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The Meikai War	By : saiyanb Category: Yuyu Hakusho > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 11639 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own YuYu Hakusho, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
The Meikai War

Chapter13

Suoh opened his blood red eyes and looked up at the tree branches hanging above him. He turned to the side and spotted a head of long red hair.

That�s right, I remember now thought Suoh moving a hand up to rub the collar around his neck. He closed his eyes and sighed sitting up to see that Korin was already awake and looking at him again with those intense purple eyes. Suoh looked back with an emotional mask, he didn�t like that look in his new master�s eyes something about it sent the hairs on the back of his neck on end; it was more then possessive. Suoh was the first to look away.

"Get up," said Korin. "Today, we attack the Reikai."

"The girl?" asked Suoh.

"Wake her, if she can�t make it, we leave her," said Korin getting up.

Suoh bowed his head and stood moving over to the red head youko to check her over. She seemed a lot better now, but could use some more rest. However, his master seemed to be in a hurry to conquer the three worlds; gently he reached out and shook the vixen.

"Korin-san," whispered Yoko turning towards Suoh and leaning her face into his hand. She opened her yellow eyes and looked up at the dragon standing over her in confusion before jerking back from him and up to her feet. She winced as the move jarred an injury.

"Don�t push yourself," said Suoh moving to stand. "You�re quite battered."

"No thanks to you!" growled Yoko. She glanced at the bandages covering her wounds then at the torn remains of Suoh�s robes.

"Suoh," called Korin.

The black ryu obediently came at his master�s call. "Hai," said Suoh in an emotionless voice.

"Change into your dragon form, we�re going to burn the Reikai palace to the ground," he laughed.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama groaned and rubbed his head as he sat up. He glanced around to see Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Botan asleep in front of him. He gasps feeling something warm pressed up against his back.

"Hiei," said Kurama looking over his shoulder. Had it all been some crazy dream?! His mouth dropped at what he saw.

Hiei lay snuggled against his back, However, spooned up behind the petit demon was a golden fox god with both arms wrapped around the soulless creature�s waist.

Kurama pinched himself to make sure he wasn�t dreaming.

To the side Yusuke woke with a loud groan and sat up with a stretch. "Owe my back, I hate sleeping on the ground," he said in a half awake voice. He hit Kuwabara over the head who wasn�t that far away from him. "Hey, wake up!"

Kuwabara was up with a growl. "Urameshi!" he shouted grabbing Yusuke by the shirt. "Is that anyway to wake someone up?!" he snarled shaking Yusuke.

The noise woke up Botan who yawned loudly and fanned her mouth. She spotted Kurama. "Good morning," she chirped. Her pink eyes widen as she spotted Inari and Hiei. "Inari-sama?"

Yusuke and Kuwabara stopped in their horseplay to glance at the sleeping god, hugging their comrade like a big black teddy bear to his chest.

"Why�s he hugging the shrimp?" asked Kuwabara.

"I don�t know," said Yusuke. "Maybe he was cold last night, you know Hiei is a fire demon."

"Someone should wake him up," said Botan.

Everyone glanced at Kurama.

"Eh? Me?"

"Well he�s your god," said Kuwabara.

Kurama frowned and turned to the golden god. He wanted to punch Inari wake and snatch Hiei away from him. Really, he didn�t care if Inari was a god, if he started having a think for �his� Hiei, heads would roll. Of course, he didn�t want it to be his head doing the rolling. Just how do you wake up a god? Poking him seemed kind of rude, laying his hands on him to shake him awake seemed like the kind of thing that got you cursed, and plugging his mouth and nose was defiantly out of the question.

"Um�" said Kurama at a lose as for what to do.

"Ryu� oka-san," mumbled Inari rubbing his cheek on Hiei�s wild hair.

"Eh?" said everyone leaning over to look closer at the two.

"What�d he say?" asked Yusuke.

"Something about a dragon and his mother," said Kuwabara.

"I think he said his mother was a dragon," said Botan.

"He didn�t say that!" said Yusuke.

Kurama stood froze looking at the two as the three around him talked. Could it be true?! Could the Golden Inari be half dragon?! The idea was absurd! He didn�t look like a ryu at all� although, Kurama reached down and picked up a tassel of long golden hair, the color was the same as he remembered Ryuujin�s being in his dreams. His hand began to shake, if his dreams were true then Inari was half ryu, which also made him Suoh�s kit, which make him the Silver Inari�s son, Which meant that he was� Kurama began to sway on his knees.

"Kurama!" shouted Botan moving to catch the red head as he fell backwards.

"Not again," said Kuwabara as he and Yusuke moved over to the red head.

"My� son�" whispered Kurama with wide eyes.

"What?" said Yusuke. "Kurama are you going to pass out again?" he asked the red head.

"He looks like he�s in shook over something," said Botan.

Everyone turned as they heard Inari moan softly, watchind as he opened his golden eyes and looked at them.

Kurama found it hard to breathe as he and Inari�s locked gazes.

"Ryuujin�" whispered Kurama.

Inari�s eyes widened and he sat up quickly, Hiei still held tightly in his embrace. There was a long pause with the two looking at each other with wild eyes.

"What�s going on?" asked Yusuke looking from one to the other.

Inari looked away first since Kurama was too frozen by his gaze to do so. "Nothing," said the golden fox standing up and cradling Hiei. "Come, we need to hurry, or there won�t be much of the Reikai left for us to save," he said heading down the tunnel. The rest of the group scrambled up and hurried after him.

"Kurama, you okay?" asked Yusuke next to him. "You were out all day yesterday and I thought for sure you were going to do it again a moment ago."

"I-I�" said Kurama still in shock. "I don�t know. I don�t know if it will happen again, I don�t know if what I�m seeing is true, I don�t know!" shouted Kurama. "Why am I see all this! What does it mean?! I�m Youko Kurama, human Shuuichi Minamino!" shouted Kurama holding his head. There it was again that pounding in his head that he�d felt with the first vision. What did it mean?! He didn�t understand, what was happening to him?

Inari looked back at them with an emotionless look on his face. "You�re awakening," said Inari turning around to look at Kurama, golden eyes once again holding Kurama�s green ones.

"Awakening?" said Yusuke to Kurama�s side. "What do you mean by that?"

"Ask your friend," said Inari. "He should know better then me all that is happening."

"But I don�t" shouted Kurama. "I don�t understand anything!"

Inari held his gaze a long time then turning to give them his back. "I see, you still don�t remember." With another word he started walking. "Come on, there isn�t much time," he said in a cold voice.

"Remember," said Kurama. "Remember, what?" he asked holding his head as the pain increased.

"Kurama," called Kuwabara as the red head staggered back against him, eyes wide and unfocused; seeing yet not what was before him.

"Remember what, Kogare�" whispered Kurama before everything went black.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Suoh watched with a small smile on her lips while Inari played with his new son, their son. The gods had only calmed down some when they saw it wasn�t a ryu god, it was only out of fear of breaking the newly formed alliance with the ryu clans that they allow Inari to call the golden kit his son.

Suoh lowered her gaze from the happy sight and the smile slipped from her face; she�d failed her kin. Silently Suoh got up and left father and son to bond, they didn�t even notice her departure. She walked among her kin, many gave her odd looks, more then one showed open disgust, some smiled at her in a supportive way. Suoh knew their feelings were mixed on the matter. As a black ryu it was expected of her to bare lots of cubs, as many as possible to preserve the blacks, but she had birthed a godling, not a black. She�d not only failed her duties, but had added insult to it, conceive a creature that could very well turn into just another god to hunt and use them as toys. Suoh knew the only reason they didn�t openly mock her was because Ryuujin had approved of she and Inari and welcoming the golden kit as a child of his clan and color. A high honor even if the baby wasn�t a ryu, it made the kit like Ryuujin grandson among the clans. The only other golden ryu wasn�t a dragon at all, the irony.

Suoh lifted her bowed head to see Ryuujin standing in front of her almost as if he�d expected her to show up. He reached up a massive hand and wrapped it around her small shoulders, pulling her away from the eyes of the others to be alone.

A long pause filled the air when they were along.

"Do not be ashamed Suoh, you have no reason to be," said Ryuujin.

"You weren�t hoping for a golden fox god were you, Golden Ryu," said Suoh softly.

They locked eyes for a long time and Ryuujin sighed. "I won�t lie, no I wasn�t."

"That time," said Suoh stepping towards him. "That time you touched me," said the ryu running her fingertips over her lips. "Why?" asked the ryu in a small voice leaning into the ryu to rest her head against his stomach. "Why me?"

Ryuujin reached up one large hand and petted Suoh�s head. "I knew you�d conceive by him someday, I saw it in your fate, the Golden light," said Ryuujin. "I admit, I thought it would be a golden Ryu God. That is why I touched you so. It would have killed you; no mere mortal can hold something in of that kind for so long without dying from it. I breathed my essence into you Suoh so you could live long enough to have the child, it would seem you are stronger then I gave you credit for; you lived."

"But it didn�t work," said Suoh against his chest.

"No," said Ryuujin still petting the soft black hair. "It did work, it just didn�t come out the way I predicted. A ryu bore a god, you should be proud of that Suoh."

"I can try again," said Suoh looking up at him with deep red eyes.

Ryuujin smiled down at her. "You are indeed ready to die for us, aren�t you little ryu? If you have any more children by Inari, with or without my help, it will kill you."

"I don�t care," said Suoh shaking slightly against him.

"No, Suoh. It was foolish of me to try and guide your fate. I cannot stray you from your path. The darkness will not lift, your fate lies else where with the Golden light, the Bright Soul, the Darkest fire, the Bringing of Death, and the destruction of worlds. Those are your fate Suoh."

Suoh bowed her head and sighed into Ryuujin�s stomach. "I still don�t know what that means, I don�t know how to control the events that have begun."

Ryuujin smiled down at her. "None of us do, Suoh. We can only watch it unfold and hope for the best." The large gold dragon wrapped both arms around the delicate black ryu, almost completely hiding her in the circle of his arms. "Suoh, do you now regret your love for Inari and what has come of it?" asked Ryuujin.

Suoh smiled against him. "No, Kogare is beautiful."

"Golden," smiled Ryuujin. "You named him after his color?"

"He is a golden fox if not a golden ryu. The color is all that shows his true heritage."

Ryuujin nodded his golden head in approval.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Inari rubbed noses with the golden kit, breathing the newborn�s scent, memorizing his features. The being he held was more then beautiful it was amazing, he�d never beheld a greater treasure in all the lands.

Several gods had moved closer to the golden kit and his silver father. It was impossible to be disgusted by such a beautiful baby no matter its heritage, the kit fairly glowed with a holy golden light that made everything around it seem dull in color and form. It was easy to forget it was part ryu since its godhood shone so brightly.

"He is very beautiful," spoke a honeyed voice and Inari turned his silver head to see Aphrodite standing next to Volcanus. She held out her hands and with a little reluctance Inari handed her the kit.

She cooed to it and tickled its cheek with her delicate fingertips.

Inari looked hard at her, she was partly responsible for the events that had just taken place. Yet he couldn�t be mad at her for plotting so behind his back, not when the results were so.

"Inari," called Aphrodite. "Come walk with me, I have something to say," she said. Inari stood up and followed the goddess as she glided gracefully away from the crowd and to a more private section.

"I promised you I�d explain, that day," she said.

"That day, when Suoh conceived you mean. When you separated me and Suoh from the others," said Inari.

Aphrodite smiled and nodded her head.

"You planned this, just as you planned Suoh," said Inari taking his golden son from her.

"I did, I and others."

"How?" asked Inari. "Suoh, wasn�t even in season."

"She was, Ryuujin threw her circle out of order, in a sense he tampered with her. Strengthening her eternal powers so she might carry to full term."

"The gold color," said Inari holding out the kit. "It is Ryuujin�s doing?"

"Yes, he saturated Suoh with his ki, the gold apparently rubbed off, so to speak."

Inari snorted and cradled the kit in his arms. "Well I don�t mind the color, it only makes him more beautiful."

"Do you fully understand what has just happened, Inari? Suoh would never have been able to do this by herself, without Ryuujin�s help she wouldn�t have had enough ki."

Inari�s eyes widened. "Are you telling me it would have killed her if he hadn�t helped?"

"It still should have killed her," said Inari. "Suoh is stronger then we first thought. You cannot have any more children with her Inari, she will not make it."

Inari stiffened, the kit whimpered in his arms. "Aphrodite, why did Ryuujin help Suoh? He must have scarified a large portion of his ki, it would have been wiser to use it against the Meikai then to save one ryu."

"Ryuujin sees things differently from us, he follows his feelings; a prophet of sort. Although he did not foresee a golden kit would be the result of your coupling."

"He was hoping for a ryu god wasn�t he," said Inari.

"He hoped, Ryuujin is concerned for his kind. Do you really think the ryu clans will survive the war between the Meikai, dear Inari."

Inari looked at the very serious look in her eyes. "The ryus are strong of will and body, they will survive."

"Ah, strong they are, but stronger still are we, dear Inari, and the Meikai is strong as well. Ryuujin had the clans joined forces with the Reikai because he knows if the ryus are to remain independent in the war they will all be destroyed." She turned around so he couldn�t see her face. "They may still be destroyed. Enma sees them as a allies against the Meikai and as a threat against the Reikai."

"What are you saying, Aphrodite?! That the Reikai should destroy the clans before the clans destroy them?!"

"Shh!" hissed Aphrodite between her teeth. "Do not speak so loudly of treason, Inari. Think about it, if the child you held in your arms had been a ryu god, the ryus would have had a patron god, one that would have protected the ryus and kept them under control, but as they stand now they are a wild card in the deck. They follow no god and no god holds power over them. That makes them dangerous it is a fact. One that may some day have to be dealt with, this," she said tapping the baby on the nose. "Was Ryuujin�s hope to avoid that day, but as you can see you don�t hold his salvation." Aphrodite smiled weakly. "I worry for the ryus, Inari, win or lose this war and it remains the same for them. They will still be a threat."

Inari swallowed hard. "They are our allies now, we won�t betray them."

"For the time being, no, his is Ryuujin�s plan in allying with the Reikai. We need them now, but what will become of them after, when our alliance is no more?"

"Then we must work to make sure the alliance is never broken," said Inari.

Aphrodite smiled sweetly at him. "Shall we make the ryus our personal pets, Inari? As you have Suoh?"

"Suoh is not a pet!"

"To you no, to us yes."

Inari was shocked at her words.

"Ryus are dangerous pets that could turn and bit the hands that feeds them. When the Meikai is no more, when we need them not, they�ll grow in numbers till they become a force that even a god should be warily of. Perhaps a new war will start one with ryus against gods?"

"No," said Inari. "Ryuujin won�t start a war against the gods."

"Ryuujin is mortal, Inari. He doesn�t believe he�ll live much longer."

"Ryuujin dead?" said Inari.

"He sees his death in the future, the clans know not of his, he hasn�t told them. But he hinted to me and I have assisted him to work toward a peaceful unity between us. The alliance we now hold is the most progressed we have made. It is enough for now, but I fear one day it will not be."

"This is indeed a heavy burden to bare," said Inari. He sighed into the golden kits soft hair. "I feel I am to blame for such an unsure fate. A Ryu God� if only you were one," he told the kit rubbing its back.

"It is no ones fault, Inari, specially not yours or the kit�s. As Ryuujin says it is fate, we can not change nor command it."

Inari smiled bitterly. "I hope fate is kind to us."

"Has it not been kind to you Inari?"

Inari gave her a questioning look.

"Do you not have all your heart�s desires? Power, beauty, love, immortality, Suoh, and now a son."

Inari smiled weakly. "Yes, fate has been very kind to me. But how long will she smile at me?"

"I can not say," said Aphrodite.

Inari smiled again and kissed his son�s golden head. "Then I will smile at her so long as she smiles at me. Suoh? Where is she?" he asked looking around for the black ryu.

"I believe she is with Ryuujin."

Inari nodded his head, saying his good byes he left to look for the black ryu. He spotted her walking with Ryuujin. His eyes wandered up the tall golden ryu who for saw his own death. Inari shivered, the day Ryuujin breathed his last would be dark indeed.

"Inari," called a familiar voice and Inari lowered his gaze to view his pretty black ryu smiling sweetly at him. She walked over to take the golden kit from him and cooed at it.

"There�s my sweet little Kogare," she said nuzzling the kit.

"Golden?" said Inari looking at his mate.

She smiled at him. "Do you not like it?"

Inari smiled. "I like it very much." He pulled the black ryu to him and embraced her; he had a bad feeling of foreboding in his blood as he held her tight; that fate was already losing its bright smile for him.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Sunoo laughed loudly as she splashed water on Kogare�s back, bathing him in their spring. Suoh sat next to Rouin watching with a little smile on her face.

"You once said you would never have children," said Rouin next to him in a dull voice.

Suoh looked at him. "I did not think I would," she said losing her smile at the pained look in his face.

"What is it like?" asked Rouin softly.

"What like?" asked Suoh.

"To have a child?" asked Rouin with distant eyes.

Suoh couldn�t look at him, his pain was still too fresh, still hung around him like a veil. She gazed at her twin and kit as Sunoo floated on her back with the little golden baby batting at her long black hair under the water while being cradled against her chest. Suoh�s smile returned at the sight of them. "It�s a very warm feeling, warmer then any fire. Like a blessing from the heavens, a gift I feel I don�t disserve."

"A gift," said Rouin slowly. "One that I�ll never know."

"Rouin," said Suoh turning back to look at him.

Rouin only smiled bitterly. "Don�t say that it�s not too late, because it is. I could never bring myself to try and replace Chi." He laughed low to himself. "I guess we�ve both failed."

"Rouin?"

"We are the youngest of the blacks and already we have doomed our clan. I will not take another mate, nor will you have any black cubs by Inari." He lowered his head and began to laugh again at first low then louder, throwing back his head; tears streaming down his face.

"Rouin," said Suoh grabbing his shoulders to try and calm him down.

Rouin stopped his laughing as Suoh brushed her hand across his tear-streaked face. He looked at the pain on his friend�s face, pain caused by his words and actions. His hand moved up to grab Suoh�s and without a word he lifted is head and kissed the ryu tenderly on the mouth, causing Suoh to gasped against his lips. Rouin took the slight parting to invade her mouth and taste the fire of her breath. The kiss was short as Rouin snapped his head back and looked away with shame. "Gomen, Suoh. I didn�t mean to hurt you with my words."

Suoh touched her lips looking at Rouin. "Rouin I-I�"

"Shh," said Rouin lifting his head to look at her and raising a finger to press it to her lips. "Don�t say it. I know you love Inari. And You know I love Chi still. It was just the� moment. For a second I thought that we could�" He shook his head and stood up. "Never mind, forget it Suoh, I�m just in heat," he said leaving the spring.

"Rouin�" said Suoh watching him go.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Inari watched as Kogare ran after Suoh laughing happily as he tried to catch the ryu�s black tail. He and Suoh no longer were expected to join in the fighting against the Meikai, not till Kogare was many years odder and no longer need them. Ryus were allowed time off to raise cubs and it was considered more important that Inari teach his son their ways then go off and do combat.

He frowned at the little golden boy. He was indeed a golden boy he was stealing all of Suoh�s time and affection! He crossed his arms and tried not to pout, but he could swear the little pup was doing it on purpose. Kogare was a sneaky, troublemaker. He was incredibly curious about everything, especial things that weren�t his. Many gods would check themselves over after having a run in with the pretty golden kit. More then one angry god had confronted him demanding a stolen object be returned at once. The golden fox seemed to have no respect for his betters. He was always trying to escape from his tutors to run off and play. Worst yet, golden foxes were already starting to pop up and they were ruining the fox�s reputation with their tricky nature and craftiness. At this rate foxes would start to be regarded as prankster, tricksters, and thieves! He really needed to get his son on a tighter leash!

Kogare leapt with a laugh and caught Suoh around the waist, the ryu playfully went with the movement and they rolled on the fresh green grass together. Kogare ended on top of the little black ryu, laughing happy as he hugged Suoh around the neck and kissed her cheek and lips.

"I love you mama ryu," said Kogare happy rubbing cheeks with the ryu�s white one.

"And, I you," smiled Suoh petting his now shoulder blade length hair. "From now till the dawn of time, forever," she said tapping him on the nose. The little boy�s tail waved happily behind him as he cuddled against the female ryu�s chest and sighed happily.

What Inari wouldn�t give to do the same! If only he could get that little brat to leave him and Suoh alone for an hour, half an hour, fifteen minutes! He�d feel so much better. But, he saw the look on Suoh face and knew she was happy like that. Happy being with him and their son, just the three of them. Inari frowned slightly, when Kogare wasn�t with her, she�d get a sad look in her eyes, often times when she came back from Dragon Springs, she looked depressed. Inari suspected it had something to do with her not being allowed to teach Kogare her ways. The Golden kit was forbidden to go with her to Dragon Springs, the gods were making sure he grew up to be one of them.

Inari was starting to worry about Suoh, there was an emptiness in her eyes, a longing for something Inari knew not what. She has much pride perhaps she misses the thrill of combat or feels she�s not doing her part in the war. Yes, his Suoh thought very highly of her responsibilities: to him, to the war, to the clans, and to herself.

Maybe it was something else, something that Suoh didn�t miss, but simply didn�t have. If only he knew what it was he�d get it for her. But, then if it was something he could give her she�d probably have asked him for it already.

"Inari," called Suoh from the carpet of green grass, facing away from him. "I wanted to go to a gathering, one to celebrate with my kin the latest success of the war� Do you think it�d be alright to take Kogare?"

There was along pause with the silver fox god chewing his lip, trying to think of the best way to tell his mate no.

"It�s okay� never mind," said Suoh softly.

"But I want to go," pouted Kogare propping himself up on his arms.

Suoh leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. "Can�t, you�ve got practice."

"Ahhh!" whined the boy. "No, I don�t want to go! I want to go with you and see Rouin Oji-san, Ryuujin Ojii-san, and Sunoo Oba-san. Please!" said the golden kit giving Suoh puppy eyes.

Suoh laughed and shook her head. "Sorry honey, you have to learn this stuff, how else will you grow up to be a big strong god like your papa?"

"I don�t want to be a god like papa, I want to be a ryu!" said the boy hugging her again. "I want to breathe fire, fly, and fight the Meikai!" he laughed wiggling his little tail.

Suoh laughed. "You�ll have to find a nice ryu to be your mount then. And! You�ll have to grow a couple more inches too," said Suoh.

The boy shook his head. "No I want to fly by myself! I want to have wings like you," said the boy patting one of her leather wings.

A sad look crossed Suoh�s face briefly, but it was gone the next moment as she smiled sweetly at him. "No honey, you can�t have wings that�d make you a bat, not a ryu," she said.

The boy pouted, looking both cute and stubborn at the same time. "I�m not a bat!"

"Of course not," said Suoh sitting up. She turned to look in the distance where a pair of Kogare�s tutors were walking towards them to take the boy for his lessons. She pushed him up to his feet and gave him a pat on the butt. "You�re teachers are here, time to go."

"No!" said the boy running behind her to grab a large wing and hiding under it. "I don�t want to go!"

"Kogare," said Suoh on a warning tone as the two silver youkos walked up to them.

"Inari-sama," bowed the two. "Is your son ready?"

"No!" came the muffled reply from within the wing.

"He�s just dying for you to fill his head with knowledge today," grinned Inari moving over to his mate and kit to grab a hold of the pouting golden boy and pull him out from under Suoh�s wing. He dumped the fuming boy in one of the youko�s arms. "If you live through this, I�ll give you both another tail," said Inari.

The silver youko laughed. "Your son has much potential, but I fear his interests lie elsewhere."

"The prince of thieves," said Inari with a sigh.

The two youkos smiled. "He is extremely stealth. Quick of eye and hand, even his powers are maturing at a relatively young age," said one youko.

"Ryu blood," said Inari glancing at Suoh. "He�s maturing as the same speed as a ryu, too fast for a god," he said roughing the boy�s golden mop. "You�re such a troublemaker, Kogare," he said in a tensing voice.

"Does that mean I�ll grow wings and breathe fire soon?" asked the boy.

Inari laughed and patted his head again. "Maybe if you get strong enough, some day you will do those things, but for that you have to learn more."

The boy hugged the silver youko holding him around the neck. "Do you know how to breathe fire and grow wings? Can you teach me?"

The silver youko laughed nervously. "Maybe another day," said the silver. "After you�ve learned a few other things."

The boy pouted and crossed his arms.

"We�ll return him before dark," said the other silver, both bowed to their god and left with the golden kit.

Inari watched them go with a smile then once they were out of sight he pounced on Suoh who was still sitting on the grass. Grabbing the ryu�s wrists in his hands he pinned her flat to the ground and leaned down to kiss her softly on the lips.

Suoh kissed back but it wasn�t passionate, just a light pressure to slow she shared his feelings. Inari pulled back and looked at his mate, with a sigh he released her and lay his head down on her breasts, much as his son had just done, to listen to the beat of Suoh�s heart and the sound of her breath entering and leaving her lungs. "What�s wrong Suoh?" asked Inari.

Suoh raised up a hand and ran it through his hair. "What makes you think something is wrong?"

"You seem different, ever since Kogare was born you act different when he�s not around. Is something bothering you?"

"Not really," said Suoh laying flat under Inari and looking up at the sky. "Just thinking."

"About what?"

"Lots of things: Ryuujin, Sunoo�Rouin�"

"You�re still worried about him? It�s been so long since his mate�s death," said Inari.

"He still loves her," said Suoh softly. "He won�t let go�" Suoh buried her face against Inari�s silver mane and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hugging him tight. "I love you, no matter what I will always love you," she whispered against him.

Inari sighed into her breasts rubbing his cheek against them. There was diffidently something bothering Suoh, something she didn�t want to talk to him about or didn�t want him to know. She was trying to avoid the subject now and change the mood. Inari groaned as she began chewing on one of his fury ears, widening her legs to fix him more snuggly against her. She is rather good at changing the subject thought Inari running a hand up one soft thigh.

Inari leaned forward and locked lips with the black ryu one hand moving up to squeeze one breast gaining a soft groan from the ryu. He smiled against her lips and then gasped as something landed hard on his back with a happy cry.

"Kogare!" roared Inari propping himself up to glare at the laughing golden kit over his shoulder. He�d already escaped from the two youkos?!

"I didn�t get to kiss mama ryu good bye," said the boy innocently. The boy then leaned over Inari�s shoulder and gave the ryu a loud wet smack before jumping off Inari and running off.

"Ah, that kid!" said Inari watching the boy run off.

Under him Suoh laughed causing Inari to return his gaze to her. "You two are so much a like."

"No we�re not, he�s nothing like me," said Inari with a frown. "He�s conniving, sneaky, and a spoiled brat."

Suoh laughed again. "Just like you."

"Why you," said Inari with a grin moving down to lightly bit one of the laughing ryu�s ear, rolling it in his mouth, knowing that was one of the ryu�s ticklish spots.

Inari let go and looked down at his still laughing mate, she stopped and smiled up at him. "Suoh," said Inari softly moving a hand up to touch one side of the ryu�s face. His was what he missed; Suoh smiling at him, looking at him with undying love and affection without that sense of lost or longing in her deep red eyes. He leaned down and kissed the ryu deeply saying the words with his body that he couldn�t voice out loud.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Rouin sat on a pile of rubble, smoke from fires drifted past him as he looked at the burnt and destroyed valley with dead dull eyes. Several small cuts marred his body, nothing serious, but it was obvious to any that saw him that he�d just come out of combat.

"That bastard Raiko got away once again," said a voice behind him. Rouin turned to see Aresism standing behind him the wind buffing his black hair. The ryu turned back to look at the ruined valley.

He and Aresism now worked together, since Aresism was head of the Reikai forces and he the strongest of the ryus it only made sense. Rouin found little love for the war god even though they worked well together. He found little love for anything now of days.

"What are you thinking, black ryu?" asked Aresism. "Since the day we first started killing together there�s been a look in your eyes that has made me curious about you. What is it you feel when you kill?"

"Nothing," said Rouin not looking at him. "I feel nothing any more."

"Are you sick of the color of blood, ryu? Has your clawed hands been covered in so much of it that the sight is more common to you then not?"

"To kill� it is not the killing that bothers me. I once enjoyed the trill of combat it was my favorite way to pass time, yet now� Now I wish that these blood soaked hands would give life once instead of taking it. Everything they caress dies and turns to dust," said the ryu lifting one hand to look at it.

Aresism looked long at the back of the black ryu. "Perhaps that is your fate, a bringer of death. Such are needed in these dark, unlit, days."

Rouin did not answer and the two looked over the dead valley in silence together.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Suoh landed in a large clearing where ryus of all colors had gathered together to dance and sing. He could make out Ryuujin�s golden form and deep voice laughing with many of his brethren. Their alliance with the Reikai was going well few ryus had been captured by the Meikai since the treaty and the war was greatly turning in their favor. There was much hope in the air tonight.

Suoh smiled softly as she walked among them, her people, her kin.

Sunoo was being swung around by a tall white ryu laughing happily as he picked her up and moved in a circle with her. She spotted Suoh and waved to her from her perch in the white ryu�s arms. Once he set her down she ran to her twin and embraced her then grabbed her hands and pulling her to dance around a large fire that had been built in the center of the clearing and flickered all colors of the rainbow with dragon�s fire.

The two dragon twins danced gracefully together in perfect sync, catching the eyes of many with their distinct markings and fluid grace. As they moved Suoh spotted a familiar black ryu sitting by himself, simply watching all the fun and excitement with dull brown eyes. She pulled away from her twin much to the disappointment of many watching them move and went over to the black.

"Rouin," she called smiling sweetly at the taller black ryu. She held out a hand to him.

"Suoh," said Rouin looking at her hand. "No� I don�t feel like dancing," he said lowering his head. Suoh frown and with a growl grabbed Rouin�s big hand and yanked pulling him to his feet. "Suoh?!"

The slender black ryu wrapped one arm around his waist and pulled him away from his seat. She said nothing just smiled up at him and moved back taking his hand to begin a slow dance with him. Gradually Rouin relaxed and begin to move with the smaller ryu till the beat of the music and the voices singing to it turned wild and fast, as did the movement of the ryus.

For a moment in time Rouin forgot his pain, forgot everything, but the excitement and joy of those around him. He moved with a passion and life he hadn�t displayed in many years as he moved with Suoh, brushing up against the smaller black as the space they were in became more crowed and the room less. He looked down at Suoh�s smiling face as the ryu laughed turning in his arms. And for the first time in a very long time the taller black ryu truly smiled back. The song ended and the two moved out of the circle of dancing colors and over to a much less crowed area.

"It�s been so long since we�re all been together like this," said Suoh watching the dancing ryus circle around the fire of dragon�s flames. "I feel much lighter of spirit then I have for a long time."

"Suoh," smiled Rouin looking down at the black as she watched the dancers. He�d missed this too, missed being with his kin, missed smiling and laughing with them. He�d been lonely he realized.

"Well if it isn�t Suoh," sneered a voice behind the two. They turned to see another black ryu slightly shorter then Rouin.

"Kuroi," said Rouin recognizing the black.

"Rouin, why are you with that creature," said Kuroi.

"What?!" roared Rouin. "What are you babbling about," said Rouin stepping in front of Suoh.

"Come one Rouin, Suoh�s ryu bloods grown so thin she�s forgotten what it means to be ryu, to be part of the clan."

"Shut up, you�re not talking straight Kuroi. Suoh has been and always will be one of us."

"Why are you defending her? She choose to be a god�s pet over your mate, Rouin. All the pride and honor of being a ryu she�s thrown away to be that fox god�s bed warmer. Her blood�s thinned so much that the whelps she bares don�t have a drop of ryu blood in them."

Suoh looked on with wide red eyes unable to say anything against Kuroi�s words.

"Huh, Suoh you�ve forgotten the first thing about being a ryu: clan comes first. You�ve abandoned us for that silver fox god."

Rouin growled and grabbed the front of Kuroi�s robes. "Shut your mouth!" he roared shoving Kuroi back. The black�s back slammed against a nearby tree causing Kuroi to wince; he snapped his head up to looking at Rouin. "If you ever speak to Suoh like that again I�ll beat you to within a inch of death! Do you hear me!" The black paled, turned, and left in a hurry.

Rouin turned back to look at Suoh who had her head bowed. "Suoh don�t listen to him," said Rouin putting his hands on either one of the smaller ryu�s shoulders.

"But� it�s true," said Suoh softly. She lifted her head. "Rouin, I deserve to be mocked! If I were a true ryu I�d have full fill my responsible to my clan! He�s right, the clan should have come first before my personal feelings I have abandoned you and the others!"

"No you haven�t Suoh," said Rouin going down to kneel in front of the ryu. "You are a true ryu no matter what you will always be a ryu. You�re blood is no thinner or thicker then any of us. It doesn�t matter that your son isn�t a ryu, he�s still your son, a child of your blood, half ryu even if he never shows it."

"But I want him to," whispered Suoh leaning into Rouin and hugging him tight. "I want to teach him what it means to be a ryu, I want to show him the pride, the honor, but� I can�t. I gave birth to him, but it�s like he�s not my son, he�s a god and I feel like I have no right to even touch him. I�m so lonely when they take him away, is it so wrong for him to be anything like me? Am I that low and vial?!"

Rouin crushed the smaller ryu to him. "No more, Suoh. Don�t speak like that about yourself," he said against the ryu. "There is nothing vial about you."

"Yes there is, I-" Suoh was unable to finish as Rouin kissed her deeply silencing her lips with it own. Suoh stiffened in his arms then slowly relaxed to lay boneless in his grip as he deepened the kiss. The two remained that way for a long time till Rouin pulled back to look Suoh in the eyes. "There is nothing wrong with you wanting a child of your own, one that you can raise and rear as your heir. There should be more like you Suoh, never think so low of yourself ever again," he said tightening his grip on Suoh.

Suoh could see in his eyes the same kind of longing that shone in hers. They both wanted the same thing, but�. Suoh looked away. "Thank you Rouin. I feel much better now." She pulled back out of his grip and smiled softly at him. "No there is nothing wrong with wanting something," she said helping him up from his knees. "Come lets go back," she said pulling on his arms. Suoh pulled Rouin back to the others, her mind in more turmoil then before. No there was nothing wrong with wanting something, but to act on it... She shook her head to clear those forbidden thoughts out. She glanced back at Rouin to see that pained sad look was once again back in his eyes.

Rouin, you were so happy a moment ago. You sympathize with me, but I have no right to complain around you. I have a son and a mate and you have lost everything. How can I make that pain leave your eyes permanently when I belong to someone else? How can I replace a kid and mate that were everything to you. The small black ryu bit her lip as once again forbidden thoughts entered her mind. I don�t know what to do.

A deep powerful voice cut through the air silencing the songs of all others. Everyone turned to see Ryuujin, face relaxed and soft, singing in his native tongue an ancient dragon�s tone; the song of the golden ones. They all knew that tone, had heard it many times over their long lives from cubs to adults, every ryu had his own personal song and Ryuujin�s was powerful and beautiful like he. Soft voices underlined the Dragon King�s song and hummed in time to his wordless melody. As his voice died down another ryu�s rose to continue the song in his own way.

Suoh sighed softly and closed her eyes listening. It�d been so long since they�d sung like this. The song would last the whole night as every ryu took their turn in it. It was a long song full of countless emotions and feelings. They went by color first the Gold, for it was his right and honor to start the song, then the white, the yellow, orange, and down the color scheme till last was the blacks.

The two blacks sat and listened, humming softly along with the rest of the clans. Suoh smiled and opened her eyes as she heard a familiar voice raise sweetly in the air, crisp and golden like a song bird�s. She opened her red eyes and gazed upon Sunoo, eyes shut as hers had being, singing beautifully in a voice that told of much delight and joy in life. Suoh sighed and closed her eyes again as Sunoo�s voice died and another�s picked up. She leaned her cheek against Ryu�s arm as she listened, wishing Kogare was there to listen and hear the beautiful tones, ones she herself had first heard as a mer cub.

The night grew late and still they sang: voices deep and rich, low and soft, sweat and high. Down the line they went, till at last the blacks sang the final notes. Suoh never opened her eyes, didn�t need to see when it was her turn. She simply sang, voice deep and sweet, full of unconditional love, strength, and a hint of longing. Many stopped humming to listen, wondering how such a fearsome ryu could sing without any fury in her voice. As her voice died a new one lifted, more masculine and powerful. Suoh opened her eyes and looked up as the relaxed face of Rouin as he sang his part. Unlike hers his tone was sad, so sad it made her tighten the loose grip she held on him as she listened. The others had all stopped to listen to the sorrowful tone as it filled the air. As Rouin�s voice died another picked up and on went the song, but Suoh couldn�t take her eyes off Rouin, his sad song echoed in her head over and over. When the song ended it signaled the end of the gathering and they all rose to leave.

"Rouin," said Suoh catching hold of the ryu�s arm.

He turned to her, eyes empty.

She didn�t want to leave him alone; he�d been alone too long.

"Stay with me tonight," she said. "As a friend. I don�t want to be alone, but I don�t want to return to the Reikai just yet. I want to go to the Ningenkai." She moved closer to Rouin and embraced him. "I want to feel like a real ryu, like I use to, just for a little while."

Rouin lifted her head and kissed her on the cheek. "I don�t feel like being alone right now either," he said taking a step back and spreading his wings. "Come let�s fly together, like we once did," he said with a small smile.

Suoh smiled back and spread her wings as well. Together the two leapt into the skies.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Inari went over to the glass balcony doors and threw them open to embrace Suoh as the black landed lightly.

"Suoh where were you it�s been days," said Inari before kissing the ryu deeply. He pushed back in surprise as he ran his hands up Suoh form. "You�re back in your male shape," said Inari.

"Yes, I am," said Suoh. "I don�t need the other, Kogare is old enough, he doesn�t need a mother any more."

"I see," said Inari, running his hands up Suoh more narrow hips. The ryu leaned in for another kiss. Inari sighed into the kiss and breathed in deeply. He pulled back from the ryu and sniffed him.

"Rouin," said Suoh. "I�ve been spending the last few days with him. I imagine I smell very strongly of him."

"You do," said Inari. There was along pause of awkwardness.

"Nothing happened," said Suoh softly.

Inari nodded his head and sighed.

"Inari, I�ve decided to start fighting the Meikai again� with Rouin."

"What?!" said Inari. "But I still have to teach Kogare all his skills, I can�t go with you."

"That�s why I�m going to fight with Rouin," said Suoh.

"But I need you here," said Inari.

"For what? I can�t help you with Kogare, and it will only be a few days at a time. I want to be of some use if I can be."

Inari bit his lip lightly. "I understand you don�t feel useful around here, but must you go to fight the Meikai? Can�t you do something else?"

"No," said Suoh shaking his head. "I am a black ryu, a fighter, I am of best use out in combat." He walked over to Inari and kissed him on the cheek. "Don�t worry, Rouin and I fight well together, I will be careful. I need to do this Inari," he said.

Inari looked deep into the ryu�s red eyes and saw that he truly meant it. This was very important to him. He could also see that longing look in Suoh�s eyes had faded a little since he�d last looked into them. "Very well I won�t stop you, don�t you dare put yourself at risk Suoh." He took hold of the ryu�s chin, "you can never be replaced and I will be only half a being if you leave me."

The black ryu smiled and kissed him again. "I have no plans of ever leaving you Inari, never."

"Mama Ryu!" shouted a golden ball of fluff and fur running into the room to jump and embrace the ryu around the waist.

"Kogare," said Suoh lifting the boy in a hug. "I missed you."

The boy hugged tightly to Suoh�s front and laughed happily. He pulled back with a confused look and patted the ryu�s front. "You feel different," said Kogare.

"I am different sweetie. This is another of my shapes. Do you not like it?"

The boy shook his head. "I love mama ryu no matter what shape you have!" said the boy going back to hugging him.

Suoh smiled and patted his head. He looked over his shoulder at Inari and grinned at the silver fox. "Just like you."

"Huh," said Inari. "That boy was causing havoc while you were gone. He grew a jungle in the dinning room, ran off by himself twice looking for you, and bit one of my servants!"

Suoh just grinned wider. "Just like you."

"Ahhh!" said Inari yanking on his own hair. He walked over to Suoh and took the golden kit from him. "It�s late young godling, you should be in bed."

"Not tired!" said the little boy.

"Oh yes you are," said Inari heading out the door with kid under arm.

"No I�m not!" Suoh heard the boy say down the hall.

"Yes you are!"

Suoh laughed into his hand and sat on the bed waiting for his mate to return. It didn�t take Inari long and once he was in the room he began tugging on his clothes till he was down to his pants. With a growl he climbed on the bed and grabbed Suoh pulling down the white robes he wore to kiss his neck and shoulder.

"Seems I might have left you by yourself too long," said Suoh in amusement arching as Inari bit down on his shoulder hard enough to leave red marks.

Inari pulled off the white robe and tossed it aside running his hands up the slender ryu�s form. "It�s been awhile since I�ve gotten to enjoy his aspect of you." He leaned down and kissed the ryu deeply.

"Mama ryu?"

With a huff Inari went flat on top of Suoh coving him with his own body. He looked over his shoulder to see Kogare standing in the doorway. "What is it son?" he asked in a slightly irritated voice.

"I don�t want to sleep alone," said the boy running over to the bed and climbing on top. "I want to sleep here tonight."

Suoh rolled to the side and opened his arms Kogare wiggled up tight to his chest, burring his face against Souh�s neck and shoulder.

"Why you-" said Inari the hair at the end of his tail fluffed out.

"Calm down Inari, he�d just a little boy," said Suoh. "And he�s lonely," he said rubbing his cheek on the top of Kogare�s head.

"I�m lonely too," whimpered Inari pushing down his arousal for another time. It seemed he was doing that a lot lately. With a sigh Inari dropped down on the mattress and wrapped an arm around Suoh�s middle pulling his mate and son into his embrace. "Little brat," he said with a kind of fondness as he sighed into Suoh�s hair and pulled the covers over them all.

TBC
- 13
- 14
- 15
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The Meikai War