhere.  It was like walking into a death trap, but he could not claim such unless there was proof that they were in danger and so far everyone had been kind to them although the whispers outside the doors did not sound very friendly.

 

Zesiro, Kehinde, Vakasa, Themba, and Adofo remained in their truest forms as they rested on the floor of the immense room.  Amare was the only one that had changed into his humanoid form and figured it was best just to allow his small pack to get their sleep since most likely they would have to move again and Amare was the strongest out of the group so he could stay awake for many hours without needing rest.  It was partially why he had been chosen to be the King of the Tiger demons before he lost everything to humans.  Amare was just surprised that he had any followers since their tribe was used to females leading them and in truth Amare had no real plans for a home for his tired companions.  Everything just happened so suddenly for them all.

 

Suddenly the doors opened and Amare saw this creature that had long silver hair with two dog ears on top of its head.  It was a charming creature to say the least, but it trembled in fear when it set its eyes upon him and his now awake companions.

 

The last thing Inuyasha thought he would see was cat demons in the castle of the Inu No Tashio especially since it was a cat demon that raped him.  Part of him wanted to run, but the other part of him was curious to why they were here.  Either way the tigers including the cub were huge and intimidating.  Not only that, but the male demon that stood before him was only wearing a rather tattered boar skinned loin cloth which barely covered his essentials.  It was almost indecent and Inuyasha did his best to try and avoid looking at the practically naked tiger.

 

Amare slowly bowed to the creature as to not frighten it.  It smelled of fear, a slight scent of human and vanilla spice.  This must be a hanyou, one of those creatures Lord Kouga spoke of.

 

“Do not be afraid.  We mean you no harm little one.”

 

Inuyasha didn’t quite trust this situation, but he was outnumbered so if they were going to harm him he figured they would have done so already.

 

“I wasn’t afraid.  I just don’t know ya.”

 

Amare smiled at the lie knowing that this creature was young and just wanted to seem unafraid.

 

“There is no shame in admitting fear.  We are as nervous as you since we are strangers in your land.  What is your name?  Mine is Amare.’

“My companions are Zesiro, Kehinde, Vakasa, Themba, and Adofo.”

 

Amare stated pointing them all out as Adofo leaned into Amare who gently pet the cub’s ears.

 

“I am Lady Inuyasha the wife of the Inu No Tashio Lord Sesshoumaru.  Why are you here?”

 

Amare was confused.  This male hanyou was a Lady and a wife?

 

“I am sorry if this sounds rude, but you need not lie to us.  I know you are a male.”

 

Inuyasha sighed.  It was difficult to explain his situation.

 

“In these lands I am considered a Lady since I gave up my title as a Lord.  I am also considered to be Lord Sesshoumaru’s wife since we married as husband and wife.  I am a rare hanyou and I am able to bear young.  I did not lie about these things.”

 

Inuyasha stated defensively.

 

Amare simply nodded.  Things were definitely odd here although he had heard of rare male demons that could give birth to offspring.  Amare was not one of those few, but he was also not a dog demon.

 

“I see.  It is a pleasure to meet you.  As for the reason of why we are here it is because we have no home.  We are originally from Burma, India.  We traveled to South Africa finding it to be inhospitable and finally came here to Japan hoping to start a new life.’

“Our kind was hunted by humans and humans killed my mate and cub thus we started to kill them.  In your lands it is not possible for us to live amongst humans since we fear that this pattern will resurface and thus Lord Kouga brought us here to your husband’s castle to see if there may be a way for us to live in peace somewhere away from humans.”

 

Inuyasha understood, but was certain that there would be no home for them in Japan since the new laws stated that killing humans was a crime punishable by death just in case one might be a hanyou since now hanyous had the same rights as demons.

 

“Couldn’t you live with the Panther demon tribe?”

 

Amare sighed.

 

“No, they would not allow us to kill humans either since they live on the border of your Lord’s lands.”

 

Inuyasha thought about this.

 

“It is hard to find a place that is not surrounded by humans these days.  Could you not try to live amongst them if they promised you peace?”

 

Amare frowned.

 

“I know humans.  They will not give us peace.  They wish to lock us in cages, kill us for our furs, claws, and teeth trying to absorb our powers.  I do not think I could live in a place such as this.”

 

Inuyasha pouted a bit, but thought about other options.

 

“Well you didn’t try to attack me, so what about a place filled with hanyous?  They would become human once a month on different days, but they wouldn’t be normal humans.’

“Actually that wouldn’t work.  Their parents come to visit and they are humans and demons.  Perhaps you could try to let go of your hate for them here.  I really do not see another way around it unless you worked here at the castle.’

“We have humans come here to see Sesshoumaru, but for that we could place you somewhere that you did not have to deal with them.  You would be servants here under my husband’s rule, but it is better than having no place to go.”

 

Amare thought about this for a moment and looked at his companions.

 

“Perhaps that would work, but what would we do here?”

 

Inuyasha pouted a bit as he thought about what they could do.

 

“You could learn to become guards and we could have all of you stationed together somewhere.  Unless Sesshoumaru has something better planned, but I highly doubt it.  The only thing is that he doesn’t trust cat demons.  He has been at war with them too long and there is something that happened in the past with one which makes him somewhat hostile towards panther demons in general.”

 

Amare watched as Inuyasha paced.  This little creature was charming and attractive for being half dog demon.  He wondered why this Lady Inuyasha had been afraid of them at first, but did not want to pry too much since the little hanyou was indeed trying to help them.

 

“Might I inquire to what makes your Lord husband feel hostile towards cat demons?”

 

Inuyasha stopped pacing for a moment shuddering a bit.

 

“I was attacked by a panther demon.  He forced himself upon me since I am able to bear young and he wanted to steal our lands.”

 

Amare did not need to know any more than that.  It infuriated him that some bastard cat demon from this country would attack such an innocent looking creature.

 

“I hope that you do not feel we would do the same thing.  I do not attack demons unless they are attacking me and mine.  We were fairly secluded in Burma so the only thing we had to worry about was humans.  Perhaps if you can teach us to tolerate humans your Lord husband could learn to tolerate tiger demons?”

 

Inuyasha thought about that.  It was a viable solution to their problem, but it would take time for them to adjust.  Really, the best place for them would be in the Northeast Mountains where Kouga ruled since they were pretty scarce when it came to humans, hanyous, and demons.  Still, there was always the chance that some unlucky human would come across them.

 

“I think that will take Sesshoumaru some serious time since he holds grudges forever.  Still, I think if we cannot find you a new home outside of this castle, than your serving here will be the best option.  Besides, this way Sesshoumaru can keep his eyes on you and insure that you do not cause problems.  I don’t think you will, but my husband is rather stubborn so don’t expect miracles to happen overnight.”

 

Amare nodded and sat back down.  It would be difficult to deal with humans, but apparently there was really no choice in the matter.

 

“If humans attack us will we be put to death for defending ourselves?”

 

Inuyasha smiled.

 

“No you will not, but do try maiming over killing them.  Humans are fairly weak creatures and easy to kill.  As much as I love my Mother, I wish that in many ways I could just be a full demon so I didn’t have to worry about my human half being an issue.”

 

Amare sighed.

 

“Being a full demon isn’t easy either and although you may be weak in some things you are stronger in others.  Living two lives as a human and as a demon must be interesting since demons do not change when they reach a certain age.  We resist change rather than embrace it and being immortal is not as wonderful as you may believe.’

“I sometimes wish I would have died with my mate and cub.  I am now here in a strange country where I may not be accepted.  My companions suffer with me since there is no home for us.’

“Your husband is a leader just as I am one and in making decisions we affect those around us in both good ways and bad.  In some ways I feel for your mate since he will have to make decisions that may cause you to feel negative towards him since there are things he must do that may be something that you do not wish for.  He may even do something that may make you hate him, but sometimes those things must be done for the better of your people.  I too have this burden.’

“At least you have a home and someone who loves you.  You are loved by your people and I assume you have children.  I lost my child to humans before our cub or cubs were born.  I can never get my Alisha back and since I have to lead my companions I have not had the time to mourn her properly.  I must first protect my companions and insure they are safe before I can do anything for myself.  This is my calling in life and I accept it.”

 

Inuyasha felt really bad for Amare.  He was such a kind demon and Inuyasha knew if some human had killed Sesshoumaru or Kagome he would feel the same way.

 

Kagome’s death had been slow and agonizing as she died in pain while he held her hand.  As far as Inuyasha knew, she was not pregnant.  Still, he had time to mourn her and this Amare did not have a chance to deal with that pain.  Something inside Inuyasha made him want to help this tiger demon in any way possible and so Inuyasha made a silent vow to do so.

 

“I understand what it is like to have no home and not be accepted because I am a hanyou.  Humans hated me and demons did too because I was a half demon.  My brother and mate hated me for years.  I had no place to go until I met Kagome.’

“Kagome was my wife before I mated Sesshoumaru.  She was a beautiful human girl and died from a terrible plague that had come through our lands.  I couldn’t save her, but I still love her in my heart.’

“Part of the reason we don’t kill humans is because of Kagome and the fact I am half human.  I saved many of my kind from persecution by defending them and I will continue to do so until I breathe no more.’

“As far as humans go, they are just scared of us and don’t like things they don’t understand.  I am sorry they killed your people.  We allow them to kill each other in wars, but most humans don’t really bother us anymore.  I don’t think that a lot of them know that they know they are being ruled by demons.’

“You would have liked Kagome and my pack of human friends.  They were kind people when it came to demons such as you, especially Kagome.  She had a way of making people love her and accepted me just as I was.  We would have made a place for you at the village although it was a human village.  The people there made a home for me and I am certain if they were still alive that they would have made a home for you.’

“I didn’t have to be a different person for Kagome.  It has taken Sesshoumaru years to accept me as I am since for years he tried to kill me.  I only wish that I could have saved her even if I was meant to mate Sesshoumaru.”

 

Amare felt for the little hanyou, but fact was even if his pack had been kind hearted Amare would most likely have attacked them if they came near him or his companions most likely resulting in the possible death of both the humans and his own small pack of tigers.  It was a good thing that Inuyasha was here now so that maybe Amare could understand more about the humans in these lands and why the laws were set up as they were.

 

“Are you guys hungry?”

 

Inuyasha asked as his stomach growled a bit.

 

“No, we had just eaten before we came here.  Lord Kouga allowed us to hunt on his lands so we were able to procure two rather large boars.”

 

Inuyasha smiled.

 

“Well I am going to have the cook make you something since you may be living here with us.  Even if you are not hungry you have to try this stuff.  It is so good.   It is called Ramen, but it isn’t like the Ramen that Kagome would get for me.  Even Sesshoumaru likes it.”

 

At that Inuyasha pulled the door open and told one of the guards to tell the cook to make ramen for 7 and to bring it here.