InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In Death, Trust Me, as You Didn't in Life ❯ The Opening Salvo ( Chapter 31 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter 31: The Opening Salvo

Nyoko smiled at the group of monks, then bowed her head, moving slowly, confidently past them towards the cookfires. As far as the people around her were concerned, she was merely another miko that had joined the anti-demon army.

She chuckled inwardly. Oh well, what they don't know won't hurt them... or, wait - maybe it will.

It was convenient for her that after the army had gotten past a certain point in size, Ungai had ordered that everyone take turns cooking - and that all meals be prepared over certain fires at the center of the encampment.

It made it very easy to add her little seasonings - she was just one more miko detailed to cook that night. No one would be any the wiser - until it was far, far too late.

If she was lucky, her actions here this night would cause enough havoc to tie this group up for a week - giving Sesshoumaru and the rest of his allies that much more time to come up with a battle plan.

And even though he had not specifically asked her to do this, she was pretty certain he'd be more than pleased with the outcome. Besides - she was striking this blow because she wanted to, not for his sake.

She hated hypocrites. Bottom line, Ungai and these fools were hypocrites.

That's all the reason she needed - Sesshoumaru's involvement was just a plus, meaning that she'd get more than one chance to mess with this particular group of fools.

Tying her sleeves back as she saw the others doing, she melded seamlessly into the group of cooks, chattering and laughing with them like she had not a care in the world, inwardly disgusted at the happiness displayed by these women standing amidst the spoils of plundered villages - as far as she was concerned, this food was spoiled by the blood of those they'd killed to get it.

It disgusted her.

But Nyoko was nothing if not very skilled at disguising herself and pretending when it was needed, and she managed to fit right in to whatever place she found herself in - such as now, gossiping with a bunch of soon-to-be-deflowered bitches.

Wonder how they'll feel in the morning, when a bunch of them no longer have their powers?

She was always highly amused when she would hear miko talk of losing their powers if they lost their virginity; common belief was that it was bodily purity that counted - but that wasn't true. It was the purity of your heart and soul that mattered.

But so many of these simpletons believed it with all their hearts and minds - and because of that, come morning, they would find themselves unable to access their power...

All because they had convinced themselves that they'd lost it.

And as she seasoned each of the great spits of meat that lay across the fire with her potion, she had to laugh, even if only inside...

In one easy blow, she would remove at least a third of this army - and all without one death.

Not bad for the first strike of the war.

---wWw---

Kagome screamed, and before anyone could wake and understand what was happening, she bolted up from her bedding and moved to the edges of the camp, retching into the bushes, unable to even breathe with the horrors still burning into her mind.

Immediately, and almost instinctively, she knew that what she'd just experienced, what had just ripped her violently from her sleep, was not a dream, not a nightmare. It was a vision, and a vision of something that had just recently happened... but also a harbinger of things still to come.

As her stomach tried to jerk itself from her body, Sesshoumaru moved to help her, holding her hair away from her face, and rubbing her back soothingly, his instincts in an uproar at the upset to his woman.

Especially as he had no idea what was even wrong.

She was retching, but not bringing anything up, as there was nothing in her stomach to bring up, and sobbing, fear absolutely permeating her scent. That was something he'd never smelled from her, because she'd never really shown fear like this before.

Finally, as everyone in camp stared at her back in shock, and Sesshoumaru turned a warning look on them all, making them turn away, she began to calm a bit, and stopped retching. He pulled her to him, holding her in his lap as he continued to comfort her, hating her small cries and the shivering that was causing her tiny body to shake almost violently.

As she began to quiet enough to hear him, he asked, "What is wrong, Kagome? This is not like you, koi."

She inhaled deeply, then exhaled on a sob, and with a hiccup, she tried to steady her breathing for a moment. After a few minutes, she was able to calm enough to speak.

"I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to wake everyone - especially like that. It's just..." she trailed off, closing her eyes, shuddering again as flashes of fire, desecrated bodies, and destroyed lives flashed behind her eyelids.

"I... had a vision."

Sesshoumaru's eyebrows winged into his bangs, the surprise of her words catching him off-guard. "Explain."

"Ungai - and his army have begun attacking humans as well as rogue demons. We all know this, as Kanna's mirror showed us that. But it's only going to get worse. I saw..." her stomach heaved, and she paused, then continued. "I watched, Sesshoumaru. If we don't stop him, he will leave all of the lands burning behind him. He's mad - what little sanity he once had has been leeched away by his hatred - and by the glory he thinks he will be covered in if he can destroy all demons... and the humans that befriend them."

Lifting a fear-ridden gaze to his, she let the tears come.

"If we don't stop him, Sesshoumaru, you, and every demon alive today... won't be in the very near future. I think he might just be the reason that demons don't exist in my time."

He tightened his arms around her as he held her eyes, completely ignoring the gasps and other sounds of shock from the rest of the group.

Speaking softly, for her hearing only, he said, "We will not allow this, Kagome. And you must not fear - no matter what happens... we will never be apart again. In life, or in death - it matters not."

She searched his eyes desperately, clinging to the certainty she found there with all her might.

I hope you are right, Sesshoumaru - because I can't live without you - nor could I find any peace in death if you were not with me.

You have bound me too tightly to your side to even think of being separate again.

---wWw---

Nyoko watched as streams of monks and priestesses came to eat, and slowly, ever so slowly, worked her way back out of the encampment, assured that within another two hours, after the 'seasoned food' had been consumed, things would start getting heated between the males and females in the camp.

It would certainly be a rather entertaining orgy, that was for sure - but she wasn't interested in watching. No, what she wanted to see was the outcome - she wanted to watch what would happen in the morning.

It would be chaotic, that was for sure...

With that thought in mind, she made her way to where the void child was waiting, and rolled herself happily into her bedding, extremely excited and knowing that she wouldn't get much sleep this night.

Neither would Kanna, actually - as they were set up in a tiny glade not very far from the edges of Ungai's, and the sounds of rutting would carry very easily.

She was correct in that; it was definitely a long night.

By the time morning came, it had been silent for only an hour or two at most, and, with a weary sigh, Nyoko stood and rolled up her blanket, then motioned for Kanna to settle before her.

"Alright... let's see how things are going over in that bastard's encampment, shall we?
Kanna didn't say a word, but her mirror shimmered and went dark - then cleared, and focused in on Ungai himself.

Nyoko promptly folded over in hysterical glee.

There, looking around in confused horror, was the cause of this whole mess - naked, and curled up with not one but two very nude miko - who began shrieking and crying as they woke and realized their circumstances.

"Oh... my... kami!" Nyoko burst out, almost unable to speak around her laughter. "I would scream, too, if I'd just woken up naked next to that wrinkled old bat! I mean, who'd have thought he had it in him..." she trailed off into more giggles.

Pulling its perspective back a little, the mirror showed an overview of the camp, with similar scenes taking place everywhere. It seemed that not one miko had kept her virginity last night - all of them had lain with someone.

And as things played out, it looked as though almost all of the females were now convinced they were no longer miko.

That went even better than I thought... I figured I'd cut about half of the women out, and instead, I got almost every single one!

What she hadn't prepared for were the males that suddenly deserted the cause, believing themselves unworthy to be called monks because they had defiled 'holy maidens'.

All in all, she had taken almost half his force with just this one move, though she didn't fool herself; she knew he would find more to replace those lost. But that would take time - and it was very possible he would never regain the sheer numbers he had now.

It was also quite clear that this army wouldn't move for some time, the upheaval and confusion too great to be overcome in just a day or two.

Perhaps, if she could convince Sesshoumaru, they should strike soon - while the enemy was still in such an uproar. It was a distinct tactical advantage to have an enemy that was in chaos and unable to respond with their full capabilities.

Especially in these circumstances - after all, one of the biggest detriments to those with holy powers was a loss of belief in themselves... if they felt unworthy, their power suffered for it, making them weak, and easily overcome.

With that thought firmly in her mind, she stood, and replicating one of Kagura's feathers, she said, "Let's get going, Kanna. The sooner we can reach Sesshoumaru with this news, the better."

"Hai, Lady Nyoko. He will be most pleased with your work this day." The pale girl climbed onto the enlarged feather, and with a swift roll of her hips, Nyoko turned the feather easily, and they took off, traveling swiftly towards the west...

And Sesshoumaru.

---wWw---

"Fuck!"

Inuyasha skidded to a halt, swearing at the top of his voice. He'd just not had a good last few days.

After he'd left the group, he'd run for hours, heading nominally back towards Kaede's village, though with no plans to actually enter it... he just wanted the comfort of something familiar around him as he tried thinking about his life.

And of course, as soon as he'd sat down with a plan to think, something had interfered. If he didn't know better, he'd think the kami had something against him thinking...

Feh... they probably do. Or at least, Sesshoumaru the ice bastard would say so.

It seemed that old Ungai was really making waves, and his brother had sent warning that it was not safe for him to be alone at this time.

With what Kanna had shown him, he had to say his brother was right.

There was no way he could fight off that many people with holy ki, and so, reluctantly, and with a great deal of irritation, he was getting ready to head back to the group.

However, just as he'd taken off to do so, he'd realized that what he'd seen happening to those villages, would be what would happen to Edo, if they weren't careful - and he was absolutely determined that that would not come to pass.

So... he'd come to a skidding halt, and now it was time to turn back and go track down Kaede.

With an irritated sigh, he leaped forward and headed at top speed for her hut, knowing that at this time of day, she'd be there working with her herbs, unless she'd been called out for a specific reason.

What he found when he arrived, however, wasn't what he'd expected.

Kaede already knew all about Ungai, and his atrocities - because several survivors of his raids had found their way to Edo, many of them very, very dangerously enraged and vindictive males, who were very ready to join any army that would oppose the monk and his followers.

That got Inuyasha thinking.

"Oi, Kaede. I've got an idea. Why don't we let these men train, and I'll go and drag Sesshoumaru back here. I can convice Kagome, at the very least, she won't ever allow this village to be left unprotected - and he won't let her be left unprotected."

Kaede considered him for a moment, then set aside the herbs she'd been sorting and thought about it. "So you will bring your brother back here, and meet Ungai in battle somewhere close - and allow these men to also fight?"
"Well, why not? They deserve to gain their vengeance for all their losses, don't they? And this way, the village is protected, and won't fall to the same fate those others did." He folded his arms into his haori sleeves and held her gaze firmly. "It's better than being left undefended, wouldn't you say?"

"Ay... but where would two armies meet, Inuyasha?"

"On the plains two hours east of here, baba. Where better?"

She thought about that for a few moments, then nodded. "Hai... I see your point. We will let them stay here, and wait for you to return. Do not tarry, though, Inuyasha. Somehow, I do not think we have much time."

He stood immediately, grinned, and said, "I never 'tarry', old woman! See you in a few days!" With that, and a wave, he was off.

Kaede watched him leave, and a concerned frown touched her face.

Be safe, Inuyasha.

---wWw---

Kagura hovered high above the lake on her feather, watching carefully to make sure there was going to be no attack, and waited. She stayed that way for hours, and then carefully, cautiously moved, lowering her feather steadily, but slowly.

While she might have looked like the epitome of patience on the outside, on the inside, she was snarling in frustrated rage.

All of what I went through - gone! And now I have to start all over - just because that bitch Nyoko didn't tell me that this lake, the only place in the four lands that this particular herb grows, has a guardian!

She's messing with me, and I'll make her pay... as soon as I have themiko out of my way and don't need her any more.

When she'd first arrived at this lake, she'd been unaware that she'd need to be careful, and so had just come in, and started searching for what she needed - and had promptly been attacked for her efforts.

Unfortunately, during the attack, she'd been dumped right on her ass on the ground, losing every ingredient that she'd already gathered - which meant she had to start all over again.

Now, finally, she was back here... and not about to fal for the same thing twice. That was why she was being so careful

Glancing at the still waters of the lake, she frowned.

I don't understand this. I barely sneezed last time and got trampled - and yet this time, there's nothing?

That stupid water oni has to be here somewhere...

Nyoko chuckled as she watched the wind witch in Kanna's mirror - looked like her little prank from before had worked, and Kagura was none the wiser. At this rate, with all her, rather wasted, caution, she'd be at the lake for days.

Water oni, indeed!

"Doesn't she know that there's no such thing as a water oni? Water elemental's, yes, but..." She trailed off into laughter, and Kanna shook her head.

"Kagura is not concerned with others, only herself. Because of this, she has learned almost nothing of the world."

"Yeah, I've noticed... and it makes pranking her so very easy! I could keep her going for the next century - but I have to say, it would get boring after awhile," she sighed a bit morosely.

Then she straightened. "Oh, well... there's always Sesshoumaru! And speak of the devil, we're almost there. I'd better let him know we're coming, don't want him getting crabby with us."

She pulled a small pouch from her obi, and pouring a small amount of powder from it into her hands, she tossed it into the air, muttering a quick incantation as she did so.

Immediately, the strange powder sparked, blowing upwards into the air and sending out a small explosion of color and sound....

And with that announcement, she floated straight into the middle of his camp, then dropped gracefully to the ground before a stoic demon Lord.

"Hey, Sesshoumaru. Got your message, and came as quick as it was convenient for me."

At that, a dark-haired female burst into laughter, carefully watching Sesshoumaru's face as she stepped forward, noting the almost resigned look in his eyes, she said, "You must be Nyoko. I'm Kagome - pleased to meet you!"

Nyoko's brow shot straight into her bangs. "You're Kagome?" With a wicked grin, she looked at Sesshoumaru. "I'm surprised, to say the least, my Lord. She seems much too mischievous for your uptight tastes!"

As the rest of the group tittered with nervous laughter, Kagome just dissolved into giggles. "Oh... I think I'm gonna really like you, Nyoko." She glanced at Sesshoumaru again, as he eyed her disapprovingly.

"Anyone who can stand up to him, and still maintain their sanity, is alright in my books!"

Sesshoumaru sighed as he watched the two make friends.

Perhaps I should rethink certain things...?

---wWw---

A/N: Things are about to get very entertaining, now that Nyoko's been introduced to the group at large - and Sesshoumaru is going to get a bit uncomfortable... and he's not the only one!

Amber