InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Kiss for A Prince ❯ An Alliance Grows Stronger ( Chapter 8 )

Disclaimer: SF: I no own, so you no sue. You wouldn't get a crumb anyways. Oh yeah, and I made a big mistake in chapter four: Homecomings. I made Onigumo InuTaishou's advisor. It's supposed to be Jaken. It'll get fixed sooner or later, but I just thought to correct you now. Onigumo's not here yet. Give him a moment.

Chapter Eight: An Alliance Grows Stronger

'Where is he?' Sesshoumaru wondered as he peered into the empty throne room. 'You would think he would have retired to his chambers by now.' In his hand rested an important document, one that had just arrived a few moments ago. His search for InuTaishou was proving to be futile, as all the places he checked came up empty.

Sesshoumaru finally stepped outside the castle and toward the Inner Gate, allowing his sense of smell to guide him toward his mother's garden. He flew over the wall and toward the scent, and was instantly surprised to find Kagome alone inside InuTaishou's protection shield. The wind shifted just as Sesshoumaru thought to land, his nose once more pointing in another direction. He followed it again, this time the scent leading him to the meadow and the taiyoukai himself.

"Sesshoumaru," InuTaishou greeted from his position on the ground. Sesshoumaru said nothing, merely landed before him and sat down.

"Is there something on your mind?" InuTaishou asked after a moment.

"Why is my ward inside a barrier?" Sesshoumaru asked cooly, his calm voice belying the slight tenseness in his shoulders. InuTaishou chuckled, taking a moment to pluck a blade of grass. "Are you worried Sesshoumaru?" he inquired as he held the grass up to his face and studied it in the moonlight. His amusement grew when Sesshoumaru remained silent, his hand opening to release the blade to the swirling winds before finally answering him.

"Would you like it any other way, especially with her so close to the Wild Territory?"

Sesshoumaru thought a moment, figuring that it was a wise decision should the barriers around the area fail. "Can she leave it of her own free will?" he asked, instantly satisfied with InuTaishou's nod. "This arrived earlier this evening." He handed the scroll to InuTaishou and waited patiently as he skimmed over the document.

InuTaishou sighed heavily, re-closed the scroll and handed it to Sesshoumaru. "So, the Dark Army has spread to the northern territories. It would figure, with how calm things have been. So, when do you wish to leave?"

"As soon as possible," Sesshoumaru answered. "There is no need for postponing the inevitable."

"Quite." InuTaishou stood up and brushed the grass from his hakamas, then gazed into the starless sky above them. "Then I suggest you leave the day after tomorrow. That way you will have an extra day to prepare, and the castle can give you a proper send off."

"Fine," Sesshoumaru accepted. "Then we shall announce my departure in the morning."

*

>Knock-Knock!<

"Wha…" Kagome moaned groggily, her eyes bleary as she searched the dark room for the noise. "Who is it?"

"It's me Kagome," Inuyasha called into the room. "Wake up! There's an important announcement today, and everyone in the castle has to be there!"

"Alright," Kagome yawned, then sat up and dug around her clothes closet for her training gi.

"Oh, and Kagome. Morning lessons have been canceled for the day!"

'It must be something important,' Kagome thought to him as she searched for something else to wear.

'It is as far as I know of,' Inuyasha answered. 'All I know is that Sesshoumaru's going to do something. Hurry up. I don't take that long to get dressed.'

'You really should learn some patience Inuyasha,' Kagome commented, giggling at his instant 'Feh!'

****

SF: Instant Feh! When you're too busy to brew it from scratch!

****

Kagome emerged from her room a few minutes later, dressed in a navy blue day skirt, white blouse and her day cape. "Thanks for waking me up," Kagome said as they made their way to the throne room. "Where's Nassi?"

"Nassi and the others are in the throne room. The grand generals have to assemble there and stay there while the rest of the castle arrives, then stand in the same place until the last person is gone or they're dismissed."

"That sounds awful," Kagome sympathized. "How long have they been standing there?"

"This will be the second hour, and the sun hasn't rose yet," Inuyasha answered. "But don't worry. They're used to that kind of thing, especially Kilik."

'There's that 'Especially Kilik' thing again,' Kagome thought to herself as they approached the throne room. The doors were open and everyone in the castle seemed to be in attendance. Kagome was awestruck at the amount of people, so much so that she didn't notice Inuyasha's absence until someone tapped on her shoulder.

"Forgive me for startling you," a female hanyou whispered. "But Inuyasha-sama asked that you stay here."

"Where is he?" Kagome asked.

"He's at the front of the throne room with lords Sesshoumaru and InuTaishou. There's to be an important announcement today."

"So I've heard," Kagome muttered to herself. "What's your name?"

"My name?" she repeated, then blushed and smiled. "I'm Crystal, my lady."

"Please, call me Kagome," Kagome asked, smiling when greenish blue eyes smiled back at her.

"Ladies and gentle-youkai of the courts," Kilik announced loudly, effectively quieting the muttering around him. "May I present to you InuTaishou-sama, Taiyoukai of the Western Providences."

InuTaishou settled into the throne at the front of the room, with Sesshoumaru standing on his right and Inuyasha on his left. He scanned the crowd before him, pausing at Kagome a moment before clearing his throat.

"There has been news that our neighbors to the north have been touched by the plague that is the Dark Army," he began, listening as the crowd began to buzz around him before continuing. "There has been word sent to the Great Taiyoukai to assist in evicting the menace from the Northern Providence. We will see Sesshoumaru-sama and his party off tomorrow. Who of our army shall accompany you?" InuTaishou asked as he turned to Sesshoumaru.

"No one. I wish to travel alone."

This rattled the crowd once again as InuTaishou breathed a sigh of aggravation. "Very well. We shall all stand at the Inner Gate tomorrow to see you go. Godspeed, my son. Everyone is dismissed."

Kagome stood quietly as the others filed out of the throne room past her, then quickly grasped Nassi's arm before she could walk away.

"Ow! Jeez Kagome! I saw you there!" Nassi complained while Kagome jerked the youkai up the steps to the library. "What's so important?"

"How long will Sesshoumaru-sama be gone?" Kagome asked as Kilik and Keni'Chi came up the stairs. Nassi thought a minute, then shrugged. "I honestly don't know. Kilik, do you have any idea?"

"Let's see…" Kilik sat down in a nearby chair, placed his staff between his feet, pressed his forehead against it and began to think. "The kingdom of Damascas, which is two days from here, lies a little between the Northern and Western borders."

"Directly between?" Kagome asked. Kilik shook his head. "No, it's more on the Western side of the border, which is what makes you one of the western subjects. It takes two days to get from here to Damascas, another two days to reach the border and another…" Kilik started counting on his fingers, stopped a moment, then began to count again. "Another three days to reach the center of the Northern kingdom where the capitol is. He'll most likely stay a week to help with defenses and such, then return home. All in all, he should be gone at least three weeks if it's by horseback."

"Three weeks!" Kagome exclaimed, then blushed in embarrassment. "Forgive me Kilik. I never thought he would be away for so long."

"It is a short time compared to ningen," Kilik answered. "If I were to go, I would not be back for at least three months."

"Just wait until after the coronation," Keni'Chi stated. "He will be traveling all the time, trying to keep peace within the countries."

"Oh," Kagome muttered dejectedly. "I see."

"But no worries princess," Keni'Chi said as he, Kilik and Nassi threw an arm around her. "We'll still be here."

Kagome giggled and returned the impromptu hug, her spirits lifted as they separated. "Thanks you guys. I needed that."

"Something else you need is sleep," Nassi said. "I'll walk you to your room. I'm supposed to report to Sesshoumaru-dono as soon as possible."

"Alright then," Kagome agreed, then turned and waved at Keni'Chi and Kilik. "I'll see you guys soon."

*

Inuyasha followed InuTaishou out of the throne room after the announcement, waiting for his father to acknowledge him as he ascended the stairs toward his chambers. InuTaishou opened his door and stepped inside, leaving Inuyasha to wait outside his chamber door.

"Come in Inuyasha," InuTaishou called moments later. "You know you don't have to stand outside like a pup anymore."

"You're the one that's always asking me to be polite," Inuyasha growled as he stepped in and closed the door.

InuTaishou nodded in agreement, then gestured to a nearby chair. "Now what is it?" he asked when Inuyasha sat down.

"It started the day we arrived here with Kagome," Inuyasha began. "We were inside the mountain defense when I heard her voice in my mind."

"Go on," InuTaishou coaxed after leaning back in his chair and resting his fingertips against each other. [SF: For a visual idea, think of Mr. Burns on 'The Simpsons'.}

"It stopped when we left it, but it started up again a couple of days ago," Inuyasha explained. "Kagome said that she knew the reason why we could do it, but she couldn't tell me because you said not to. So why can't she and why can we talk to each other like that?"

InuTaishou stood up and opened his door, peered to the outside and shut it again before addressing Inuyasha again. "You must promise not to tell a soul. Not the generals, not Sesshoumaru, not one living soul."

"Yeah, I promise," Inuyasha replied, his brow knitted together in confusion. "But what's so important?"

InuTaishou took a deep breath, released it and said "Kagome is a miko. Miroku and I are training her to use her ki."

All was silent in the room, with nothing but the soft clicking of Inuyasha's claws against the arms of his chair.

"Sesshoumaru's going to have a fit," Inuyasha finally said. InuTaishou growled in annoyance, sinking back to his chair with a hand plastered to his forehead. "You're telling me. However, he is not to know until it is time."

"But won't he be just a little upset to find out that you're training her?!" Inuyasha accused hotly. "He's going to have crow!"

"The expression is cow," InuTaishou corrected. "At least, I think it's cow."

"You know how Sesshoumaru feels about mikos!" Inuyasha continued. "He'll kill her!"

"Did he kill her mother?" InuTaishou asked.

"No, but what does that have to do with-"

"One of the reasons we allied ourselves with the kingdom Damascas was for her mother's power," InuTaishou explained. "Her mother lost that power some time before Kagome was born. Now, 500 years later, her daughter appears to have at least twice as much power as her mother. We could use such a strength to fight the Dark Army, and even you are aware of the consequences of leaving a miko untrained."

"Yeah," Inuyasha grumbled. "A potential fire hazard."

"Exactly. Not only am I teaching her how to protect herself, I am protecting those around her as well. Speaking of which," InuTaishou sat up, his golden eyes locking with Inuyasha's. "I want you to protect her."

"Who?" Inuyasha stammered. "Me?"

"Yes, you. Out of all the youkai here, she trusts you the most. She even tries to protect you at times. You're able to speak to her because she allows it."

"I see," Inuyasha said thoughtfully as he brought a hand up to his chin. He shrugged soon after and frowned at his father's smile. "I guess I will, but when it all falls down, don't look at me."

"What does that mean?" InuTaishou asked as Inuyasha opened the door.

"Um, I'm not sure," Inuyasha said with a pause. "I just know it's something bad."

"Well, thank you for the warning," InuTaishou said jovially. "And Inuyasha?"

"Yes Father?"

"For the duration Sesshoumaru's leave, I wish for you to train with Keni'Chi during the afternoons, and you are free to help the generals with Kagome's lessons in the morning."

"But why?" Inuyasha asked as he re-shut the door. "Are you trying to pawn me off on them?"

"No, it's not that at all," InuTaishou said with a quick shake of his head. "I think you would enjoy Keni'Chi's lessons better than your old katas, and I do not want to have to repeat the same lessons to Sesshoumaru upon his arrival. Do not tell me that you enjoy your morning classes?"

Inuyasha shivered violently then shook his head.

"Well then," InuTaishou said as he turned to his desk. "I shall see you at dinner."

*

Nassi stilled a moment, then knocked on the door. "Come in," Sesshoumaru called seconds later before the door to his room slid open. Nassi stepped in quietly, then bowed in the center of the room as Sesshoumaru looked over one of the shelves of his library.

"You summoned me Sesshoumaru-dono?" Nassi asked, but received nothing but silence. She continued to kneel in the center of the room, her irritation at being ignored growing for some time before Sesshoumaru finally answered her.

"Yes, I did. I wish to know of the ningen's training," he replied while he took a seat in a nearby chair. Nassi rose to her feet and kept her head down as she began her report.

"Kagome-san is quite clever my lord," Nassi said fondly. "She is learning everything we teach her at an amazingly quick rate. She has finished the inu youkai and ookami youkai lessons, and today we wished to begin her kitsune training."

"Truly a subject she must learn," Sesshoumaru agreed. "Since we have a few on the army. Continue."

"Her riding lessons are complete as of yesterday," Nassi informed him. "So I've been wanting to teach her some other classes."

'Such as?" Sesshoumaru inquired dryly.

"Proper etiquette of a lady of the court, a little dance, and stealth."

"I do believe that one of those three does not belong," Sesshoumaru stated. "For what purpose should she learn stealth?"

"To ensure that, among human and lower level enemies, she will go undetected in dire situations. It would become a part of her defensive training."

"I see. How is her defensive training?"

"It fairs well," Nassi replied. "She is nearly ready for her first test."

"Good. See that she is prepared." He stood up and returned the shelf, his mind wandering slightly before dismissing Nassi from the room.

*

Kagome and Nassirudden entered the dining room hours later, only to have Jaken stop Kagome on the way inside. "You, girl!" he squawked loudly. "I'm talking to you!"

"Leave her alone Jaken!" Nassi growled dangerously. "No one wants to look at your face before dinner!"

"Shut your trap Feathers!" he fired back, then squeaked in fright and hid behind Kagome's leg. Kagome looked down on him in sympathy, then turned to Nassi with a smile.

"It's alright Nassi," she told her, then bowed respectfully to Jaken. "What may I do for you Jaken-sama?"

Jaken blinked in shock, then recovered and said quickly "InuTaishou-sama says for you to follow me and do exactly as I say!"

"Well, I guess that means I have to. Tell the others that I will meet them at the library."

"I will," Nassi called as Kagome and Jaken turned the corner and waked down another corridor. He opened a set of double doors, leaving Kagome to stand in the middle of them before turning back and hurrying her along.

"Come on girl," he ordered with a shove of his staff. "It's just the infantry. They have no interest in the likes of you." To the contrary, all eyes seemed to be on Kagome the instant Jaken shoved the cafeteria doors open. Kagome looked to each youkai with a gentle smile before spotting someone familiar.

"Remus! Jaken-sama, wait a moment!"

Jaken turned irritably, then squawked in panic while she ran up to the cheetah youkai and gave him a hug. To his surprise Remus hugged her back, his yellowish-green eyes sparkling down at the little human fondly.

"How are you Kagome-sama?" he asked with a bow. Kagome scowled and playfully swatted his arm, unknowingly causing the entire army to cringe around her.

'Surely he'll kill her now,' Jaken dreaded as he hurried over to them. 'Remus is the type to not take to ningen kindly.'

To his wonder however, all Remus did was smile and dodge her next hit with a laugh. "Forgive me Kagome-san. I forgot you asked to not be called that."

"Its alright," Kagome forgave quickly. "How are you?"

"I'm perfectly fine," he answered. "I can't wait until our day off so we can go-"

"That's enough gossiping!" Jaken interrupted with a shake of his staff. "Come on girl! We have work to do!"

"Alright. I must be going Remus. If you leave before I see you again, tell your family hello for me!" Kagome called as Jaken grabbed her arm and dragged her from the room to the kitchens. He took a minute to sniff her, and between her natural scent and the smells of the kitchen he could barely make out the baked sand of Remus' scent.

"Just great!" Jaken groaned. "Now you have to change clothes!"

"But why?" Kagome asked as Jaken pulled her toward a nearby table. "What's wrong with my clothes?"

"You smell like that cheetah now! Are you too stupid to follow my instructions?" Jaken yelled, then cried out when one of the cooks tapped a wooden spoon upside his head.

"That will teach that little monster," she growled as she walked away. Kagome covered her mouth with her hands while Jaken scurried after the cook as another walked up to Kagome.

"Hello child," she greeted pleasantly. "I'm Diandra, and I'm the head chef. You must be Kagome."

"Yes, but how did you-"

"Jaken has complained about having to get you for hours now," Diandra said with a laugh. "But you should ignore him. He's a lot of bark, but no bite so long as you get that staff away from him."

"Thanks," Kagome giggled as Jaken hurried back. "I'll remember that."

"What kind of foolishness are you feeding her Diandra?" Jaken demanded. Diandra smiled and shrugged. "I assure you Jaken-sama, I'm merely preparing her tray."

"See that that's all you do," Jaken grumbled irritably. Diandra rolled her eyes dramatically, then passed Kagome a tray with three covered bowls, a carafe of sake and a few drinking bowls.

"Here you go darling," she said as she handed the tray over. Kagome struggled to grasp the end, then yelped in surprise when Jaken jabbed her in the side.

"Don't you dare drop that!" he ordered, then held the door open for her. "Let's go! I haven't got all night!"

Kagome bid Diandra goodbye and left the kitchen, making sure to bid Remus goodbye as well before finally leaving the cafeteria. Jaken turned right, then left before opening the door to the outside. "Let's go!" he pestered as he walked the covered walkway to Sesshoumaru's wing. "You're to change as soon as possible."

'I still don't see why I have to,' Kagome grumbled mentally. 'But I suppose I should humor the little fellow. After all, he does seem to get a rough deal around here.' Kagome followed him inside Sesshoumaru's wing to the second floor, then set the tray down when he stopped beside her room.

"Hurry and change!" he ordered as he opened her door and practically flung her inside before closing it again. "And be sure to be presentable!"

"You just be sure to stay outside!" Kagome shot back, not putting it past the little toad to walk in while she was topless.

"What would I want to look at your disgusting ningen body for?" Jaken hollered into the room. "I have better things to do with my time."

Kagome rolled her eyes, then shook her head and opened her closet door.

*

Sesshoumaru sat at his desk inside his library, one hand cradling his forehead while the claws of the other tapped the desk surface before grasping a nearby brush. 'I wonder where my quills have run off to,' he thought to himself as he dipped the end of the brush into the ink pot. 'I rather detest the smell of these brushes.'

He looked up from his writings when the tapping of Jaken's staff against the stone floor outside echoed on the steps at the other end of the hallway. 'What is he up to now?' Sesshoumaru wondered before returning to his work. He vaguely listened to the little toad's squawking, and the pitter-pattering of another's feet with the creature before their scents approached his door.

'Now what?' Sesshoumaru bemoaned while inhaling a whiff of Jaken's mossy, swamp-like scent. He paused at once, his nose not only detecting Jaken's scent but the scent of another. 'Why is she-'

>Knock-Knock!<

Sesshoumaru schooled his face back to it's indifferent mask, though his curiosity practically burned on the inside. "Enter."

"Stay here," he heard Jaken say moments before he slid the shoji door open and stepped inside. "Sesshoumaru-sama," he greeted with a low bow. "Forgive this lowly Jaken for disturbing one such as-"

"Kindly get to the point Jaken," Sesshoumaru interrupted wryly. "I have much to do."

"Of course." Jaken straightened himself, then said "InuTaishou-sama decided that, since my lord has to start out so early, it would be wise if you take your dinner in your chambers instead of venturing out." He opened the door and pulled Kagome inside by her arm, making sure to deposit her in the middle of the room before readdressing Sesshoumaru.

"InuTaishou-sama also asked that you remember her classes. Good day Sesshoumaru-sama." Jaken quit the room upon Sesshoumaru's dismissal, leaving Sesshoumaru and Kagome to themselves as Sesshoumaru secretly drank in Kagome's presence.

She stood quietly with the large silver tray grasped firm enough for her knuckles to whiten. She trembled slightly, the tiny sound of the bowls ringing against their covers sweetly chiming inside the room. She wore a petal pink kimono with a blood red obi that tightly wrapped around her waist to just below her bosom, her feet hidden by the folds of her garments. The scent of roses seemed to engulf the room upon her entrance, drowning out both Jaken's odor and the food she brought with her.

"Kagome," he said finally. "Set it here."

Kagome did as she was told, moving toward the edge of his desk and slowly setting the tray on the edge. Sesshoumaru pretended to continue to work, his head down and his brush vigorously sweeping over the parchment while watching her in his peripheral vision.

'For a princess,' Sesshoumaru observed as Kagome stood beside him. 'She plays the part of a servant rather well.' She kept her head down, her brush-straightened hair softly framing her face with her tiny hands clasped in front her. Her thumbs briskly twirled around themselves and she nibbled her bottom lip to the point where Sesshoumaru could catch a faint metallic twinge of blood.

Sesshoumaru finally turned to her, reached up and swept his thumb along her lower lip. "Do stop that," he scolded gently, his voice smooth and rich in her ears. "Unless you're determined to devour it completely." His answer was her blush, the faint rosy hue spreading across her cheeks like wildfire.

'How can one expression be so endearing…' Sesshoumaru mused before shaking the thought clear and gesturing to the tray. "What have you brought me?"

Kagome uncovered two of the three trays, revealing a bowl of rice and another of oden. Sesshoumaru watched the quick smile that flashed on her lips before her stomach rumbled.

"Did you not eat before you were sent to me?" he asked, nodding at her negative response. 'I suppose it would do no harm to feed her,' he thought as he grasped her wrist and pulled her into his lap. 'Besides, I'm not as fond of oden as she seems to be.' He waited until she situated herself, watching as she smoothed the nonexistent wrinkles from her kimono before clutching up the chopsticks and picking up one of the pieces of seafood from the bowl.

"Open," he instructed as he held the chopsticks to her lips. Kagome frowned as if to rebel against the idea before closing her eyes and opening her mouth. Sesshoumaru gently placed the shrimp on her tongue, deciding to ignore her hesitation for the moment. They continued in silence, with Sesshoumaru alternating the oden for the rice as he watched Kagome eat. Each move of her jaw, each tentative swallow captured his undivided attention as if the cells of his body were put on high alert the instant she sat down.

"Now," he said when he felt she finally finished. "What do you say?"

"Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama," Kagome muttered softly, her eyes downcast as she once again clasped her hands in her lap.

'Ah,' Sesshoumaru mused when her tongue rolled over the 'r' in his name. 'How did I manage to forget that?' "So I see you haven't forgotten me," he teased with a slight quirk of his lips. "But tell me," he hooked a finger underneath her chin and gently brought her gaze to his. "Will you forget me while I'm away?"

"Of course not!" Kagome responded quickly with a bit of indignation at such a question coloring her tone.

"But you do so much in a day's time," Sesshoumaru countered, inwardly wondering what was causing him to bait her in such a way. "Surely you will forget me somehow. You are only a ningen."

"Be that as it may," Kagome responded with a huff. "I do not forget those so easily."

"I see. Well I am not as lucky as you," Sesshoumaru replied. "I tend to forget easily."

"How awful," Kagome gasped sympathetically. Sesshoumaru nodded in agreement. "I fear I may forget you during my absence."

"Oh," Kagome asked. "Maybe I could give you something to remember me by."

"What could you give?" Sesshoumaru asked with a smirk. "Carrying more than I need would slow me down, and you cannot go with me."

Kagome thought over this for a second, her fingers crossed haphazardly over her lower lip before reaching for Sesshoumaru's face. He backed away for a second, then relented as she cupped his face in her hands and brought it closer to her. He watched as she sat up a little straighter and pulled his face down a little further before she kissed the crescent in the middle of his forehead.

His eyes slid closed immediately, the warmth and the affection he felt from the simple gesture surprising him into dropping his guard. His hyper sensitized nerves imprinted to memory every detail, from the slight warmth coming from the smooth palms of her hands to the gentle press of her lips against his skin.

Sesshoumaru's eyes opened when she pulled away, the blush from earlier darkening to a bright cherry. "My apologies Sesshoumaru-sama," she whispered while she removed her hands from his cheeks. "I acted without permission."

"Your apology is unnecessary," Sesshoumaru responded. "You are allowed to do some things without my permission. Now…" He stood her up quickly, watching with a twinge of regret as she rose to her feet before turning back to his desk. "You have lessons to attend to."

"Oh, yes of course." Kagome bowed one last time, then left Sesshoumaru to the empty room and his thoughts.

*

Inuyasha quickly made his way toward the dojo the next morning, his nose following both Nassi's and Kagome's recent scents as his thoughts wandered. 'Well, Sesshoumaru's gone,' he thought as he turned down a corridor. 'So that means peace and quiet for three weeks. The look on Kagome's face was most disturbing though. It was almost as if she believed he would not return. Hopefully the other generals and I will be able to cheer her up.'

He opened the doors to the nearest dojo, then paused to stand in the threshold as Nassi and Kagome trained in the middle of the room. They both were dressed in their training gis, heavy boots and fingerless gloves. Kagome blocked with a small, curved sword while Nassi attacked with a pair of short ninja swords.

"Faster!" Nassi instructed as she struck Kagome's vertical block yet again. "You're not going fast enough! I'm having to wait on you!"

Kagome grunted something, something that Inuyasha had no doubt said in front of her if Nassi's sudden shocked expression meant anything, then quickened her blocks enough to throw the kencho off guard.

"Very nice," Nassi huffed after a few minutes. "You're getting good. But I don't want that to be because you're getting used to me. Inuyasha?"

"Hai Nassi?" Inuyasha asked as he stepped further into the room.

"Would you care to spar with Kagome?"

"Nani?" Kagome squeaked as Inuyasha picked up a nearby bokken and stood in front of her. "No way! He's faster than me!"

"And you're saying I'm not?" Nassi frowned playfully.

"No, not at all," Kagome said quickly. "But I-"

"I won't hurt you Kagome," Inuyasha said as he gripped the practice weapon. "Don't tell me you're scared of me."

"Hm!" Kagome huffed, then dropped into a ready stance. "I'm not afraid of you."

"Very well then," Nassi said as she leaned against a nearby wall. "You two start when you get ready."

Inuyasha circled around Kagome, his gaze predatory as she studied him with a watchful eye. He ran toward her unexpectedly, the bokken out by his side before bringing it across himself with a mighty swing. Kagome blocked it instantly, parrying the blade of her sword downward before grasping the blunt side and shoving backward.

"Faster Inuyasha!" Nassi called from the sidelines. "Were Kagome well-versed in offense as well as defense, she would mop the floor with you!"

"Oh yeah!" Inuyasha growled, then jumped back once before rushing toward Kagome again. This time she ducked his advance altogether, using Inuyasha's momentum to push him into the wall beside Nassi.

"Stop!" Nassi yelled after Inuyasha whipped around.

"What?!" Inuyasha bellowed in outrage. "You can't be serious? I wasn't finished!"

"This exercise wasn't so you could finish, but to make sure Kagome learns to observe her enemy. I want her to be able to think during battle," Nassi informed him before turning to Kagome. "Tell me what you learned."

"Um," Kagome began with a finger to her bottom lip, her sword resting at her right hip. "For one, Inuyasha's used to bigger weapons."

"How so?" Nassi asked as Inuyasha 'Feh!' ed and leaned against the wall with his hands stuffed inside his sleeves.

"When he moves to attack, he swings his weapon with both hands, and in wide arches," Kagome said, then demonstrated with her weapon. "You, Nassi, are used to shorter weapons, because you use your wrists instead of your entire arm to make a strike. You also tend to use your swords one-handed."

"Very good Kagome," Nassi applauded with a smile. Even Inuyasha had to admit that he was impressed before deciding to applaud too. "Now, what else did you notice?"

"Inuyasha's a charger, while Nassi's a pouncer."

"Huh?" Nassi and Inuyasha both said then scowled when Kagome giggled at them.

"Ok, this is what I mean," Kagome explained. "When Inuyasha begins his attack, he runs head-first into his opponent. You, Nassi, tend to pounce from wherever you are to your opponent. You may charge at first, but in the end you always end up in the air."

"That's rich!" Inuyasha guffawed at Nassi's expense. "You must be part neko, instead of part-"

"Well done Kagome!" Nassi congratulated after shooting Inuyasha a scathing glare. "That's exactly the kind of thing I want you to learn! There will be times that your opponent will be moving too fast for you to get everything you just received from us, but you will still be able to decipher him enough to figure out what his strategy will be when it comes to protecting yourself from danger. Very good indeed!"

"Thanks Nassi!" Kagome beamed, then smiled at Inuyasha. "And thanks for going easy on me Inuyasha. I appreciate it!"

"No problem," Inuyasha said as Nassi directed him back to the floor. "Remember it, because I'm not going to this time."

"Alright Inuyasha," Kagome said as she prepared for his attack. "I'll try to."

*

Keni'Chi sat in the middle of the second dojo, patiently waiting for lunch to be over so he could start Inuyasha's first day of training.

'I've seen the way he practices,' he thought with a grimace. 'And not only is he not good at it, he's bored too. This technique should be more to his liking.'

He looked up when Inuyasha strolled into the room, then stood up fully as Inuyasha approached him.

"What's up kit?" Inuyasha greeted with a wave.

"Nothing much Puppy-san. Here," he tossed Inuyasha one of the wooden bokkens at his feet. "you're going to need this."

"Alright," Inuyasha muttered as he caught the practice weapon. "Father says you're going to teach me something new."

"That's right. You don't like your current lessons do you?"

"No," Inuyasha grumbled. "They're boring. All we do is swing the sword around. It's like torture."

"I kind of figured that," Keni'Chi said with a nod. "And that's why I asked InuTaishou-sama if I could teach you my technique. It's a lot more fun, and involves plenty of kicks, punches and flips. The best part is," he made sure Inuyasha was listening, then whispered "You never have to put down your sword."

"Alright then!" Inuyasha exclaimed, then frowned suddenly. "But how predictable is it?"

"Let me guess," Keni'Chi asked with a laugh. "Kagome read you earlier, didn't she?"

"How'd you know?" Inuyasha asked as Keni'Chi picked up a bokken of his own. Keni'Chi chuckled. "Because she's read me. She's very good at that sort of thing. Anyway, should you mix this technique with your old, she shouldn't be able to read it as easily."

"OK then," Inuyasha said while Keni'Chi stood beside him. "Then let's get this over with."

"The technique I'm going to teach you is called the Tenpu-Kasai-Ryu-Kai with the Seung Style Longsword."

"What the hell is half of that?" Inuyasha asked, his brow knitted together in confusion.

"The Tenpu-Kasai-Ryu-Kai is your footwork, and the Seung Style Longsword is how your going to use your sword during the footwork. Now, is your bokken heavier than the Tetsusaiga?"

"Yeah."

"Good. Hold it in your right hand and hold it over your head like this." Keni'Chi raised his bokken so that the beginning of the blade was raised over his right shoulder, with the rest of the blade arching over his head. "Got it?"

Inuyasha copied him, then shook his head before lowering his bokken. "No way I'm doing that. The Tetsusaiga's too heavy for that kind of thing."

"The bokken I have is three times the weight of the Tetsusaiga," Keni'Chi told him as he spread his feet shoulder length apart and held his left hand out in front of him. "You mean to tell me that you're not as strong as I am?"

"I'm stronger than you," Inuyasha growled as he raised his bokken once again. He copied Keni'Chi's stance perfectly, then glanced to the kit for instruction. "Well?"

"With this technique," Keni'Chi continued with a smile. "You can use your sword to attack, or you can use it as a distraction. The position of the blade allows you to use kicks and jumps as well. For today, we're going to practice on swordplay. The Seung style is a bit difficult, but you'll get the hang of it."

*

Sesshoumaru and Alabaster stood overlooking Rose Castle, watching as ningen and youkai traversed throughout the castle grounds. 'Things seem to be at peace here,' Sesshoumaru mused as he and Alabaster continued on their journey. 'There are no scents of the Dark Army anywhere throughout the Damascas kingdom. I am sure Kagome will be most pleased.'

He and Alabaster trotted on with nothing but the sounds of the forest around them and Sesshoumaru's thoughts to keep them company. 'I wonder if she gets homesick. I hear it is something ningen often suffer from when they've been away from home for a long time, and I'm sure three months is long enough. Will she want to return home to stay?'

The thought disturbed him for some reason, causing a slight tightness inside his chest before Sesshoumaru dismissed it entirely. 'She is nothing more than a pet,' he told himself as he dismounted. He closed his eyes, leaned against Alabaster's side and focused on the rest of his senses. 'It is natural for me to be fond of her. After all, if I were not, then she would be useless. And I do detest useless humans.'

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes, his pupils dilating slightly from the waning sunlight that streamed into his eyes. 'Another thing I detest is waiting. This journey is taking entirely too long. I know Father insisted on taking Alabaster, but I do not need him. It is time for me to set out on my own.'

"Alabaster?"

Alabaster neighed in reply, his snowy ears perking instantly.

"Return to the castle."

Alabaster turned without question and began to retrace his steps. He glanced over his shoulder once before disappearing into the horizon. Sesshoumaru sighed in relief, then waited as red youki collected beneath his feet to form small cloud. It lifted him into air effortlessly, then proceeded toward the northwestern border.

Sesshoumaru looked down on the land as it streamed along below him, watching as trees and fields became nothing but patchwork blurs before something caught his attention. He paused the cloud in mid-air and peered over the side as what appeared to be a dark blob oozed along the northeastern border. The scent coming from the blob ripped a growl from Sesshoumaru's throat, the scent one he recognized from countless villages destroyed beyond recognition.

'The Dark Army,' he growled as it poured over the lands below him. What had to be thousands upon thousands of oni and lower-level youkai covered the land below him like a dark storm cloud, yet they left the vegetation they touched completely undisturbed.

'Where are they going?' Sesshoumaru wondered as they turned in unison to his left and toward the south. 'What business would they have in the south? And why are they not stampeding? It is almost as if they were commanded somewhere…No matter.' Sesshoumaru stood and resumed his journey north. 'I shall have to discuss this with Father upon my return.'

*

"What's today's lesson?" Kagome asked Miroku as they walked across the training grounds to the forest. Kagome glanced to the empty field, guessing that it was the army's day off as she followed Miroku toward the wild territory.

"We're looking for a plant," Miroku told her as they crossed the training ground barrier and entered the forest. "It's something I need for the infirmary."

"What kind of plant?" Kagome responded. She stopped when the wind picked up and lifted cluster of leaves on the forest floor. Miroku turned just as the leaves began their swirl around her, watching as they incased her in the middle of their cyclone.

'She could put the forest sprites to shame, should she choose to,' Miroku thought as Kagome giggled and grasped one of the swirling leaves between her fingers. It stopped the second Kagome stepped from them, giving Miroku the impression that there was more behind that little show than nature before brushing it aside and continuing through the woods.

"The plant we're looking for is a special one," Miroku finally answered while Kagome caught up with him. "It's called hunag-gi, and it is part of your training."

"What does it do?"

"It helps wounds to heal faster," Miroku informed her before kneeling toward a nearby bush. Kagome kneeled beside him. "Is that what we're looking for?" she asked as he studied the leaves of a small plant growing beneath the bush.

"No," Miroku said with a shake of his head. "But it's almost as good. This is a lavender plant, and above it is a raspberry bush. The leaves from both will be beneficial in our infirmary." He reached inside his robes for a small burlap sack and began picking the leaves from the raspberry. "Be sure to get the greenest leaves, and that they have no spots or holes," he instructed as he passed Kagome another sack and gestured toward the lavender plant. They picked as many leaves as they could before sealing their sacks closed and venturing further into the forest.

"What do the leaves of the bushes we just picked do again?" Kagome asked as Miroku kept a steady eye on the ground. Soon they walked into the middle of a large clearing where the grass was just beginning to come back after a long winter's sleep.

"The lavender is calming, which is very useful for irate patients. The raspberry we use in tea to help the digestion and immune systems." He stopped suddenly, the little rings attached to the upper part of his staff ringing in the silent forest.

"What is it?" Kagome whispered as she clutched the back of his robes.

"Listen."

Kagome did as he asked, then shrugged. "I don't hear anything."

"Exactly. We're in trouble."

Kagome paled instantly, her grip on the houshi tightening as he began to back out of the clearing. "Houshi-sama-"

"Shhhhh," Miroku quieted softly. He grasped his staff in his hands, his gaze sweeping the clearing as Kagome struggled not to panic. "One thing you must remember Kagome," Miroku said as he and Kagome neared the edge of the clearing. "Is that you're safe if the forest is noisy. You have a problem if it goes quiet."

"Hai Miroku," Kagome whispered back. She brushed against something wet and sticky, and glanced behind her to see what it was. She looked to a nearby tree, then directly behind her and screamed.

Miroku jerked around and shoved Kagome one way before jumping the opposite as a giant slug oni leapt at them both. Kagome rolled to a nearby set of bushes, yelping in pain as the branches scratched her exposed legs. The oni slithered toward her, it's mouth gaping open as a long trail of slime oozed along behind it.

"Hey!" Miroku shouted as he jumped between them. "Hey! Come this way!"

The slug followed with an angry snarl, it's tail whipping out at the last second to knock Kagome back to the ground. She lay stunned as Miroku fended off the slug, his staff slicing and hacking through the oni's squishy body.

"Kagome! Get out of here!" he shouted as the slug pounced on him. Miroku stepped to the side at the last second, and the slug landed face-first into the dirt. Miroku acted instantly, reaching inside his robes for a pouch of ashen salt and tossing it at the creature. The pouch exploded on its back, and the salt covered the oni entirely. It shrieked as it began to melt, the stench coming off the dying thing enough to make Kagome's stomach flip nauseously. "Oh gods," she groaned as she grasped the nearest tree for support. "I think I'm goanna be sick."

"Me too," Miroku groaned from beside the melting slug. He plunked down beside it as Kagome made her way to him with a slight smile on his face. "I think I've had enough for the day. Let's say we head-"

Miroku disappeared as the ground beneath him caved in, then shot through the air when another slug tossed him back up. Kagome watched, horrified, as he sailed above her to hit the ground like a rag doll.

"Housi-sama!" Kagome yelled as she sprinted toward him. "Miroku! Are you ok?" She dropped to her knees beside him and shook the unconscious man. "Miroku! Please don't be dead," she cried before checking his pulse. She listened and released a pent up breath at the sound of Miroku's steady heartbeat as the slug resurfaced.

"Thank the gods," she sighed in relief. "but what do I-"

"I will eat the both of you," the oni gurgled thickly. "But I will rip the houshi apart for killing my mate."

"Your mate attacked us first!" Kagome argued. "We had no choice!"

"You killed my mate!" the slug yelled, it's voice shattering the quiet around them. "I will devour you both!" It charged toward them in a hideous glob, it's mouth wide open and displaying rows upon rows of razor sharp teeth.

Kagome's arm began to glow as she stretched her palm out toward the oni and cried "Pratrocinor Ventus!" The wind surged around her and Miroku instantly, the leaves around and beneath them forming a swirling, razor-sharp dome. The slug pounded on the barrier furiously, it's enraged strikes making the shelter shudder around them as Kagome's hair whipped in the gusting wind.

"Miroku?" she called again, then sighed and rested his head in her lap when she didn't get an answer. 'What am I going to do now?' she wondered as the shield shuddered again. "Inuyasha, Nassi, I need you guys."

+

"No," Nassi said to one of the guards at the top of the western tower. "Don't do that. If you lean over the side like that, you're just asking to fall over. If you can't see, then ask someone to help you."

"Right Nassi-sempai," the guard saluted from the top of the tower, then pointed toward the eastern side of the castle. "Um, what's that?"

"What's what?" Nassi said absently as she helped another soldier with his spear.

"That, in the Wild Territory."

Nassi sighed in annoyance and floated toward him, coming to a rest right beside his post and looking toward the forest. "My God," she gasped at the swirling dome of leaves in the center of the forest. "What is that?"

"I just asked that-" The guard stopped when Nassi froze, her face paling slightly before she disappeared from sight. "Hm. I wonder what that was about," the guard said to himself, then shrugged and returned to his watch.

+

Inuyasha and Keni'Chi stood in the middle of the second dojo, each eying each other warily before Keni'Chi attacked. His bokken swiped the air above Inuyasha's head just before Inuyasha ducked, rolled between his legs and kicked his feet from underneath him.

"Very good Inuyasha," Keni'Chi praised as he and Inuyasha stood up. "Now, come for me."

"Alright then," Inuyasha growled as he charged forward, his bokken outstretched at his right side. "But don't blame me if-Oh shit!" He ran toward Keni'Chi but his eyes were unfocused, as if he were seeing someone other than the kitsune in front of him.

"Inuyasha? Inuyasha!" Keni'Chi called when Inuyasha leaped over his head, sprinted across the dojo floor and jumped out the window toward the eastern garden. Inuyasha sprinted toward the forest, his gaze so intent on his target that he didn't realize he had company until she growled beside him.

"Nassi? What are you doing here?" Inuyasha asked as they jumped over the barrier wall blocking the garden from the training grounds outside it.

"I should ask the same of you," she retorted. "But I take you heard Kagome call you."

"Yeah," Inuyasha said suspiciously. "You could say that."

Nassi glanced at him curiously, but decided to inquire about his statement another time as they entered the forest. "Did Miroku tell you his plans for today?"

"No, but I'm guessing he messed up," Inuyasha responded as he darted along the trees. Nassi took to the air above him, her face set and serious as they followed the humans' scents. "Doesn't he know better than to come this far out with her?"

They burst into the clearing in the center of the clearing and stopped in their tracks, neither able to believe the sight in front of them. The slug oni still pummeled the shield around Kagome and Miroku, who sat in the center of it. Kagome was huddled around the houshi and crying into the front of his robes.

"Shuurai!" Inuyasha heard Nassi cry out. A bolt of lightening streaked from the sky and skewered the oni clean through before it exploded. Bits and pieces of it rained down on the clearing, the parts rebounding off Kagome's shield as Inuyasha and Nassi retreated to the cover of the forest.

Inuyasha was the first to return to the clearing after the downpour, and was the first to see the wind slowly die down to a stop. He and Nassi stood by as the leaves returned to their places on the ground before Kagome fainted from exhaustion.

"What was that?" Nassi asked as Inuyasha lifted Kagome off of Miroku and settled her into his arms. "It was amazing, just amazing. What is she?"

"She's a miko," Inuyasha admitted. He lowered his forehead to hers, his ears twitching nervously as he listened to Kagome's steady breaths. "And you're not supposed to know."

"Well," Nassi said after a moment's silence. "I know now but don't worry about anyone else finding out." She draped Miroku over her shoulder like a towel, grasped the back of his legs and turned to Inuyasha. "Don't look so down," she said as they made they're way back to the castle. "Her secret's safe with me."

*

Sesshoumaru stood at the bottom of the mountain in the middle of the northern territory, his golden eyes narrowed slightly as he tipped his head back and glared up the side of the rock face. 'Hm,' he grunted as he searched for any of the wolf tribe. 'No welcoming party. Well, I suppose I shall have to greet them instead.' The red miasma returned to Sesshoumaru's feet and levitated him up the side of the mountain to a flat cliff twenty feet above him.

He landed softly between two sentry men, startling them as he did so. He didn't flinch when they jumped to their feet and thrust their spears in his face, with one of the weapons coming dangerously close to his nose.

"Where is Kouga?" Sesshoumaru demanded. The two gawked at him in disbelief, then scowled as other sentries ran toward them with their spears raised.

"Who are you to demand Kouga-sama?" one on Sesshoumaru's left growled. Sesshoumaru glared at him from the corner of his eye, yet remained still as he tested the wind for the ookami taiyoukai's scent. He soon caught wind of the scent of cold wind and forests, a scent he recognized as the one he was looking for. He started forward without warning, his strong and steady gait swiftly leaving the clueless guards behind as he moved throughout the little gathering of ookami toward the scent.

Sesshoumaru came to a stop at the back of the large cliff expanse just as the other guards caught up to him. Kouga sat with his back to him, his legs crossed beneath him as he sat on an enormous boulder overlooking the flat plains below him. "Forgive us Kouga-sama," one said as the others bowed around Sesshoumaru. "But he penetrated our defenses. "

"He wishes to speak to you," said another as Kouga finally turned around. "We don't know who he thinks he is but-"

"He's the Great Taiyoukai," Kouga spoke up. "Surely your noses and eyes don't lie."

The effect was instantaneous, with each soldier shuddering at Sesshoumaru's feet. Each silently bid goodbye to their families and hello to their ancestors while they remembered their treatment toward Sesshoumaru as Kouga stood up and bowed.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, my apologies for my men. They forget themselves sometimes."

"Of course," Sesshoumaru replied absently. "They are excused."

The ookami jumped up instantly, each bowing and offering their sincerest apologies before sprinting away. Kouga watched them go with an angry growl, his eyes narrowed considerably before Sesshoumaru recaptured his attention. "To what do I owe the pleasure," Kouga asked as he resumed his seat on the rock.

"This is not a recreational visit," Sesshoumaru said. "You sent word for me, now here I am."

"I what?" Kouga responded in confusion.

"Surely your hearing doesn't fail you," Sesshoumaru replied. "You sent word that the Dark Army was loose upon your people and for me to assist you as soon as possible."

"No, I didn't," Kouga said with a shake of his head. "Our situation with the Dark Army is the same as it was three months ago. We've had no problems."

"Then what of the messenger?" Sesshoumaru asked. "Surely he would have caught up to me and informed me of the mistake."

"No one has come from the Western Castle," Kouga informed him. "Otherwise he would still be here and you both could have left together. I assure you Sesshoumaru-sama, we've not heard from the Dark Army."

"Kouga-sama!" a guard exclaimed as he burst in on the little meeting. "Forgive me, but there is something you and Sesshoumaru-sama should see."

Sesshoumaru followed the soldier with Kouga close behind toward the eastern part of the cliff. The scent of blood and tears floated to them on the late afternoon breeze, the scent increasing in power the further they walked. They soon came to a group of female ookami gathered in a circle around something, the scent from before coming from somewhere around them.

"Move," Sesshoumaru growled as he approached the nearest female. She turned quickly, a scowl marring her features before her face froze in fear. "Forgive me Sesshoumaru-sama," she whispered as she stepped to the side. Sesshoumaru cast her a passing glare before focusing ahead of him.

In the center of the women stood a ookami pup, no more than three human years old, nude and covered from head to toe in blood and mud. She stood silently, seemingly ignorant to the world around her as the women attempted to find out what happened to her.

"What has happened to you?" Sesshoumaru asked. The girl looked up at him, her lilac eyes wide and unseeing as Sesshoumaru kneeled in front of her. "What has happened to your family?"

"Mama…" she whispered, her tiny voice nearly lost to Sesshoumaru's youkai hearing. "Mama, wake up. Why won't you wake up?"

"My lord," a female said as she draped a thin blanket over the pup's shoulders. "May we clean her up?"

"Certainly." Sesshoumaru rose to his feet while the women of the village took the pup away, his gaze serious and contemplative as Kouga fumed from beside him.

"Where is the girl from?" Kouga growled to the nearest soldier. He pointed, then ran in the gestured direction with Kouga and Sesshoumaru following close behind. Sesshoumaru took to the air above as Kouga and the other ookami dashed over the lands.

'Perhaps the concern should not have been where the Dark Army was going, but rather where they have been,' Sesshoumaru thought as smoke rose over the rapidly darkening horizon.

The decimated remains of a youkai village appeared beneath him, the pillars of smoke rising into the sky like blackened flags. Kouga and the soldier stopped in the center of the village square, with Sesshoumaru landing seconds later. Everything was eerily silent around them, except for the occasional pop of an ember as Sesshoumaru and the others looked around. Youkai littered the ground around them, with some obviously members of Kouga's clan. Others that carried the stench of the Dark Army were far outnumbered by the dead of Kouga's tribe. Kouga kneeled by each body, his head hung in silent morning as he closed their eyes and stood back up.

Sesshoumaru watched all this passively, but inside his blood boiled in outrage. 'These were not warriors,' Sesshoumaru concluded when he spied an elderly ookami slumped over a keel, the lump of clay he was working on splattered on the hay below him. 'The Dark Army knew this. They saw this village as an easy target and obliterated them. The cowards…'

He turned at a growl on his left, then stepped back as a nearby hut exploded beside him. Sesshoumaru reached for Toukijin, his concern not the debris that rained down on him, but the mammoth three-horned oni that roared from the depths of the rubble. He rushed toward Sesshoumaru, his eyes crimson as his blood lust coursed within him. Sesshoumaru dodged the oni's wild swing, then used Toukijin to slice through the offending arm. The oni howled in agony, his eyes squinted shut before glaring down at him.

"You will pay inu youkai," it snarled before charging again.

"Foolish. You will not leave this place." Sesshoumaru dodged the oni's next blow and wrapped his lightening whip around the beast's throat. "Now," Sesshoumaru growled as the creature dropped to his knees. "What was the purpose of this?" he demanded, then tightened the whip's grip when the creature remained silent.

"It doesn't matter!" the oni cried out. "Because she will see to your death, Great Taiyoukai!" The oni said the last like a curse, spitting the title from his mouth like vermin.

"She?" Sesshoumaru repeated, ignoring the rest as Kouga approached them. "Who is this she?"

The oni laughed, a dark sound that chilled Kouga's blood. "She will kill you all. She brought you here, she destroyed the village, and she will kill you all! She will kill you all! She will-"

"Enough." Sesshoumaru released his whip's hold on the oni's throat. "He is yours Kouga-san."

Kouga wasted no time in attacking, withdrawing his sword and slicing through the entire left side of the oni's face. It fell to the ground with a heavy thud, with the oni's remaining eye lifeless upon impact. He kneeled beside the body, his breathing labored and his eyes narrowed as he fought to control his youkai blood.

"Control yourself," Sesshoumaru growled from beside him. "The oni is dead. There are no others. You will not-"

"Sesshoumaru-sama," Kouga interrupted. He stood and sheathed his sword, his head still downcast as he balled his fists at his sides.

"The treaty between us earlier was a formal promise." he raised his head, revealing not eyes red from loss of control but eyes red with tears.

"Now they've dared to attack my lands. You have my word Sesshoumaru-sama. I will spill their blood at your side."

----

SF: Well, there was one fight scene.

Inu-chan: Yeah, between the houshi and a slug oni! What kind of author are you!

SF: Hey, I said that I was speeding it along! That's what I'm doing! A fight didn't fit as I first thought!

Inu-chan: Gah! You're so stupid!

SF: Those are strong words coming from someone hung up on a dead girl!

Inu-chan: {::as Kagome snickers from behind him::} What was that?!

SF: Good grief! You're so stupid! So what if you didn't get to bleed someone dry! You don't know what I have planned for the next chapter. For your information, you guys go to war!

Inu-chan/ Sesshou/ Kouga: Really?

SF: Really. Now, don't you think there will be some fighting somewhere in there?

Inu-chan; Well…

SF: Anyway, that's it for this chapter. Be sure to check out the next.

Silver Fox: Yeah, the next is really exciting. Next stop on this crazy train: Chapter Nine (dude, I thought it was more than that) A Promise of Home! See below the review responses for the translations to some of the stuff you've seen.

Responses:

MediaMiner:

BelleDayNight: You asked who Keni'Chi belongs to. Well, that annoying little kit belongs to himself. He's Silver Fox, my dearest cousin and lemon writer (if he ever gets his butt on the job). Kilik's my fave to play too. I kick mega butt with him when my brother and the other fellows play! Oh, but thanks for the fic love. The relationships between the characters is really important to the story, as they'll explain why certain things happen the way they will. I kinda thought that InuTaishou would be kinda like this too, with mixes of both Inu-chan and Sesshou in his character.

Helen: No problems! I totally understand! Thanks for the love, even if it is late. Better late than never you know! And you have no idea how thought out this plot is. There's a lot of stuff that has been thought out and planned for that hasn't even happened yet. Hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as the last.

Kellie: Thanks so much! I'm glad you like it! More S/K coming up!

S1Cherry: First off, my deepest apologies for not getting your review sooner. I hope you have a blast in China! I've always wanted to go, but there's no chance of that happening anytime soon (unless there's been a tunnel built between here and England). Sesshou is really posessive, but he's kinda dense too. There are reasons behind everything he does, but not all of them are the smartest. I plan to have more of Inu-chan shooting, so look for that too. I don't know why I thought of that, but it is pretty cool. Nassi has more jaunts to take. I wonder if anyone recognizes the word from anywhere...Oh! Can't wait until you get back!

AsianEyes: Hopefully, yeah. I really want to get this one and Second Chance moving along, and I'm almost positive that I'll be able to do that after TBW.

Chillkat04: Thanks a lot! I'm glad you're still here. More's on the way!

IsisTheEgyptianGoddess: Inu-chan and Kagome's friendship is going to be a very important part of the story, along with some other pairings. There are so many people to keep up with, and so little time to do it in. Thanks for the discription love. Sometimes I think I'm overdoing it, but I have no choice. I can't draw. I have a weird, mathmatical idea to drawing. It has to be in lines and {::waves hands around::}. You know what I mean. The meadow is great, and there are other parts of the castle that are just as such if not more so.

Tsuki Yume: Nassi goes there, but she goes to other places too. If I told you why, that would ruin the story. Let's just say that there's more to our three generals than meets the eye. I guess you're like duh huh? I mean, there has to be something more to them if Kilik is more than 400 years old!

Translations:

Pratrocinor Ventus: Latin. Means 'Protective Winds'. One of the many miko abilities found in Kagome's miko book.

Shuurai: Japanese. Means 'Lightening Strike'. One out of three of Nassirudden's lightening-based attacks.