InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Ghost of Love ❯ Chapter 15 ( Chapter 15 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

The sun had barely lit the horizon yet he and Sesshoumaru had already been going over reports for an hour. Inuyasha hadn't been able to rest soundly and had left his room in the early hours of the morning. Coincidentally Sesshoumaru seemed just as anxious as he and the two had met in the hallway. Now Inuyasha found himself staring at the same report again for the third time already. The report the spy had delivered the day prior. So many things weren't sitting right with him regarding the matter. Frustrated he threw the report in front of Sesshoumaru. The Taiyoukai merely lifted an eyebrow and continued working on another report.

“She's trying to lure us out isn't she. Why don't we bring her in for questioning?” Inuyasha was more bothered by the fact that Sesshoumaru was letting a spy run freely in his mansion. Was the man nuts? That woman could be sending important information out to their enemies while they sat around idly in this study.

“Hmmm, that would be what she is expecting. I have my own plans for that woman.” Cold and calculating eyes finally engaged with Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru pushed his work away and picked up the  report Inuyasha had tossed at him. “You are correct that she is trying to lure us out. No doubt she is hoping that we mobilize an army and march off towards the south.”

“I'm assuming by your tone that that is exactly what we are not going to do.”

“Things are different at this level Inuyasha, we have politics to concern ourselves with now.” When Inuyasha gave Sesshoumaru a confused look he continued. “Think of it this way, how would it appear to the Southern Lord when our army crosses into his land. It could be taken as an act of aggression. Add to that the unstable situation in the south and the combination could be dire for my own position.”

Inuyasha pondered on his brother's words and saw the truth of the matter. Sesshoumaru was right, Inuyasha couldn't rely on his normal reaction to these situations. Running in swinging swords was likely to get him into more trouble than would actually solve anything. He sat as his brother continued.

“First we need to figure out just what she is after. The best way to flush out a rat is to bait it. We will give her freedom and show her ignorance. Once she thinks us oblivious to her intentions she will unknowingly show us her own secrets. My men are loyal inside these walls and my best guards understand what she is about—I have eyes and ears everywhere. Once she thinks herself successful we will have her in our grasp.”

Inuyasha could see the merit in that approach but with Kagome and Sumire in the midst he wasn't comfortable letting the spy run loose. What if the youkai was an assassin on top of being a spy? Sesshoumaru's plan, though effective, was not sitting well with him. Again, his lack of patience was getting the best of him. He would rather just bring her in and force the information out of her.

Secondly, what about the fact that the southern military was currently on route to Sumire's home? He worried about the people Sumire held as family. Worried that their trail leaving the island would be easily picked up by the youkai who was poking around down there. What exactly was that man's intentions on that island. More over, was Sumire really safe?

“What about the island Sesshoumaru?”

“That's simple. The Southern Lord's son will go, destroy and be done. Nothing more and nothing less.” Sesshoumaru's eyes shifted back to the report.

Inuyasha didn't like how nonchalantly he talked about it. Those where Sumire's important people and anything bad happening to them would affect the girl horribly. Inuyasha thought about how he would react knowing that someone was targeting Kagome's family. The first reaction was anger and he let the  emotion grab hold as he addressed his brother.

“What the hell Sesshoumaru! That's it—you're just going to sit here on your ass and let that bastard kill off her family? What kind of a man are you?”

Sesshoumaru watched his brother closely. In all his years knowing Inuyasha he had always witnessed this rash side to the hanyou. The unbridled emotion that he so obviously inherited from his human mother. He set down the report and locked eyes with his fiery, younger brother.

“Would you rather I drag two whole nations into war?”

Inuyasha bit his tongue in order to silence his own response. He didn't give a damn about politics, he only cared about his sister-in-law. Drawing in a few deep breaths he calmed the anger that had welled up. With a clearer head he knew that Sesshoumaru was right.

“Fine. Could I offer you some advice Sesshoumaru?” Inuyasha waited until Sesshoumaru gave him a curt nod. “Regarding your wife, it would be wise if you considered her emotions along with your duties. Otherwise you'll find yourself in a battle worse than anything politics could ever conjure.”

With that said he took his leave. His eyes were sore from looking over documents in the dim light. His frustration was constantly threatening him, as was his sanity at the moment. In an effort to clear his head, he took to the nearby forest for a quick run.

The morning rays felt good on her face and she felt refreshed from her restorative sleep. Kagome smiled brightly as she finished her tea and breakfast. It was a perfect day to take Sumire out into the gardens and today's weather would work wonders on Sumire's spirits. With a skip in her step she bounded out her door and down to her friends room.

Sumire was propped up in bed and smiled brightly at her when she entered. Much to the miko's relief the young youkai had regained some of her colour and looked rested as well. Sumire was also just finishing her breakfast. The girl was sipping on the last bit of tea when Kagome knelt on a cushion beside her.

“Good morning!” Kagome beamed at her friend.

“Aren't you just the chipper one this morning.” Sumire responded, her voice still tired even though she looked much better than she had before.

“Hmmm, indeed. 'Tis a beautiful day out there Sumire-chan! I think you and I should check out the marvels of the gardens here. The weather is simply too nice to sit inside and I bet you will feel even better with some sunshine on you!”

“That would be wonderful Kagome-chan.” Sumire offered a small smile.

Kagome took action immediately, helping the young youkai into some fresh clothing. They had barely finished when a knock came on the door. Kagome knew immediately who was there, she didn't even need her miko powers to sense his aura. Prior to her entering she had asked the guard to send a message to Sesshoumaru. After all, he was needed to cart this precious woman outside.

Kagome grinned to herself as the door slide open and the Taiyoukai entered. Sumire's reaction was comical at best and Kagome stifled her laughter at the look of embarrassment and horror on the girls face when she realized just why Sesshoumaru was there.

“Kagome-chan, this really isn't necessary. I can walk myself there just fine.” Sumire argued, her eyes widening with every approaching step of her husband.

“Nonsense Sumire-chan, you are under my care and I will not have your condition worsening on your overdoing it.” Even though her friend was unbearably uncomfortable this pair needed to get used to each other. 'Operation cupid' was now in progress! “Sesshoumaru, she is ready so you can bring her now.”

Kagome turned quickly so the pair couldn't see the look of mischief on her face. She let the slightest of giggles slip when she heard Sumire squeal in surprise as Sesshoumaru lifted her. Things were going well!

Sumire couldn't believe that this was actually happening. She didn't know if she should be more terrified or embarrassed by the whole situation. She quickly found herself high in the air and being easily carted out of the room like a piece of luggage.  He was impassive as always, hard muscles as unbending as his cold stare. Her skin prickled where he touched her and she shivered in fear. Despite Asami-sama's reassurances that he couldn't hurt her, she sure felt like a cornered rabbit at that moment.

Flustered and frightened she found strength by focusing on the back in front of her. As long as she could focus on Kagome she would be fine. Kagome and breathing; she repeated those words in her head for the walk from her quarters to the gardens. Relief flooded through her when she felt the first rays of sunshine caress her skin. Finally!!!

“Thank you Sesshoumaru, you can set her here.” Kagome motioned to a luxuriously grassy expanse beneath a tree. Sumire was as pale as a ghost when she was set down and Kagome was suddenly worried that maybe this was too much too soon.  

“Send for me when you are ready to return.” Sesshoumaru addressed the miko. His eyes wavered slightly towards his mate before he turned heel and disappeared from the garden.

“Sumire-chan, are you alright.” Kagome knelt beside her friend, quickly assessing the girl. She felt better when colour began to return to Sumire's face. Judging by Sumire's reaction, 'operation cupid' wasn't the success she had been hoping for.

“I'm fine Kagome-chan. Just a little shook up is all. Kami, that man is terrifying.” Sumire breathed deeply.

“He's not that bad,” Kagome suddenly smiled. “After all, he did try to kill me in order to protect you! I mean he did look rather impressive fighting for your sake.”

Kagome used her sarcastic humour to try and wrangle a smile out of her friend. All she received was look of annoyance. Nothing seemed to be going her way today. Sighing she settled back into the tree to bask in the tranquility of the gardens. They were truly splendid! Beautifully maintained and picture perfect it would be easy to lose oneself here in meditation. She wasn't sure how many minutes had passed when Sumire suddenly spoke.

“This is beautiful.”

Kagome turned to look at her and was shocked in the change of appearance. Sumire had never been what Kagome would call a stunning beauty. At best she was slightly better than average. Her unusual violet eyes the most beautiful aspect about her. What she saw now was something entirely different.

The sun was settled on her well defined cheek bones, her eyes sparkling as she breathed in the fragrant air. The smile that bloomed on her face was incredible. By simply changing her facial expression she had gone from bland to breathtaking.

The scarves she had hidden herself behind had also concealed her smile, Kagome had never seen her smile since the face wraps had come off. If only Sesshoumaru could have seen this. The miko was still staring in awe when the smile slowly faded from Sumire's face. Kagome was going to strike up a conversation when she noticed something odd.

Sumire's eyes seemed to gloss over and her complexion suddenly paled again. What concerned Kagome the most was how still she seemed. Calling out to her, Kagome's concern deepened when her friend didn't respond. Something was not right at all.

Meanwhile, Sesshoumaru had left the garden, his feelings unsettled after the cunning plan of his brother's miko. He hadn't missed her giggles as she had forced him into personal contact with his wife. He was no fool and didn't like her making him out to be one. Currently though it was his brother's words that were bothering him the most.

Emotions? Why should he care about her emotions? His only duty to her was to protect her. Her emotions had nothing to do with him. There was no way that her emotions could become a bigger problem to him than the political instability that was threatening his lands. He got the impression from Inuyasha that the hanyou wanted him to pay more attention to the woman who had been suddenly thrust into his life. Ridiculous!

Against his better intentions, he decided to humor his brother for the moment. Turning around he sought cover in the distant trees on the far side of the garden. A little secretive surveillance couldn't hurt and he could effectively fulfill part of his duty to her today. She looked very pale when he was carrying her and her trembling could be an indication of poor health. Once he had determined her overall health he could get back to work.

Settling into the branches of a tree he had a clear view of the two women. He was puzzled when the pair just sat there in silence, basking in the rays of the sun. Then suddenly he witnessed something incredible. The change in his wife's appearance nearly made him loose balance in the tree. Suddenly it was very hard to think of her as an annoying young girl who had been forced upon him. How she shone with such vibrancy in a single moment.  He leaned back in the tree, closing his eyes against the strange vision. Why had that smile unsettled him so? He felt uneasy in his own skin.

He was suddenly angry for allowing his brother's words and actions to have this effect on him. Cursing to himself he jump silently from his perch. He was half way back to the main building when he heard a scream rip through the calm air.  Instinctively he knew that it belonged to Sumire and not the miko. His  body reacted on its own, racing though the garden until he was at her side.

His eyes scanned over her form and he was troubled when he found nothing evidently wrong with her. His cold gaze fell upon his brother's miko. “What happened!”

“Something isn't right Sesshoumaru-sama. Her eyes glossed over and she became completely unresponsive. Then she screamed and collapsed. I have no idea what happened.” Kagome was frantic as she checked Sumire's pulse. Her first thoughts were seizure or something of the likes but she thought it odd for a youkai to be afflicted with something like that. Their bodies healed themselves in such ways that something of the sort was highly unlikely. “Her pulse is steady and her breathing is regular. I think she has fainted.”

“Move aside.” Sesshoumaru order as he lifted the limp woman in his arms. He was unsettled by the unmoving weight in his arms. Had he not been busy arguing with himself he may have watched long enough to see what had happened himself.

“Yes.” Kagome continued to try and think of a cause for Sumire's suddenly condition. Her thoughts were in turmoil as she followed Sesshoumaru back to Sumire's room. When he laid her on the bed, Kagome took the opportunity to take another set of vitals. In times like this she was glad she had some modern medical knowledge to help her. Thank goodness for health class and CPR training she had done in school and swimming lessons.

Sesshoumaru stood unmoving beside her. Kagome couldn't tell if he was at all shaken by this sudden incident. He just remained, quiet and constant at the side of the futon. Minutes passed and Sumire remained unconscious. Finally content that Sumire was overall fine she turned to the Taiyoukai.

“I will stay here with her Sesshoumaru. If you are busy feel free to return to your work. I will send for you as soon as she wakes.”

A moment passed before he responded to her. “No need. Just ensure that she is alright when she wakes. I have other things that need to be tended to.”

Kagome was too distracted by her friend to care about the lack of regard Sumire's husband once again had for the girl. She would worry about their relationship after Sumire was back to herself. Settling into her spot she began her long vigil.

The run had been exhilarating and Inuyasha had found some peace in the physical exertion. The day had only begun but the sun was unusually warm for the middle of spring. Summer was in the air, even if only temporarily. He had only just entered the citadel when he found himself face to face with Sesshoumaru's unwanted guest.

The spy openly eyed him, doing her best to look provocative in the morning light. Her clothing was so snug, her chest threatening to burst through the thin silk. Her eyelids coloured and tint on her lips, she looked more like a woman soldiers payed their hard earned  wages for after drinking the night away. Perhaps she was going for sexy but Inuyasha was completely turned off. Sesshoumaru's words of warning rang heavily in his mind.

He frowned in annoyance when she lifted slender finger to her mouth. The long slim digit, trailing across her pouty lips in an obvious display of seduction. Perhaps most men fell for such tactics but this woman paled in comparison to his miko.

“What do you want?” He growled, anxious to be rid of the pest before him. He had better things than be the bait for her traps.

“You seem agitated this morning, I thought perhaps I could help alleviate some of your stress.” She purred softly as she moved slowly toward him, a sway in the hips under the tight fabric. Suggestively she ran her hands across his shoulders as she circled him from behind. Coming around to the other side, she snaked her arms around his, pressing herself against his side.

“Feh! Not likely,” he pulled away from her.  His skin crawled where she had touched. Nothing about that woman was good at all.

“Tsk! Tsk!” The spy clucked to him, pouting eyes looked up at him. “Just a simply offering, should you change your mind come find me—just ask for Risa.”

Inuyasha growled to himself as he watched the snaky woman disappear into the streets. She didn't even try to hide her intentions. That woman wanted him in her bed and had practically told him so. No doubt she was hoping for some loose lipped, after sex chit chat on his behalf. Like hell that would ever happen. The thought of touching her in that way almost made him sick to his stomach. What he needed now was a good dose of Kagome to chase away the bad vibes he had. That was exactly where he was headed now.

“Damn, tougher cookie to crack than I thought.” Sharp eyes watched her prey walk away. When she arrived she took one look at the Taiyoukai and knew she wouldn't be able to crack him. The chance meeting with the younger, hanyou brother in the hallway after her drop off had given her some hope. That hope was quickly being dashed.

Her options where slightly different now though. The night had provided her with a little more information than she had when she'd first arrived. She had found out that two women had accompanied the inu brothers upon their return to the citadel. A girl and miko woman, the later she had found out to be with the hanyou. Since he seemed less than enthusiastic to crawl into bed with her at the moment, perhaps an alternate route was required.

The kindhearted miko had likely given the younger brother false hope and he was clinging to it like a babe still on the tit. Hanyou were outcasts in this world and few where shown any affection. Her brain was working overtime as she weighed in her options.

Piss the miko off and maybe the hanyou would be reprimanded. Then she would be there to 'console' his broken heart and she would be one step closer to fulfilling her mission. She didn't think it would be too hard to drive a wedge between the pair. After all, no real miko would be caught dead in a romantic relationship with a hanyou. There had to be another reason for the miko's being here. Perhaps she had accompanied the young youkai woman. Why? It really didn't matter.  She would stick to what she did best, getting information from men in the heat of passion.

First thing was first – get the miko out of the way. She just had to figure out a plan. So many ways to go about it but which would be the most effective? If all else failed she could just eliminate the woman all together. The world could always use one less miko.

She was also concerned with the fact that the Lord of the West hadn't seemed the least bit concerned about the attack on the island. Her master had seemed to think that his actions would create a reaction from the Taiyoukai. He had been certain he was on the right trail to finding his precious jewel. Though she wasn't sure exactly what he was looking for she was more than happy to be of some assistance to him.  Happy with the way her thoughts were going she slinked back into the shadows to continue her plotting.

A/N: A second treat for you all! The creative juices are flowing strongly and I have found some time. Enjoy!!
Thank you very much to my beta for your hard work and insight! Thanks again to my readers for your continued interest and reviews.

Converting /tmp/php3jmlwe to /dev/stdout