InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cursed ❯ Brothers In Arms ( Chapter 33 )

Chapter Thirty Three - Brothers In Arms

 

“Do you think he's planning something?” Tomo asked as he looked over the reports from the western border.

 

“Sarath is always planning something; the question that must be answered is what.” Sesshoumaru stated as he looked across the field to the group of soldiers that were currently training.

 

“He's been slowly amassing a larger and larger army steadily over the past year and a half, soon after your...extended absence began. We didn't even notice it at first and we weren't concerned when it did come to our attention since he seemed to be concentrating his numbers around his capital only. But now that he's moving them to the boarder, I can only guess that he's planning some kind of invasion.”

”So it would seem.” Sesshoumaru turned his attention back to his concerned general.

 

“But if he did, even with the numbers he's put together so far, we'd still crush him. We wouldn't even break a sweat in the task.”

”Sarath is not a fool. I doubt that is what he has in mind.”

”Some sort of diversion perhaps?”

”Perhaps. For the moment, we will fortify our boarders out of precaution. We need to know more before we act.”

”Agreed.” Tomo nodded at the assessment. It was what he would have done if Sesshoumaru had still been away. He wasn't so much concerned at the Eastern Lord's actions as he was confused. There had to be more to in than what they were seeing. Something was going on and Tomo only hoped it wouldn't take them too long in discovering just was that `something' was.

 

 

“Oh my gods! Oh my gods, I can't believe I finally did it! I won! Oh my gods!” Takana had completely forgotten herself as she burst up from the table and threw her hands up to her smile plastered face.

 

Yuti laughed at her sudden outburst of excitement. “I had no idea it meant so much to you.” She lied. It amused her just how similar Takana's reaction had been to her own.

 

“I just can't believe I finally did it! I mean we've played how many games...fifty and I can finally say I won? Ancestors be praised. I never thought it was going to happen.”

 

“You deserve it child.” She said in all sincerity but all too quickly a devious smirk appeared on her face. “And quite frankly, I was getting a little tired of winning all of the time.”

 

Takana stopped in her little victory dance, her eyes narrowing.

 

“I do hope this means you're improving because if my boredom were to go on much longer, I might just have to find someone else to play against.” Fat chance of that, she much preferred constant winning to losing all of the time.

 

Now Takana's face morphed to one of dismay and pretend hurt. “Why you...” She picked up the empty bone pile sack and flung it at her general protector. Yuti easily caught the slow moving projectile before immediately launching it back at her ward. The little sack flew quickly and true, landing harmlessly on Takana's face. The move did take the human by surprise, making her jump a little before bursting into laughter.

 

“I forgot just how quickly you can move. Must be all that military training eh?” She asked as she pulled the stubborn sack from its perch on her nose before tossing it to the table.

 

“I had many brothers as well.” Yuti laughed. The human's reaction had been priceless but now she noticed that another reaction was occurring on the humans ever changing and expressive features.

 

“Really?” She asked as she took her seat once again, her victory completely forgotten. “How many?”

 

It took a moment for her train of thought to catch up with the day's game winner but when it did, she answered. “Four.” She smiled at her obvious interest.

 

“Wow! Are they older or younger than you?”

 

Yuti smiled but it wasn't a fully happy one. “One is older, the rest were younger than myself.” It took a moment but Takana caught the general's phrasing and immediately she felt sorry for asking. Yuti, having grown accustomed to how quickly human emotions could switch from one to another; saw the change that quickly settled over her friend.

 

“It was a long time ago; you do not have to be sorry about asking.”

 

“I didn't know.” Takana said softly.

 

“How could you have? It was a hundred or so years before you were even born. As I said, do not worry yourself over it.” Silence reigned between the two for several uncomfortable moments as Yuti retrieved the sack and began placing the tiles back within it.

 

“I had a younger brother too.” Takana finally broke the silence. “His name was Shin.” She choked on the word slightly but for more reasons that Yuti knew. “We were fishing a few miles away from our village when we were attacked by a youkai. He killed my brother when Shin tried to defend me. I...well, I survived.”

 

Yuti closed her eyes at the sad tale. I seemed this woman and she shared more than their mutual dislike of loosing constantly at games.

 

“Do you know the story of Sesshoumaru's father?” Yuti asked after a moment,

 

The question threw Takana. Dumbly she shook her head no. Despite the unusual subject change, anything that related to Sesshoumaru, she found she wanted to know. Besides, this was the first time that she and Yuti had really talked beyond the mundane and trivial topics of idle chitchat that two people who were still on the verge of forming a solid friendship engaged in.

 

“Before he died, a series of unusual events took place that lead directly to his downfall. There was already some unrest here in the Western Lands due to some of his previous and ongoing actions and when he died, the tension that had been building broke the walls of our land's civility. War broke out within the ranks of the under lords. A great many of them believed Sesshoumaru was too young to maintain control over the lands and they were quick to try and take advantage of the situation.” Yuti was staring out the balcony window at the clouds as they slowly passed far overhead.

 

“No one came through that war without having lost something. We all lost family. My younger brothers gave their lives defending the integrity of the Western Lands. They like my self and Sesshoumaru would not see it torn apart by the greed of a few fools. My mate Tomo lost his first mate and a newborn daughter before stability was regained.”

 

“How awful.” Takana was near tears. She'd had no idea. It had all taken place so long ago and the affairs of the youkai world were not readily discussed amount peasant villagers. She'd heard of Sesshoumaru before but only as the youkai lord of the lands they all lived in. She'd heard of his cruelty and ironically enough, his hate of humans but now she knew so much more. He too had lost family to tragedy and had endured incredible hardships in his life. Even though they had become much closer lately, this information seemed to make the last of her resentment toward him melt away.

 

“At least you weren't left alone...I mean, you still had your older brother when it was all over, right?” Takana saw Yuti smile sadly. “Yes but he was not the same. Then again, neither was I nor anyone else that lived through it.”

 

Takana nodded. She knew about war and it's affect on her own kind, it shouldn't surprise her that youkai would be susceptible to the same affects of such atrocities. It seemed the more she was here, the fewer differences she saw between human kind and youkai kind.

 

“Are the two of you still close?”

 

Yuti laughed. “I suppose you could say that. Sometimes I didn't think so but lately...I see that he thinks more highly of me that perhaps even he ought to? I think he trusts me with things that are far too precious to him.”

 

“I'm sure he knows you well enough. I mean, I've only known you for a short time and I feel like I could trust you with anything now.” When Takana saw Yuti's smile brighten once more, she continued. “So just what is it that he's entrusted you with?”

 

Yuti's smile transformed into a light chuckle and before Takana could ask her what was so funny, the general told her.

 

“Why, that something is...well...it's you of course.”

 

AN: Seems like my reviewers took my little tease to heart, thanks for all the love guys!

 

Nikkie23534: You are so corny but so nice. Your reviews leave me feeling as mushy as I do when writing tender Sess/Takana moments, kind of embarrassed but happy at the same time. It's a pleasure to be read.

SnowFlakeAlchemist: What can I say, I like to keep people guessing and not just about my plot but about my whereabouts as well. I'll do my best to keep it moving along this time. Wish me luck and give me a swift kick in the ass if not, eh?

Susanne: Oh, you know me...I won't give that away but I will tell you one thing...oh wait, no I won't. *laughs evilly*

angelsfalltearfully: So you're saying I'm like prozac eh? I let that one get so sweet my teeth hurt but I'm glad you liked it. Sess is never happy about much of anything let alone evil plot bunnies. My reviewers are so quick to want violence. Poor Sarath hasn't even done anything but think evil thoughts. I'm afraid of what is going to happen when he really starts cookin.

lil_lo: Thank you for the realism and the non Mary Sue vote. It is very much appreciated. I tried not to make her some superwoman while still writing her as strong despite her experiences over her lifetime. I will let her know that you think its ok that she and Sess are together. :)

Lamb: That's what you get little lamb. Maybe I'll feel the undeniable urge to talk like a pirate again but for now you have to put up with boring old brower speak. And about that milk...let's just say you don't want it anymore. Another Sarath hater... geez you guys are starting to scare me. Sadists all of you. My reviewers would hunt me down and give me cookies if I turn it into a disaster story!...awesome, I love cookies. Thanks for the heads up! One disaster on its way. Anyway...great to hear from you again, I missed your goofiness.