Ichigoichie by MontiK

Tengu

Tengu
Vocab: BouFuu - Windstorm

http:// japanese.about. Com/ library /weekly/aa060403a.htm ← this is a little table showing the different noises animals make in Japanese. (and inu makes a 'Wan Wan' noise in their culture rather than a 'woof' or 'bark')

http:// www .obakemono .com/ obake/tengu/ ← link to info on the Tengu youkai

* * *

Standing on the edge of the cloud castle's platform Lord Togaou watched the ominous storm clouds gather beneath him. The storm would never effect the sky castle, they were too high up, but that wasn't what had him worried. He'd heard of his heir's frequent escapades away from the castle; how the boy disappeared at every opportunity he could. Now his son was once again gone, below the clouds dallying who knows where leaving his father worried. 

Going down to search for him now would be futile. Inu relied almost solely on their nose and ears. All the scents were dampened to near nothing by the rain and the heavy thrum of the droplets hitting the ground nearly drowned out all other noise. For all his power in that moment he was helpless against mother nature. He sighed, wondering if he should call for a capable soldier of another species to go after the boy. Sure Sesshoumaru was capable but it was dangerous, there were a plethora of things that could happen: mudslides, rock slides, thunder strikes. So many possibilities for him to worry over. 

Behind him the flutter of wings made the presence of his silent watcher known. Lord Togaou turned to see the second captain of the castles guard. The dai-Tengu BouFuu, who was in charge of aerial tactics. 

BouFuu was small in stature, maybe no more than five feet tall, but no less intimidating for it. His wings spread encompassed all of thirty feet, demanding a wide birth when he spread them and giving him an undeniable presence. In humanoid form his skin was featherless and smooth but dark as a raven's beak. Brass armor formed tight to his muscled skin over his chest, thighs, and upper arms. The metal was inlaid with colorful patterns of jade an turquoise. Though Lord Togaou was more of a function over fashion sort and normally demanded the same of his soldiers trying to get the bird not to surround himself in shiny things was like stopping a panda from eating bamboo;simply impossible. 

"You require my assistance Lord Togaou?" BouFuu bowed low as he addressed him. His voice was thick, very deep with only a slight undertone of a coarse raven's call that made him sound more husky, it wasn't what someone would expect from a creature like him but it added to his charisma. 

Taking one last look at the roiling clouds, watching them glow and spark with unseen thunder, Togaou decided it would be best to send him out. BouFuu was a powerful flyer with sharp eyes, he would withstand the wind and be able to see his son through the rain. 

Nodding he gestured out to the clouds with a wave of his hand, "Retrieve Sesshoumaru," he ordered simply. 

BouFuu stepped stepped to the edge and spread his wings ready to take off just before turning back with a cheshire grin and jesting, "Wan wan! Yes milord!" Then leapt off into the sky to fly away before he felt the reprimanding sting of Togaou's whip. Tricksters would be tricksters as was a Tengu's nature and some times it was irresistible to needle at the square old dog despite what trouble it might land him in. 

All Togaou did was scowl after his retreating form. If BouFuu came back with his son unharmed he might, just might, forgive inu joke. 

* * *

Sesshoumaru sat curled around Kagome's small form, shielding her from the wind and rain where they sat on the mountain side, with the mass of his canine shape. He'd brought her up there for a surprise but the storm had some on so sudden they hadn't had time to take shelter. If it were just himself he wouldn't worry it wouldn't be to hard to transform and find a place to say but with Kagome it was much more difficult. It was too easy for her to be toppled from his back and it was too cold for him to hold her by the scruff of her kimono in his mouth because that was she would have no protection from elements. 

He heard her whimper as another flash of lightening struck, "Sesshoumaru.. it's so cold," she squeaked. He tightened himself around her to further shield her from the wind and gave what he hoped was a reassuring growl. The mountain was already saturated with water and the thick brown mud stained his and made it more difficult to gain traction on the ground but he managed. 

Just as he started to slip a little further down the mountain side as the mud gave way beneath him he heard an obnoxious call over the screaming wind. 

"I could smell the wet dog from a mile away, young master! Even with my nose!" Sesshoumaru squinted his eyes against the rain and growled up at the bird, now was not a time he appreciated his antics. 

Kagome clutched to his fur not sure what he was turning to look at since she couldn't hear as well as him but she still didn't want to brave the rain to see what it was that caught his attention. 

BouFuu hovered in front of his face, flapping his wings to stay there for a moment. "Oh quiet, you're starting to sound like your father!" 

Momentarily the dai-Tengu wondered exactly why Sesshoumaru hadn't attempted to return to the castle himself, or at least find a cave. He was more than capable and in his inu form he wasn't as vulnerable to the elements. That was until Sesshoumaru stood, carefully balancing on the slippery slope but still carefully guarding the young human girl from the wind and rain.

Sesshoumaru released a low thrumming growl that definitively said 'Take her' and stepped back to allow BouFuu the space to swoop in and pick her up, which he did without protest still a bit shocked at the young master's actions. 

Kagome huddled up in his grasp so keep warm, she was awed by the small glimpse of the bird like youkai she received but further perusal would would have to wait until a less dire time. 

Holding the shivering girl he watched the white dog bound up the mountain side, "What are you doing?!" He shouted over the wind, "I have to take you back to the castle!" He cried again. The wind was picking up now to a roaring rip that would even make it difficult for him to fly. 

Sesshoumaru leaned down to pick what they'd originally came up the mountain for before running back to BouFuu and ahead of him to lead him to Kagome's village. 

They set down just outside of Kagome's hut home and BouFuu curled his wings around the entrance for momentary shelter. Sesshoumaru reverted to his human form to bid farewell to Kagome before they left. The purple blossom he'd picked he held out to her, "A... A late birthday present," he stuttered while blushing. It was hard enough doing things like this without the overly comical Tengu hovering over them. 

Kagome took the lavender blossom with a pleased smile and hugged him tight. She was versed in the meaning of flowers by her grandfather and knew lavender meant faithful. His gift was a testimony to the strength of their friendship. Reluctantly she bade him and BouFuu farewell, hoping to meet the Tengu later on, he was an interesting creature, before running to shelter of indoors. 

"Good Bye, Sesshoumaru! And Thank you," she shouted from her place poking just her arm and hand out of the hut's door while waving until they disappeared into the sky. 

Sesshoumaru hung grumpily beneath BouFuu as they flew back to the castle, unhappy about being retrieved as if he were a youngling. He held the Tengu's wrists tight as BouFuu held his, the elements weren't too harsh for him to endure and it would be only an hours flying to get back to the castle. 

He heard a snigger from the bird above him and knew whatever was coming couldn't be good. "So who's your little friend young master?" The Tengu grinned. 

The flight back home felt very long.