Ketsueki and Aisoku

Aisoku's lithe form steps through the tall packland grasses, his dark eyes hesitantly observing the area. He sighs, seeing nothing that could even resemble the fox demon described to him by his sensei.
Ketsueki, perched in one of the very few trees, is fast asleep. He hears Ai's sigh, and his ears twitch slightly as he slowly opens his eyes. He watches the boy quietly, deciding to wait instead of announcing his presence immediately.
Aisoku frowns, walking a little further into the thick grasses. "No one here...what a shit hole..." He kicks a large tuft of grass, sighing angrily. He'd been searching for almost seven months, and still, not a trace of his father.
Ketsueki watches him, after a moment speaking. "If it's such a shit hole, leave. These are the packlands, and they belong to the pack. No one comes here without permission."
Aisoku blinks, turning in the direction of the voice. He spots Ketsueki in the tree and smiles weakly, "G-...gomen! I didn't think anyone was here...." He walks quickly toward the tree, "Maybe you can help me...?"
Ketsueki growls. "Do you have permission from Okami to be here?"
Aisoku raises an eyebrow, "I don't know any Okami...."
Ketsueki points away. "Then get off. As I said before, these are the Packlands, and no one is here without permission."
Aisoku sighs, "Listen...I just need to ask you a question..."
Ketsueki scowls. "Make it quick."
Aisoku nods, pulling a small scroll of parchment from his pack. He unrolls it, revealing a neatly painted image. He holds it up. "I'm looking for this man...he's a kitsune. His name is Tenpu." He points to the tall male figure on the scroll. Around him are a petite wife adorning a kimono and four young children, one of which is still an infant.
Ketsueki looks at the picture. "It's not my concern. I haven't seen him, and I'm not about to help you look for him. Now leave, or would you like me to make you?"
Aisoku frowns, returning the small parchment to his bag. "Why is this land so heavily guarded? I don't see any thin to protect. There's no village, no people. Nothing. It's just grass land..."
Ketsueki growls, picking up his scythe and standing. "Don't ask questions. Do as you are told and leave the Packlands."
Aisoku blinks, stepping back, "Calm down, calm down...I don't mean any harm.."
Ketsueki growls. "I follow my orders. Get off the packlands. Now."
Aisoku sighs, "Can I please just have a look around...please, I need to find him..."
Ketsueki growls. "There would be no kitsune here....unless, of course...it didn't listen when a pack member told it to leave...then it would probably just be a dead kitsune."
Aisoku looks up at him, his expression pleading, "Please, you don't understand...I'll be quick."
Ketsueki scowls. "Leave. There is nothing here."
Aisoku pushes back a long black lock, "But..."
Ketsueki jumps down from the tree, his scythe ready. "I said, leave." he hisses quietly.
Aisoku frowns, tossing his bag into the grass. "I can't leave here without looking. If I must fight you to do so, I will. "
Ketsueki gives a harsh laugh. "Then you will die." He stops, taking a large breath of air. "I smell human....."
Aisoku tenses a little, remembering his sensei's words of youkai's feelings about humans.
Ketsueki growls quietly. "You're in for it worse now....humans don't deserve to set foot here...even a half blood....."
Aisoku growls a little, "Are you going to fight or talk?"
Ketsueki smirks. "I'm not going to fight, I'm going to kill." He slashes quickly at his abdomen with his scythe. His swing is strong and accurate.
Aisoku leaps back ,yelping in surprise. He growls, running towards Ketsueki. He throws numerous hard punches at the boy's stomach, following with a double round house kick, one low to the knees, the second to the head.
Ketsueki jumps back slightly to avoid the punches and ducks from the kick to the head. He's caught by the second kick and falls to his knees, but retaliates with blast at the other boy's own knees.
Aisoku cries out in pain, the blast meeting his right kneecap. It snaps backward, breaking instantly. He leaps back on his left leg, shaking in pain.
Ketsueki stands, lunging quickly with his scythe aimed at Aisoku's left kneecap. "I'll kill you, half breed."
Aisoku moves quickly to the side, despite his knee, barely eluding Ketsueki. He raises one hand, firing a blast of light reiki directly at the youkai.
Ketsueki is taken by surprise, and barely moves, the blast catching his right arm. He doesn't make any sound, though pain is evident in his features. "I'll kill you.." he murmurs again, his whole body becoming tense. A light blue aura begins to surround him, and he smirks. "I wonder how long you'll live being poisoned?"
Aisoku scowls grimly, momentarily placing his hands on his kneecap. He gives his leg a sharp push, snapping the bone into place. He winces, ignoring Ketsueki.
Ketsueki growls, giving a sharp cry. "Touu!!" For a moment, nothing happens, but, as his aura becomes brighter, sharp icicles begin to fall from the sky, though strangely enough, they never even come near Ketsueki. He smirks, watching the other boy. "Survive this....."
Aisoku yelps, jumping back in surprise, neatly dodging most of the icicles. Unfortunately for him, as he does so, he does not pay close attention to his surroundings. His back smacks into a large tree. The overhead shelter of leaves protects him from further attack from ice daggers.
Ketsueki hisses, and the icicles immediately stop as he runs quickly towards Aisoku, swiping with his scythe at his head.
Aisoku side steps, the blade's fierce scythe catching the side of his arm. He growls, red blood spilling down his side. He moves back a short distance, ki beginning to grow around his figure.
Ketsueki growls, turning and again going for Aisoku. He aims a strong kick at the other boy's head, his eyes narrowed in anger.
Aisoku jumps back, at the same time knocking away Ketsueki's kick with a simple block. The aura around his body grows stronger, "An-Koku You-Rou-Jin!" The aura around his body breaks apart into figures of light, each a shapely twin of their creator. He growls, apparently tired by the practice. He nods and the creatures immediately dash at Ketsueki, throwing hard punches and kicks, attacking him from all sides. Aisoku stands back a safe distance, watching and breathing hard. ((The things he created are just made of light. They don't have any features and stuff, in case that isn't clear ^^))
Ketsueki gives a yelp of surprise as the figures attack him, and he does the best he can to protect himself. After taking a few punches and kicks, he turns in a quick circle with his scythe held out, so that possibly he can try to catch a few of them.
Two of the figure are caught by the scythe, disappearing. The other four manage to elude the attack, then two return to punching and kicking. The other two fire blasts of light at Ketsueki.
Ketsueki yelps as a blast catches his leg, and is also kicked in the side. He swallows, sending a blast of energy at the closest figures, swiping at another's head as soon as the blast leaves his hand.
Aisoku watches as another figure is destroyed. Once again, the remaining two blast at Ketsueki. ((the other is still attacking him ^^ so there's 3))
Ketsueki growls and is barely missed by the blasts , dashing at the one attacking him physically. He kicks as hard as he can at its abdomen. "Coward!" He yells in Aisoku's direction, contempt filling his voice.
The figure is struck, though it does not disappear. It once again attacks Ketsueki, and the others continue firing blasts. Aisoku heaves a breath, tired out by the attack.
Ketsueki swipes at the attacking one with his scythe, aiming it at its waist. But he doesn't pay attention to the blasts, and falls as one catches him from behind.
Aisoku takes a step forward, the remaining figures, of which there are two because the attacker was cut in half, move away from Ketsueki. Aisoku nods, "Will you stop fighting?"
Ketsueki stumbles to his feet, his body heaving as he breathes. "Never, coward!! I fight until one of us is dead..and that'll be you!!" He shoots a blast quickly at each of the remaining figures, growling.
Aisoku frowns, watching as the two figures dodge the attack.
Ketsueki lunges at Aisoku, trying to slice Ai's head off with a single swipe.
Aisoku leaps back, the two figures moving in between himself and Ketsueki. They both fire blasts.
Ketsueki stumbles to the side and barely eludes the attack, sending a small blast at one and swiping at the other with his scythe. "I'll win this fight!"
One of the figure is cut in half by the scythe, disappearing. The other eludes, firing another blast.
Ketsueki yelps as his one arm is caught, and he drops his scythe. His arm, burnt and charred, he leaves hanging at his side, moving it more painful than it's worth. He runs at the remaining figure, punching furiously at its stomach with his other hand.
The figure blocks and counters with its own punches and kicks.
Ketsueki growls as his sore arm is hit, and creates a small ball of energy with his other hand, bringing it close to the figure and shooting it directly at it's head.
The figure vanishes, struck by the blow. Aisoku blinks, a little surprised
Ketsueki shudders, his arm still hanging at his side. "Well...aren't you going to come get me?" he murmurs, his eyes narrowed.
Aisoku smiles weakly, "I may," he observes Ketsueki's slightly battered figure, his clothes bearing a few tears. "It's tempting."
Ketsueki brushes a piece of hair from his face, scowling. "Don't...take all day, half breed...."
Aisoku smiles, "You're the one who wants to fight. So come and get me, or I'll be on my way. I still have to search this place."
Ketsueki lunges at him, blasting at his stomach. "You're not searching anywhere on the packlands!"
Aisoku side steps, making no attack at Ketsueki. "You're to emotional when you fight...your anger is getting in your way."
Ketsueki hisses, kicking at his legs. "Shut up!!"
Aisoku, once again, easily moves.
Ketsueki growls, ceasing his attacks. He stands, watching Aisoku and breathing hard. "Why do you need to search the Packlands? As I said, there is nothing here....."
Aisoku frowns, "It's important...and I have to be certain."
Ketsueki hisses. "Be certain of what?! I don't lie....just get off...."
Aisoku sighs, "I doubt you can guard all of this massive territory. Someone could have gotten by...I have to know."
Ketsueki sends another blast at him. "Get off!!!"
Aisoku frowns, jumping away. "....Please. If it makes you feel better, come with me. But I must search this land."
Ketsueki growls. "Just get off!! I'm not going with you!!" he quiets his voice, murmuring to himself. "I'm tired of fighting..."
Aisoku nods, "As am I. I don't want to fight with you..."
Ketsueki scowls. "And why not?! I've attacked you...."
Aisoku shrugs, "As you said, you were just following orders."
Ketsueki shakes his head. "Just leave."
Aisoku sighs, "I can't do that." He snatches up his bag for the grass, walking further into the pack lands.
Ketsueki growls, running after him. "Stop!!" He blasts at Aisoku's back.
Aisoku, not expecting to be attacked from behind, is struck in the back. He cries out in pain, stumbling forward and falling down into the grass, blood pouring from a grotesque burn on his back.
Ketsueki walks up to him, watching him silently. He makes no motions to kill, nor to help Aisoku.
Aisoku raises his weak body slowly, shaking. He sits on his knees, his palms in the dirt. He coughs up blood, flinching. He looks up at Ketsueki, trying to smile, "I thought...I thought we weren't going to ...fight anymore..." Then he falls, unconscious into the dirt.
Ketsueki creates a ball of energy in his hand, pointing it at Aisoku. "Good bye." he murmurs...and fires the blast. The ground right next to Aisoku’s head becomes charred, though the boy is untouched. Ketsueki growls. "I...can't. I can't kill him while he's not even awake..." He bends down and slowly picks up Ai's body, heading back towards the village.

~*~

Aisoku stirs, groaning softly. He lay on his side on one of the many cots in the healer's home, his back heavily bandaged, the skin beneath tender. He forces his eyes open, looking around, "W...what...? Where am I?"
Ketsueki is lying on the opposite cot, his wounds dressed as well. He's fast asleep, curling up into a small ball under the covers.
Aisoku smiles, seeing the familiar boy beneath the blankets. Despite himself he feels a slight blush.
Ketsueki moans, slowly opening his eyes. He yawns, glancing over at Aisoku. "What are you staring at?"
Aisoku laughs, shaking his head, "Nothing at all." He starts to shift to lie on his backside, but winces and decides against it.
Ketsueki scowls. "Don't move so much." He mutters, lying back down on his pillow.
Aisoku frowns, "You said you didn't want to fight anymore...but you shot me."
Ketsueki hns. "I didn't want to fight. That's not fighting, that's attacking. And cheating, I might add."
Aisoku sighs, "I suppose so..."
Ketsueki smirks. "You're lucky..I probably should've killed you."
Aisoku smiles meekly, "I knew you wouldn't."
Ketsueki growls. "No you didn't..shut up."
Aisoku ignores him, "You have to much honor to kill someone who's already down. That's why I didn't fight unconsciousness after you attacked. Besides, this gets me closer into your home so I can have a look around." He winks, smiling, "And I'll be quick."
Ketsueki tenses. "I'll kill you right now. You're awake."
Aisoku smiles, "I'm injured. Wouldn't that be dishonorable? Besides, you already beat me. Isn't that enough for you?"
Ketsueki hns. "I don't kill people who aren't awake. I can kill injured people. "
Aisoku looks at him, a little disappointed, "But would you?"
Ketsueki laughs. "Of course I would, I have no problem with it. "
Aisoku laughs quietly, though it sounds forced, "...and here I thought we'd gotten past this."
Ketsueki smirks. "Gotten past what?"
Aisoku shrugs meekly, "Being enemies...I don't want to be your enemy you know. You don't seem that bad...not really. A little insecure, though I don't see why."
Ketsueki hisses. "You know nothing about me, don't assume things... and I don't make friends."
Aisoku looks down, "Well...why not?"
Ketsueki scowls at him. "Friends are pointless..they only create weaknesses for your enemies."
Aisoku dampens his lips, "I...I see. Well, I don't make many friends either...Only I've tried." He laughs quietly, obviously trying to relieve the moment's tension.
Ketsueki slowly gets out of the bed, walking over and retrieving his scythe, which sits propped against the wall.
Aisoku blinks, his eyes following Ketsueki.
Ketsueki smirks. "Shall we get this over with, then?"
Aisoku gulps, "W...What do you mean?"
Ketsueki laughs quietly. "I mean, killing you...what else?"
Aisoku frowns, "But..."
Ketsueki scowls. "But what?"
Aisoku sighs, "I don't want to fight you...and if we fight here all these medicines will be destroyed." His eyes roam the walls adorned heavily with shelves.
Ketsueki hms. "That's why we're not going to fight."
Aisoku shakes his head, confused. "But you said..."
Ketsueki shrugs. "I'm just going to cut your head off, no fighting involved."
Aisoku yelps, "N...now hold on..."
Ketsueki walks towards him. "Why? It won't hurt. I'm a clean shot..it'll be done in moments."
Aisoku lifts his body weakly from the bed, stepping away from Ketsueki. "Y...You're joking right...what did I do to make you want to kill me..."
Ketsueki hns. "You attacked me, and didn't follow my instructions to leave the packlands. So you'll die."
"But you attacked me too! And...And I have to search this area!"
Ketsueki takes a step closer. "I attacked you because you didn't listen."
Aisoku steps back again, "You can't....Please don't...I don't want to fight you again."
Ketsueki laughs. "As I said, it's not fighting."
Aisoku growls, "You think I'm just going to let you kill me?!"
Ketsueki smirks. "Why not? It'd save you a lot of pain and grief.."
Aisoku steps back again, "I have things to live for....you do too....we shouldn't be fighting."
Ketsueki growls. "We should be fighting. You won't leave the packlands..."
Aisoku sighs, "I just need to search! If you hadn't attacked me I'd be gone by now!"
Ketsueki hisses quietly. "Just get off the packlands."
Aisoku frowns, "You know I can't..."
Ketsueki tenses. "And just why not? Because you're looking for your beloved father? He can't be all that great if he left you."
Aisoku flinches, "That's...that's not important! I have to find him..."
Ketsueki hns. "Why?"
Aisoku is obviously wounded by the earlier comment, "Sensei instructed me to...that's enough. I have to settle things with him. He's my father."
Ketsueki smirks. "Sounds like all he did was impregnate your mother with you, and then left...though both seem like a pretty bad thing to me."
Aisoku growls, "I have three older siblings! That's not what happened! He had to have a reason...!"
Ketsueki laughs. "Why? He couldn't deal with another child?"
Aisoku winces, "Shut up! Who are you to judge me?! You don't know me...and you don't know my father!"
Ketsueki hms, advancing one more step. "I'll just cut off your head now..then you won't have to worry about it"
Aisoku raises his hands, now curled into fists, "I will fight you, wolf!"
Ketsueki hms quietly. "I'll kill you, half blood." He does one quick swipe with his scythe at Aisoku's head.
Aisoku ducks, moving quickly in towards Ketsueki. He aims a hard kick at the hand holding the scythe.
Ketsueki twists to the side, barely missing Aisoku's foot. "I'll kill you...." He slices again at Aisoku.
Aisoku catches Ketuseki's scythe, barely managing to push it away.
Ketsueki hns. "We could make this easier two ways, you know."
Aisoku frowns, "Oh?"
Ketsueki scowls. "Let me kill you, or get off the packlands. Either way it's simpler for me and you."
Aisoku scowls, "I won't do either and you know it."
Ketsueki growls. "And why not?! I'm exhausted, I want to go back and sleep."
Aisoku frowns, "Then do."
Ketsueki creates a small ball of energy in his hand. "I can't do that until you're either gone or dead." He shoots it quickly at Aisoku.
Aisoku side steps, "Just stop!"
Ketsueki scowl, lunging at him and kicking at his head. "I won't."
Aisoku blocks, jumping back. "Then we have to fight." He moves in, throwing numerous punches at Ketsueki's head.
Ketsueki jumps back and stumbles slightly. "Shall we take this outside? I'd rather not have the healer on my tail because I get your blood everywhere."
Aisoku frowns, "I'm not going anywhere until this fight is over or until you let me search this area."
Ketsueki growls. "The entire packlands are patrolled. There is no one here."
Aisoku frowns, "You can't prove that."
Ketsueki hns. "Why would he be here? It's much too dangerous."
Aisoku frowns, "Can you please just make an exception? If you want money, I have. Service, I'll supply it. Anything. Please, just let me have a quick look around..."
Ketsueki growls. "I don't take bribes."
Aisoku sighs heavily, "Then what DOES work?"
Ketsueki scowls. "Just get off the packlands, I can escort you to the border."
Aisoku frowns, "I...I can't do that."
Ketsueki scowls. "Why not?! Just leave."
"Just let me search for him."
Ketsueki growls. "....maybe...." he mutters. He walks back over to his cot and drops his scythe on the floor, getting under the covers and closing his eyes. "I'll think about it."
Aisoku blinks, "What?" A smile spreads across his lips, "Great!"
Ketsueki growls. "Shut up."
Aisoku smiles, "Gomen..."
Ketsueki tenses. "Just...go to sleep or something."
Aisoku smiles, "Hai." He slips carefully back onto his cot
Ketsueki growls. "And don't think I'm being nice!! I just want to get rid of you!"
Aisoku beams, nodding, "I know."
Ketsueki grumbles to himself, pulling the sheets up over his head.
Aisoku is silent for a long moment, then he murmurs, "Good night."
Ketsueki growls. "Shut up and sleep, half breed."
Aisoku smiles, going silent as commanded.

~Owari~

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