�Ready? And�� He held the and out, and then after a few seconds yelled, �GO!� Hakkaku was already off, knowing how to read Kouga for a sign to start. Khoa didn�t miss a step. She reached the center first and gracefully retrieved her sword. Then she took Hakkaku�s.
�That�s not a fair fight!� Kouga howled.
�Wait,� was all Danh said. No word play, no innuendoes. Just, wait. Hakkaku saw Khoa with his sword, and whimpered. Then, Khoa held his sword out to him.
�This is yours?� She asked with a kind smile. As soon as he had this sword in his grip though, she started her deadly dance. Thrust. Parry. Lunge. All her movements were fluid, well practiced. Hakkaku next to her looked like an apprentice still wet behind the ears. Parry. Parry. Lunge. Within five minutes, Hakkaku�s sword went flying out of the circle. Khoa threw her sword, and it landed right beside her cloths.
�What are you doing?� Hakkaku gasped.
�Showing off my� assets� Khoa smiled kindly again, then she attacked.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Kouga couldn�t believe it. This female was beating one of his best men!
Why does she need MY protection? She�s obviously capable of defending herself he thought incredulously. Then a pang of grief hit Kouga hard. She was able to defend herself, unlike Kagome� No, don�t think of that right now. Watch these new youkai, and find out what they know about Kagura. With another twinge, Kouga tried to re-focus on the match. Khoa was magnificent. Her hair swung the right way; none of her movements were anything less than perfect. Where could she be from? Why has she come here, were she can barely speak the native tongue. His attention as rudely snapped back to the match, as Hakkaku�s arm snapped, and he was tossed easily out of the ring.
�Hakkaku!� Kouga ran over to his comrade.
�Has m�lady proven herself?� Danh asked. Fury pumped through Kouga.
�Proven? Only against me can she prove herself!� Kouga leapt towards the ring.
�Kouga-kun?� Khoa seemed surprised to see him enter the ring.
�You bitch! How dare you hurt Hakkaku! I�ll teach you�� Kouga fumed. It didn�t really bug him that she had beaten Hakkaku, it was just everything came bubbling up to the surface and his anger demanded release. And Khoa was a means to release that anger. Confusion clouded Khoa�s eyes, until Danh yelled out to her. The language sounded weird, and Kouga nearly stopped at the sound. It was the time needed. Khoa went and snatched up her sword, and faced Kouga.
�I�did not mean to� cause you� anger,� she panted out.
�Show me what you can do,� Kouga�s eyes shone feral glee.
�I�do not wish to� hurt you,� She replied unsteadily.
�You won�t. Come on!� Kouga ran at her, with his claws only. Khoa saw this, and thrust her sword in the ground. Kouga didn�t falter again. His speed was incredible, even with out the jewel shards in his legs and his weakened state. The last battle had nearly killed him. It had killed so many others� A savage scream interrupted that thought. Kouga came up to Khoa, who had let him come to her, and crouched into a spinning heel kick. Khoa caught it, and threw it back. Kouga did a cartwheel, and leaned back on his haunches. He leapt upwards into the air, and slashed at the spot that Khoa hadn�t moved from. She sent out a single fist, and it found it way to Kouga�s knee. His slash went wide, and only nicked her arm. Looking up, he was sad to see that he had only left a small scratch. A dark glimmer entered Khoa�s eyes.
�How dare you Kouga-kun, you shall not be� forgiven!� Khoa coolly snapped, and now she moved. She was a flash of light, and before Kouga knew what happened, he was knocked to the ground, his back aching. Coming onto all fours, blood dribbled from his nose. The smell of blood drew him deeper into his blood lust. This wolf had done nothing to him, but he wanted, no needed, to kill her. The world went black.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
He had scratched her! Khoa was infuriated. She sprinted to the left, and jumped high into the air. His back was towards her. Fool! She yelled in her mind. Both her feet found purchase in the wolf prince�s back, and forced him to the ground. He came up onto all fours, and Khoa saw the blood flowing from his nose. She saw the blood lust. That arrogant whelp, doesn�t even know how to control himself, Khoa made up her mind. She sped over to Kouga, and tapped three points on him that knocked him into oblivion.
�Kouga!� Ginta rushed over. The whole pack growled.
�He will be fine,� She reached down, and released the pressure. He would wake up in a few hours.By then they could be at least�
�Will you stay with us lady Khoa and lady Danh?� Ginta stood up and straighten his shoulders. It was apparent he was taking control.
�You�wish us to� stay?� Confusion clouded her face again.
�Ginta? Yes, that was your name. Why do you invite us to stay after m�lady has rendered two of your men incapable of defense?� Danh stepped in, saving Khoa from answering. Khoa stopped paying attention, knowing Danh would get them a place to stay, food and maybe even the location of a hot spring. Khoa went over to her cloths and started to make sure everything was as it should be. Then she went back for her sword. After tugging it from the earth, she checked the blade. Good, no chips or damage, she sighed in relief. She took her sheath, and lovingly covered her weapon.
�Khoa!� Danh yelled. The fox was heading her way, and looked quite pleased.
�There is a hot spring near here, and we are welcome here tonight, or so this Ginta says. Come on, I hate feeling grimy from such a long trek!� The little youkai briskly headed off on some unseen path. Khoa gathered up her things, and headed after her friend. The whole �m�lady� thing really bothered her. Khoa was just glad the kitsune spoke her native tongue. They reached the hot spring with no trouble, and both didn�t hesitate to strip down and go clean up.
�Ai, this feels so good!� Letting her hair down, Khoa watched it cloud around her.
�Why don�t you cut it Khoa?� Danh asked absently.
�Cut what?� Khoa looked up blankly.
�Your hair stupid! It must be a hassle to keep it clean,� Danh fondly stroked her flame like locks.
�I would never! It�s against tradition! You know that,� She splashed Danh.
�I know, it was a rhetorical question!� Danh splashed her back. A water fight ensued, leaving both girls giggling like hopeful youths.
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