InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In Death, Trust Me, as You Didn't in Life ❯ Warmongering ( Chapter 34 )

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

Chapter 34: Warmongering

Ungai watched, silent, as another village burned, and then turned his back on those that had lived there, and died there, refusing to allow the bodies to be buried.

"Let them lay as they died as a warning to others about the dangers of consorting with demons."

His force was much smaller than it had been just days ago - and he scowled angrily as he thought back to the night he'd lost half his forces.

Someone used a passion potion so that we would despoil the miko that traveled with us... and one and all, we did. It must have been a demon lover who did such a thing - and when I find out who it was, that person will die slowly. I will make an example of them...

Even now, his army was moving slowly, battling lesser youkai and trying to recoup its former impressive stature - so this war would take longer to win than he had originally planned... but that was okay with him - his goals would not change no matter how long it took.

The total eradication of all demons... and especially the destruction of one...

Sesshoumaru - the infamous Lord of the West.

The one demon he had been unable to defeat, even with the younger monks that had traveled with him.

It was completely unacceptable that a demon had defeated a servant of the Buddha in the way that he had.

But it won't happen that way this time. Even one with such evil power as he cannot stand against an army. This time, I will not fail...

The Lord of the West shall fall.

His hands clenched as he made that vow...

No... this time, I will not fail you, my Lord Buddha.

---wWw---

Kagome opened her eyes slowly, hoping beyond hope that she'd done it right, and was back on the paths between the realms - and heaved a relieved sigh when she realized that she was, indeed, where she'd hoped.

And then she frowned.

Okay... now what? How do I find the realms of the kami from here? Do any of these paths lead to the place I need to go?

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even notice the heavy youki of her sudden companion until it practically smacked her over the head, and she started, hard.

Whirling around to see who it was, she stopped, stunned when she caught sight of the Inu no Taisho.

Although I probably shouldn't be so surprised, really.

"Ah... my Lord," she bowed, "to what do I owe the pleasure?"

Sugimi tilted his head and considered her for a moment, then grinned. "I am here, my dear, to be your guide." At her confused look, he elaborated. "You seek the kami, do you not? I will guide you to their realm."

Her eyes widened, and then she smiled, actually relieved. "Oh, that would be great!" She blushed a little, laughing at herself deprecatingly. "I kind of just came here, without any real clear idea of where I was going," her expression suddenly changed, going dark and haunted, "but... I... had to try. I..." she trailed off, and Sugimi looked at her solemnly.

"It took a while, but I see that you love my son very much, do you not?" he questioned.

She took a shaky breath, and nodded. "Yes. And I can't stand the thought that those misguided, hateful people want to take him away from me! I just... can't let it end that way - not without trying everything."

He looked at her, brow furrowed in curiosity. "If he left that life - even were he purified by that army, he would return here - and you would return with him. Haven't you yet realized, young miko, that you both live not only there, but here, as well? You aren't alive, but you aren't really dead, either."

She blinked. "I didn't realize that..." she looked down, thinking it through, then looked back up at him earnestly. "But it doesn't matter! If he were to die..." She shook her head vehemently, "... I can't let that happen. I don't want him to ever suffer again."

Sugimi studied her for a time, then asked, "And what of my other son? He who you loved first?"

Kagome's eyes widened, then her brow furrowed, and she looked away. "First..." she said musingly, "yes, I loved him - first. But..." she tilted her head up, eyes bright, "first... is not always best. I do still love Inuyasha, but my place is no longer at his side. I would do anything to protect all of my friends - but I would do everything to protect Sesshoumaru."

She sighed, and looked back at him.

"Because my place is by his side. Always."

With a smile, Sugimi nodded, and gesturing ahead of himself, he said, "Then come, my Lady. I believe I have a new realm to show you."

Kagome returned his smile, bowed, then straightened...

And walked forward into the realm of the gods.

---wWw---

Nyoko scowled at the scroll she was reading, irritated at the time it was going to take to complete this spell. Normally, it wouldn't bother her, but with things coming to a head soon with this Ungai and his baka followers, she didn't want to waste any more time than absolutely necessary.

Unfortunately, this was necessary.

Kagura, at this point, would only be an asset once she was under control, and right now, they needed every asset they could accumulate.

Because the situation was not good.

Even with the blows she'd struck to the monk's army, he was still strong - it wasn't possible for even a demon Lord of Sesshoumaru's incomparable strength to resist almost four hundred monks and priestesses trying to purify him.

And it would be even worse for those humans amongst his pack, she knew - including herself, if they were to fall at this monk's hands. While the demons would die swiftly, purified into nothingness, the humans would be tortured - and then burned... alive.

So no matter what, they could not lose.

She tapped the re-rolled scroll on her hand, a thoughtful look on her face.

What other little things do I have that may come in handy here? Perhaps... I should go through my little library and see while I wait for my potions to be ready...

By the time she'd gone through one-quarter of her library, she had a small stack of scrolls that she'd set aside as having potential to cause the enemy harm and frustration... and that pile was growing.

Boy... I'd forgotten how many nasty little tricks I have up my sleeves, so to speak. I'm going to have a hard time choosing from amongst these. And not all of them are even pranks... some of these are truly terrible.

Like this lightening spell...

I wonder how many of the fools I can fry with something like this?

Hmm...

Then she came across one particular scroll, at the back of the pile, covered in dust, and frowning, she unrolled it...

And almost fell over.

Oh! Kami... I'd forgotten this one! It's one that I've never used, of course, there's never really been a need, except that time with Midoriko...

She frowned then, annoyed for a minute. Although, in the end, it would have been better if I hadn't given it to her... she didn't even do it right, and then the world got stuck with that stupid shikon no tama.

But... if the spell were done right... it might just save us all.

She allowed the scroll to roll itself back up, and stared at it thoughtfully.

Dangerous knowledge, in the wrong hands, yes... as Midoriko had proven.

In the right hands, however...

---wWw---

"Oh for kami's sake, Sesshoumaru, if all you're gonna do is get all murderous on us because Kagome got a wild hair up her ass and ran off to try to do something in her own hare-brained way, then go find some other unfortunate group to torture - because we don't deserve it!" Inuyasha shouted, finally having had enough.

The demon Lord had been almost sadistic since Kagome had disappeared, pushing everyone to a grueling pace heading back to the village - and fighting every lesser demon that had the bad luck to get in their way.

Frankly, at this point, they were all exhausted - even the demons in the group were tiring.

"Come on, you stupid bastard! What the hell, huh? Do you think running us all ragged is going to help bring Kagome back?!"

Sesshoumaru had stopped, posture even stiffer than usual, on the path ahead of the group, not saying a word, but after the last outburst from Inuyasha, he'd snapped, and faster than anyone could even see, he had his brother pinned against another tree by the throat - only this time, he was serious.

"Silence, you ignorant half-breed!" he hissed, rage flickering in his aura. "You know nothing! Why do you think I push to return to your village? So that you and the others can keep them safe - while I go after her! You know my miko very well, Inuyasha - there is no telling what trouble she will find."

Inuyasha huffed, as well as he was able with almost no air, and finally managed to loosen his brother's grip just enough to gasp in a much-needed breath.

"I know how she is, Sesshoumaru, so if your so worried, go after her now! We can get back to the village on our own - we don't need you killing us to get us there!"

He stopped suddenly at that thought, slowly lowering Inuyasha back to his feet as he thought about it.

Could I?

Or... perhaps the correct question is, should I?

Kagome knows enough to get where she needs to go in the other realms - and truthfully, what could really happen? There is no death, so any danger is minor.

What, really am I worried about? She was in more danger here, than she is there... although she really was not in too much danger here, either, since she cannot die.

It is just that... I do not want her to go anywhere...

Without me.

But at this time - perhaps I should trust her to do what she needs to, and then return to me.

He turned on his heel and left his brother gasping, still trying to gather in air. "We will rest here for one hour." With that, he walked to the edge of a small grassy verge, and stood there, looking out across the plains towards the mountains in the distance, his mind obviously elsewhere.

No one dared to question him on his abrupt change of mood, and when they continued the journey after their hour was up, he made sure to go at a slower pace.

Even with that, they would reach the village by nightfall - and everyone was pretty thankful for that.

Though... once they'd arrived, the rest that they'd hoped to receive never materialized.

Instead, they were faced with a small, but rapidly growing force of angry village men intent on taking on the monk Ungai and his army - even if the group of humans and demons didn't join in the fight.

It seemed that Ungai was making more enemies by the moment.

---wWw---

Kagura lowered her feather slowly to the ground and stepped off, letting the swirling wind currents run through her now unbound hair. Closing her eyes, she lifted her face into the freshening wind, and let it caress her...

After a few moments, her eyes snapped open again, and she frowned, deeply uneasy with what the winds had spoken of.

Blood... betrayal... death. Fires rage, and blood is spilled - demon and human alike. Death stalks the lands... and all those that live within them. Monk that raises an army, to liberate the lands of demons... and all those that do not kill them. Beware, mistress... Beware.

That damn monk. He's nothing but trouble, for everyone. Somehow... someones got to stop him.

I bet... Sesshoumaru is already planning something - he isn't the type to take something like this laying down - and that fool of a monk isn't going to back down, either.

Stupid humans...

Maybe... maybe I should worry about the miko later. It won't do me any good to chase after what I want, only to end up dead before I even have the chance to gain it. And with this... if I can find strong allies for Sesshoumaru to stand against this monk and his army, well... maybe it will make him take notice of me.

Yes... maybe I can do this without spilling the miko's blood. I do not really hate her, truly, she is just a human, although powerful - it is just that she stands in my way. If I can show him that I am the only correct choice as a mate, then the miko can live.

But...

Where will I find willing allies?

She wandered slowly through the grasses as she thought on all that she had learned while enslaved by Naraku, and wondered if some of the demons that had not fallen to an evil fate by the spider's hands might listen to her. After all, if this monk desired the deaths of all demons, then...

They would be at risk, too.

It would benefit them to join with Sesshoumaru.

Hmm... she frowned as she thought of some possible allies... perhaps the panthers. They do not like the sons of the Dog General - but I bet they would like Ungai and his monks even less.

Yes... she mused, they are a possibility. I think it is time that I pay them a visit. And as for the sorceress... she scowled, I will deal with her after all this is over.

Tossing another feather, she climbed on and directed it into the east...

Where the panthers that were left had made their home.

---wWw---

The burning smoke that filled the valley was offensive to everyone... including the army that had caused the destruction that was being hidden by that same smoke.

It angered the other army that was currently standing on the other side of that valley, however...

Because this was the army of the daimyo of the region - and he very much wanted to know why this force of monks and... females, was destroying his property.

They had destroyed two of his villages so far, and he'd heard of the destruction in other's holdings from the Lords of those areas himself. He, however, had had time to gather his forces by the time the monk had crossed into his lands, and had swiftly moved to counter his army, only losing two villages, unlike most of the others.

Even still, the loss of two of his villages was unacceptable...

And the monk would answer for it.

"My Lord," one of his most trusted samurai bowed, "the monk, this Ungai, wishes to parley with you. What is your answer?"

Haru lowered his head and considered the grass at his feet. So... the monk wishes to speak? They are mere monks - and we are not youkai, so they have no power against us, save their own combat skills, which, while great, do not measure up to my samurai. Should I...? I am curious... why he is attacking as he is.

Yes... I will speak with him.

"I will speak with this monk. We will meet in the middle of the field - he and I, and two others from his army. I will take you, and one you choose, Sho. Send him my terms - we will see if he finds them acceptable. If not, we will destroy him, and then I will find out what I want to know on my own terms."

Sho bowed, and with a sharp gesture, sent one of his runners out to meet the opposing forces general, this Ungai, and let him know the terms.

"Yukio," he called, "come, attend your Lord and I." He glanced at his Lord, and was pleased when he nodded, approving the choice.

Haru looked away from Sho and back out to the field, where the smoke was finally beginning to thin... he could just make out his runner speaking to someone from the opposing force.

Will he have the courage to face me and explain this... or... is he a coward that will send others in his place?

I wonder...

It didn't take long before they were able to observe three people, besides the runner, who immediately headed back to his position, walk towards the middle of the field.

Haru waited for the runner to return and report that the monk had accepted and would meet him, and then he gathered Sho and Yukio, and prepared to meet this man that would come bringing war to his peaceful domain.

This monk had better hope that I agree with his reasoning...

Or he will die here.

---wWw---

As soon as they had stepped foot into the village, they had been overwhelmed by the things that had gone on during their absence, and Sango soon left Kaede's hut, where everyone was discussing what should be done.

She, however, had her own ideas.

There was one group of people that she herself could bring into the war...

But I haven't spoken to any of them since father... well... I was so busy chasing Kohaku and trying to gain vengeance on Naraku that I...

I will just have to explain to them why I didn't go to them when all that happened. Yutaka will understand - he would have done the same in my place.

With a stiff nod, she walked back to Kaede's and pulled Miroku and Inuyasha outside to tell them of her decision.

"I'm going to bring some more warriors to fight with us," she said, and Inuyasha immediately narrowed his eyes at her.

"What other warriors, Sango," he asked suspiciously, ignoring Miroku's chastising look.

She inhaled deeply, then let it out, and met his eyes firmly. "There is another village of... slayers... hidden in the mountains. They are very careful with letting others know of their home's location - for the very reason that mine was destroyed. But..."

Inuyasha cut in. "You mean to tell me there are more of you out there? And you never told us?" He glared at her. "And anyways... if they are so careful about their villages location, how do you know where it is?"

"Because... their headman is my cousin."

Before the half-demon could start ranting, however, Miroku smacked him in the back of his head with his shakujou.

"Be silent, Inuyasha. Does it matter that she has never spoken of them before? She had her reasons. She is, however," he pinned the male with a dark look, "willing to speak with them now on our behalf. The past is the past, so leave it there. Now, we have a new enemy, and need all the help we can get."

Sango nodded at Miroku. "Thanks..."

He bowed to her. "My pleasure." He straightened up, and locked gazes with her as Inuyasha just spluttered in the background. "I will accompany you, though, Sango, make no mistake. I will not let you go alone."

She started to argue, but his gaze hardened, and she knew that she would never win, so she reluctantly nodded.

"How long will it take you to get there," Inuyasha finally snapped out, and Sango started, turning back to him.

"Oh... on Kirara, one day. Then I will have to speak to the village leaders, and wait for their decision - and then there is the trek back, which will be slower. Give me five days. At the very least, we'll be back by then - even if we're alone."

"Fine. Go. But be careful, Sango... Miroku. This monk may hate demons," he looked around at the village, his gaze lingering on some of the dispossessed men, "but he seems to hate humans that befriend demons even worse."

Miroku and Sango's eyes met each others, and then clashed with Inuyasha's, and they nodded solemnly.

"We'll leave first thing in the morning, then," Sango said, and the half-demon tilted his head in acknowledgement, and watched two of his best friends walk away with a worried growl.

I hate this... but I can't deny, we need all the help we can get. If this fool wins...

We're all doomed.

---wWw---

A/N: Things are getting intense... there's one hell of a battle coming. And just what is Kagome really going to get from the kami in the way of help? Probably not what she's hoping for...

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