Shirayuki descended from the mountainside as lightly as a feather borne by the wind. The hem of her pale moon-white robes billowed like clouds, drifting down upon the flurrying snow.
Karan's flames and Shūran's lightning clashed violently with the demonic power of Seiten and the Dog Clan captains.
Amidst the oppressive sky shrouded by dark clouds, their radiance split the heavens open—illuminating Shirayuki's delicate silhouette.
That peerless face, crowned by the crescent moon sigil upon her brow, made Tōran's pupils contract sharply. Her expression froze.
"Your opponent is me."
Shirayuki's clear voice rang like silver chimes in the frozen night, ringing with unshakable pride.
Even as the words lingered, she leapt aloft, graceful as a white crane. Her sword traced arcs of moonlight through the air, scattering as countless shining stars.
Tōran instinctively leaned back, a lock of her ice-blue hair severed by the blade. As it fell, it struck the ground with the brittle chime of shattered jade.
"The Dog General's noble daughter? Why would she appear here at the border?!"
Shaken by the sudden revelation, countless thoughts raced through Tōran's mind—but in the clash of steel and life, there was no time for answers.
She rallied her will, and with a fierce cry, swung her sword of ice.
"Ice Wall!"
A thick barrier of frozen crystal surged up around her, translucent yet solid as stone, emanating a killing frost.
Shirayuki's blade struck it with a clear, ringing crack. The ice splintered instantly, fissures spreading like spiderwebs as shards fell and mist billowed.
"With such paltry skill, you hardly deserve Tōga's praise."
Her crescent brows arched, eyes flashing with open disdain.
She stepped lightly upon the snow, soaring upward in a dancer's turn, swift and nimble as a swallow.
"Moonlight Shattering Star Slash!"
From above, her sword shone with a radiant crescent, falling like a silver cascade—an arc of moonlight laden with killing intent.
Tōran poured power into her barrier. The wall burst outward into a storm of razor-edged icicles, raining toward Shirayuki with a chill that froze the very air.
But the silver-haired maiden spun in midair, her blade weaving a shield of moonlight, deflecting the icy storm with ringing clashes.
"If I can take her quickly, even unforeseen changes will be manageable."
Tōran's gaze hardened. As Shirayuki deflected the shards, she spread her power once more.
"Ice Prison!"
From beneath Shirayuki's feet, a massive cage of interlocked ice rose in an instant, sealing her within its crystalline walls.
Yet Shirayuki's composure did not waver.
"Moon-Soul Skyfall!"
With a flash in her eyes, she thrust her sword forward. Moonlight burst from its edge, shattering the prison apart.
The clean split gleamed like a mirror, reflecting her unwavering form.
Reversing her grip, she struck again, her sword lancing for Tōran's throat.
Tōran met the blow with a desperate parry. Steel rang against ice with a thunderclap, the shock numbing her arms.
Using the force of the clash, she flung herself backward, retreating dozens of meters.
"Is this all the cats can muster?"
Shirayuki leveled her blade at Tōran, her tone cold as midwinter frost, laced with scorn.
"…Is that so? Then behold!"
Her eyes blazed, suffused with icy blue power. Around her, the snow and wind began to resonate, swelling in sympathy with her call.
She cast one glance across the battlefield—blood spattering, comrades roaring, chaos consuming all.
And with a defiant howl, her demonic power burst forth, hurling the snow into a storm of icy blades.
"Ice Tide Fury!"
Her sword swept down, unleashing a crashing wave of jagged frost, thundering toward Shirayuki like an army on the march.
But Shirayuki stood unshaken. Her sword flared with moonlight, power pooling at its tip.
"Moonlight Aegis!"
A radiant shield blossomed before her, soft yet unbreakable. The icy tide crashed against it in a storm of sparks and frost, but could not breach it.
Shards glittered and died like phantom blossoms in the moon's glow.
Tōran only grew more resolute. Summoning all her might, she called forth an icy phantom—a colossal snow beast in the shape of a panther, roaring as it charged. The frozen ground cracked beneath its steps.
"Ice Beast Manifest!"
The monstrous avatar lunged with teeth bared.
Shirayuki drew a breath, her aura surging. The fang-forged sword in her hand sang with power.
"Eclipse: Celestial Prison."
Her body rose into the air, blade pointed skyward.
Moonlight split the clouds as a pillar of silver light descended, enfolding her in its glow. From it poured countless blades of radiance, raining down upon the ice beast.
The collision shook heaven and earth. The beast's body split apart in an explosion of light and shards.
Tōran roared, raising her sword for one final strike.
But Shirayuki was already there. She moved like a streak of moonlight, appearing before Tōran in a blink.
Her blade flashed once, swift and merciless.
Instinct screamed at Tōran to move, her muscles straining to the limit—but Shirayuki's speed was absolute.
She saw only the gleam of steel, cold and final.
The sword traced across her throat.
Time seemed to hold its breath. Then, blood burst forth in a crimson arc, scattering against the snow.
Tōran's body crumpled backward like a kite cut free.
Her head spun through the air, eyes still wide with unwilling terror, lips trembling with unspoken words—falling at last into the snow.
Blood bloomed scarlet against the white, while in the sky above, fire raged unchecked.
─── ⋆⋅ ♰ ⋅⋆ ───
[T/N: In the anime and manga series Inuyasha, the King of the Dogs, is also known as the Dog General. Atleast that's what Tōga was called in the original story; Inu no Taishō (犬いぬの大たい将しょう, "Great Dog General") or Inu no Daiyōkai (犬いぬの大だい妖よう怪かい, "Great Dog-Demon")]