InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Love Thy Enemy ❯ Chapter 12

Love Thy Enemy

 

Okay, I've had my fun dropping vague hints here and there. Read on for some long-overdue explanations.

 

Also, you'll notice the story's title has changed. I just liked the sound of this title much better, never was too fond of `Love Me, Kill Me'.

 

Chapter 12

 

“Please come in, lord Sesshomaru,” the maid said, stepping from the door. Sesshomaru entered the sprawling manor house, looking around with disinterest. He had been to Naraku's home before, but the ambassador always managed to find some new bust or painting to decorate it. Two doors on either side of the hall led to the rest of the mansion, while a large staircase led to the balcony across from the front door.

 

“Master Naraku is in the lounge,” the maid said. Sesshomaru nodded and ascended the staircase to the second floor, running a claw along the polished dark wood. Soft piano music reached his pointed ears, and he followed the sound down the hall and to a set of double doors. Pausing, he listened to the music for a moment, then twisted the doorknob and pushed the doors open.

 

The luxurious room featured a lounge chair, television and sofa arranged around a central table. Against the far wall sat Naraku, playing a black grand piano. The hanyou had his eyes closed as his fingers moved over the keys, and he breathed deeply as the final note hung in the air.

 

“That was lovely,” Sesshomaru said. Naraku turned his head and smiled.

 

“Ah, Sesshomaru. Thank you for coming,” he replied, standing. “Care for anything?” he gestured to a small liquor cabinet at the side of the room.

 

“No thank you, tobacco does not sit well with youkai, nor does strong alcohol,” Sesshomaru said. Naraku nodded and pulled a small bottle of scotch from the cabinet. “So, Naraku, why did you call me here?”

 

“I have new information regarding the Order,” Naraku said, pouring himself a small glass of the alcohol. “Another of their number has been spotted.”

 

“Where?” Sesshomaru asked, his attention piqued.

 

“At a seaport, we've managed to identify her based on her badge and witnesses.”

 

“And this `we' is the youkai council, of course,” Sesshomaru said.

 

“Who else?” Naraku paused to take a sip of his drink. “Anyway, we have identified her as Abi, 5th Class.”

 

“5th?” Sesshomaru said. “That's a bit of a jump in rank from 8th. Why was she sent out?”

 

“We're not sure, but we have heard rumors that one of the three was on a cargo vessel.”

 

A chill swept through the room, and Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes only slightly.

 

“The three treasures?” he asked. Naraku nodded and walked to the window.

 

“They have found Yasakani-no-Magatama.”

 

“Amaterasu's necklace?”

 

“The same.” Naraku turned back to face Sesshomaru. “What is more, there was a miko there, perhaps to defend the treasure, or working with the Order.”

 

“The treacherous mikos would not be above that,” Sesshomaru agreed. “Who was the miko?”

 

“I believe she is a miko you know, one Kagome Higurashi.”

 

“Her?” Sesshomaru practically snarled. “That wench becomes an ever-present thorn in our sides.”

 

“I am afraid it's more complicated than that,” Naraku cut off. “Sesshomaru, you know the bond she shares with your brother.”

 

“Half-brother,” Sesshomaru reminded. “And that half, he continues to disgrace every time he goes on a mission and makes a fool of himself around that wretched miko.”

 

“As I said, it is more complicated than just that. Sesshomaru, how many times does Inuyasha spar with Kagome?”

 

“A dozen that I know of, over the last year or two.”

 

“And yet each time, he never kills her, and she never kills him. Interesting, isn't it?” Naraku mused.

 

“What are you insinuating, Naraku?” Sesshomaru muttered. He knew quite well, what the ambassador was implying. Still, he wished to hear it aloud.

 

“I am insinuating that perhaps your brother's loyalties are not as firm as you would like to believe,” Naraku said. “After all, did he not disown you and your father, did you not have to coerce him into allying with you? And his constant interactions with Kagome…I'm sure you could understand my suspicions. Add in the small complication that the two of them have now met three members of the Order…”

 

“Inuyasha is not their ally,” Sesshomaru said.

 

“But perhaps Kagome is, and if Inuyasha is betraying us to her then the result is the same,” Naraku insisted. “Sesshomaru, I do not blame you for no liking what I am about to say. All the same, I will ask it.” Naraku slowly walked up to the youkai and looked him in the eyes.

 

“Sesshomaru, could your brother betray us?” he asked. Sesshomaru held Naraku's gaze before looking away.

 

“I don't know,” he answered, “but it is a disturbingly plausible possibility.”

 

“I know. We have to act carefully around him, lest he know we suspect him.”

 

“Hmph. Inuyasha is too much of a fool for that. But agreed all the same. What course of action do you suggest?”

“Send him into battle with Kagome.”

 

“What!?” Sesshomaru cried out, unable to stop himself. Naraku sipped his drink again.

 

“Yes. If he is indeed betraying us to her, then I think it best we give him every possible chance to expose himself. If he is sincere, however…well, he still harbors feelings for the miko anyway, the time with her will likely be welcomed.”

 

“I do not approve of this. What does the youkai council have to say on my brother's situation?”

 

“Nothing, I've not told them,” Naraku shrugged.

 

“And why not, if he is indeed a spy they should be informed.”

 

“Yes, so that they in turn can inform your father?” Naraku asked. Sessomaru thought for a moment or two. He was most certainly his father's favored son, but he knew his father well enough to know he would not be spared his wrath if the man thought himself in the right. Sesshomaru was already bending rules to keep Inuyasha out of trouble.

 

“Point taken…so this recommendation on Kagome is your idea then?”

 

“Yes. I know I am not a councilor, but all the same I always act in what I believe to be the best interests of the council. I am confident they would agree to this course of action,” Naraku said. “In the meantime, to help keep him in line I've called in another ambassador to assist me.”

 

“Assist you how?”

 

“She'll be helping me keep an eye on him while I cannot be present. She'll be meeting him to bring him back to the base safely.”

 

“I don't need your help to keep my half-breed brother in line,” Sesshomaru growled.

 

“Yes, because you've been doing an excellent job of that so far,” Naraku chuckled. Sesshomaru bristled. “Please, Sesshomaru, such emotions are unbecoming of you.”

 

“…very well. But be sure if I am not pleased with this course of action.”

 

“Noted. But to be blunt, it matters not if you are pleased. What matters is that we do what must be done and do it efficiently and discreetly. This threat extends beyond your brother's treachery with Kagome. We are dealing with the Order, and can spare no effort to foil them.”

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

Inuyasha grunted as he shut his suitcase and lifted it off the bed. His week was up, and he was due to be back at the border in half an hour, or there'd be hell, a fine and Sesshomaru to pay. He walked out of the bedroom and took one more look at his old apartment. There was a prick on his neck, and Inuyasha's eyebrow twitched.

 

“Myoga…” he warned. The flea hopped onto Inuyasha's shoulder, and the hanyou turned his head to glare at him. “Took your time, I'm heading out. You just drop by for a snack?”

 

“Forgive me, Inuyasha-sama. I have worked diligently to serve you, I swear!” Myoga cried.

 

“Make it quick, I have to get back to the city line. What's Magatsuhi's deal?”

 

“Well, it was a bit tricky to find out. I am not sure what he desires now, but before his, ah, seeming demise, he was the leader of the Order of the Three.”

 

“The what?”

 

“Order of the Three, my lord. An ancient and powerful league dedicated to protecting the Three.”

 

“The three what?”

 

“Um…I'm not sure.”

 

“Well thanks for nothing,” Inuyasha muttered.

 

“There's more. In addition to the Three, whatever they may be, the Order of the Three was tasked to guard the most powerful man in the country. The Emperor.”

 

“Emperor?” Inuyasha asked, confused. “There is no Emperor, the imperial throne was vacated like…” he trailed off.

 

“The last Emperor was Ashikaga Yoshiaki, in 1597,” Myoga quoted. “That was when, with no Emperor to keep the peace, the youkai-miko war began again. It was 1597, that Magatsuhi's trail came to an end and the Order of the Three vanished.”

 

“Until…why?”

 

“I don't know.”

 

Inuyasha was silent for a moment. He had heard bits of information from Sesshomaru. Back when there had been one, the Emperor had succeeded in keeping peace between the two races. Then suddenly, Oda Nobunaga thrust the Emperor out of power. The imperial throne was vacated and the Sengoku Jidai began. Somehow in the turmoil and war, a successor to the throne never surfaced.

 

“I'm heading back to the base, you dig up what you can, alright?”

 

“Ah, Inuyasha-sama, might your most humble servant be rewarded?” Myoga asked eagerly. The hanyou rolled his eyes and pulled down the collar of his shirt. Myoga leapt up and grabbed onto the flesh eagerly. A few moments later, he jumped off and into the apartment.

 

“Thank you Inuyasha-sama!” Myoga called. Inuyasha grunted and went to the balcony. Placing a foot on the iron railing, he leapt off into the air, his hair and arms trailing behind him. Technically, traveling like this was illegal, but he was in a hurry. His feet padded on asphalt, brick and steel as he leapt and dashed across the city rooftops. He stopped and landed in an alley a few blocks from the city border. He stood and walked out of the alley with a smirk.

 

The border guards looked up as he approached, and he noticed them tense slightly. With a snort, Inuyasha walked up to the booth and tossed his ID on the counter.

 

“Inuyasha, checking out of leave,” he said. The guard in the booth swiped his ID card under a scanner, and looked over at a computer screen.

 

“Hold on, you got someone waiting for ya,” the guard said, reaching over the gate controls. The metal door for the gate slid open, and Inuyasha stepped to the side to look. A young woman with long red hair and a red skirt and white blouse walked through the gate. A pair of black sunglasses covered her eyes, but also pushed her hair back slightly. Her ears were pointed. Inuyasha sniffed. A neko.

 

“Inuyasha?” the neko asked, looking him over.

 

“Yeah, who the hell are you?” Inuyasha replied. The neko reached up to pull off her glasses, blinking bright blue eyes at him.

 

“I'm Yuka. I'm your new partner.”

 

“…my new what?”