InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Not A Simple Thief ❯ past, present, future ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter Five

 

“Careful. That stings.” Kagome winced as Keiko changed the bandages for her wounds.

“You should really rest for a while after this. Sesshoumaru's poison is similar to acid. It did a lot of internal damage. It's amazing that you didn't faint right then.”

She gave a weak laugh and said, “A good thing too, otherwise it would be all over.” Just as she finished tying her kimono together, a nock was heard.

Shizuru who had been silently drinking her tea all this time stood up and slid open the screen. It was the sight of a black haired demon that greeted her. Judging by the uniform he adorned, he was probably a colonel in the Western army. At first she thought the guy got the wrong room but then he started asking to see Keiko. That was when Keiko came see who it was. As soon as she saw the newcomer, she excused herself and the two left together.

Going calmly back to her previous position, Shizuru slipped at her tea. “I didn't know the girl had it in her. Not even two full days and already she has them coming to her.”

Kagome giggled a bit. No long did she have the demeanor of a princess on a mission. She talked and joked as any other teenage girl would have. All the tension from when she first came back wounded was melted away.

When Keiko came back a few minutes later, she was teased mercilessly. “Stop it you two, it's not what you think.”

“Oh? The blush on your face says otherwise.” Shizuru taunted.

With no little desperation, Keiko tried to explain, “He's a friend from my village before it was destroyed.” All playfulness faded away as sadness slipped into her voice. “His name is Yusuke. I have known him since as early as I could remember. He had always looked out for me.

“Because his mother give birth too him before she was married, he was discriminated. Most people would stay as far away from him as possible. Others would go to the extent of beating him senselessly. Because few people would employ his mother, he was often starved. I remember seeing him going hunting in the woods, but he would always come back empty handed. My own family was not that well of, but sometimes father would invite him and his mother to dine with us. That's how I got to know him.” Keiko had a sad smile on her face. Neither of her friends wanted to force her to remember all the sad memories, but she continued on.

“Before meeting him here, I thought he had died during the fire when the village was burned to the ground. Apparently he went to get water at the stream at the time. He thought I was died along with everyone else. I would have, if the Lady didn't save me and gave me a place to stay at the castle.”

Seeing her friend's mood turning for the worse, Kagome attempted to turn the topic away from the past. “Shizuru, you said this Yusuke is probably a colonel in Sesshoumaru's army.” Shizuru nodded.

“Considering his background, for him to rise to that position when he's so young, he must be something.” Kagome had a calculating glint in her eyes. At that instant, both Keiko and Shizuru knew that Kagome is going back into the role of the Northern princess again.

Keiko was worried. She just came back wounded; surely she's not planning to take actions again so soon. Plus, I don't want to get Yusuke involved. “What are you saying?”

Her question was left unanswered. Instead Kagome said, “I know you are deeply attached to him and that you trust him as your childhood friend, but I want you to find out if he is trustworthy now. After all, a person could changed drastically over the years.”

“Why do you want to know if he is trustworthy?”

“There hadn't been a war in a long time. Most of the generals in the army are fools who got to where they are only by relations which is useless in battle. Others might have the skills, but are too old to lead. If he's trustworthy and has real talent, then he is wasted in his current position. I could give him a one way ticket up to the top.”

Keiko nodded in understanding. “I will do my best to help.”

 

Kagome reached her destination with measured strides. She stood in front of the war room. Just as she was about to slide the shoji open and enter, two stone-faced guards in front of the screen crossed their spears. “What is the meaning of this?” She demanded. “There's a meeting in there that I have to attend.”

“Sorry, girl. But woman aren't allowed in the war room.” The guard looked down over his nose at the Northern princess.

“You are talking to the representative of the Northern Lands. Move aside.” Her fist clenched as she swallowed her anger. Kagome dismissed the guards and reached the screen once again. Just like before, her path was blocked. Her eyes narrowed as she turned to the guard, her mind made up. She was going to teach him a lesson.

Judging by their uniform, both guards were of average rank. Yet here they are showing such disrespect. If I don't do something, I will never be respected by anyone here. “I see, so this is how the guard in the West are trained to treat their guests.” Kagome relaxed her stance and let her energy seep through her skin. The wind circled around her. Both guard shifted nervously.

Just then an unexpected voice caught the trio's attention. “Please excuse their insolence. They know no better.” The old demon who was recognized as Sesshoumaru's first adviser approached them. He gave an apologetic smile and slid the shoji open for Kagome to enter. When she did, he turned around to the two nervous looking guards. “You two are lucky. If it were Lord Sesshoumaru who caught you in your foolish actions…”

“But we were just following the rules. She's a girl, we couldn't let her in there.”

The old demon sighed. “The circumstance is different. She's different. Next time, show some respect. It wouldn't do any if us any good if she decided to call off the alliance before it's even started.” I certainly hope all the other lords and generals saw her importance. He sighed again before going into the war room.

The war room was simple. Around the sides of the room hung different maps. A few dozen of low tables were put into an “n” shape. There were no windows; the only light source was the numerous candles found around the chamber. Four guards were stationed at the four corners. Servants were found serving tea to each person of importance.

Just as Kagome found her appropriate place within the room, Sesshoumaru came in and the room fell into silence. He then sat down behind the low table at the very end, where he began to speak. “I had just received a report of the situation in the south from Lord Amako. It would seem in the last two days we have lost most of Choshu. A majority of the troops we sent there is now gone.”

The room stayed quiet before one of the generals spoke up. “Milord, please allow me to analyze the situation for a bit.” He saw Sesshoumaru's sign of approval and continued. “The Western land is a long stretch of land along the west side of the Honshu Island. Despite the huge area it covered, the land was spread out. This gives us a huge boarder and our forces are forced to spread apart to protect it. Though our soldiers have great skills, the enemy has greater numbers. Their so-called troops were simply a mass of low class demons, but their sheer number would always overwhelm us. After awhile, our exhausted troops won't stand a chance. Now if we could concentrate our forces on one point in the front, we could switch from defense to offence.”

“What do you suggest we do with the boards that would be left undefended?” One of the lesser lords interrupted.

The general had a nonchalant look on his face as he replied, “we are losing those lands neither way, and it's better to strike back once than not at all.”

“So you are saying that we should just abandon the lands that has been in our families for generations?” One outraged demon stood up as he slammed his hand on the table. Other raged voices followed.

“Quiet.” Sesshoumaru's cold voice suddenly cut through the room. The angry demon sat down back into his set. All the others shut their mouth. “You came here seeking my help. You pledge to me. At that moment, you and your land are mine to do as I see fit. There will be no disruption like this in my council in the future. Now, continue General.”

“Well, I would recommend concentrating our forces to the north. That way, we could have a close contact with our allies in the Northern Land. Also, we would only have to deal with the East then.”

“No, it wouldn't do. Important cities in the south would be lost. Cities like Kyoto are both political and economical centers. The loss could be vital.” Kagome who had been silent all this time finally spoke up. All eyes turned to the petite girl. Some were filled with wonder, but most are skeptical.

“You have a better idea then?” the general challenged.

Can't a girl get some respect around here? First the guards, now the general? Kagome was quickly getting annoyed, but she kept her cool. “As a matter of fact, I do.”

“Let's hear it then.” Sesshoumaru was impatient to hear what she had to say.

Kagome turned to address the Western Lord. “As the General said before, the strength of the East and the South lies in the number of their troops. If we get new recruits and expand our army, the problem would be solved.”

The General laughed out loudly. With an arrogant smirk, he said, “ha, and here I thought you actually have a plan. Girl, every able-bodied demon in the western land has already been drafted, where do you suggest we get the new recruits. We can't draft low class demons; they are capable of nothing except for running away when they see the enemy is greater in number.”

Kagome couldn't help but notice Sesshoumaru's intense gaze on her. It was as if he thought that if he stared hard enough he would be able to read her mind. Despite how unnerving it is, she remained calm. “It is exactly as you said. Every demon is already fighting in the war, but did it escape you that there are plenty of humans who can fight? It is also their land that are being taken, their homes that are being destroyed. Train them, and give them a chance to defend themselves.”

Just then, the room was silent. If a pin was to drop, it would sound like thunder.

“You are out of your mind.” One of the lords finally broke the silence.

Surprisingly, Sesshoumaru seem to think otherwise. “It might work. The huge human population can finally be put to use this way. Lady Kagome, please stay after the meeting and we will work out the details.” At her nod, Sesshoumaru turned to address the officer that's in charge of the new recruits. “You too stay after.”

There were a many quite protests against the northern Princess's plan, but Sesshoumaru ignored them and ended the meeting.

 

A/N: wow, I think that's my longest chapter so far. I can finally go into the real plot now. Stay tuned everyone. This is just the beginning. For all those Kurama and Hiei fans out there, don't worry. They will be coming soon.

Attention all readers, please read and review, so I know people are actually reading this. I know I rarely respond to the reviews, but I do read them. I just don't want the responses to be as long as the chapters.