InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Peace Treaty ❯ Swords ( Chapter 30 )

The leader of the House of the West watched as the assembly of Youkai greeted each other and solemnly took their places, all anxious to begin discussions. The seat next to Sesshoumaru was unoccupied, he noted with a raised eyebrow, but his son didn't seem concerned.

 

The previous two days had been spent encrypting summaries of the compiled information and dispatching them to the spies scattered across the land, and more than once General Inutaisho thanked the gods that his grandfather had insisted on keeping a huge aviary stocked with messenger birds bred for both speed and distance. The code readers did not sleep at all that last night, sifting over the return missives as they arrived. Gina scolded him for keeping Lady Inoue so busy, but it couldn't be helped; her ability to decipher was essential. Now they gathered to determine their next move, a daunting prospect considering the dangers of a single misstep.

 

He stood slowly and addressed them. “Greetings again, to all of you. Now that we've directed our agents' attention to Higurashi family lands, our purpose today is to decide how to proceed, specifically whether or not to inform the Ningen Council of our findings. Will those in favor of sharing our knowledge please begin.”

 

There was a brief pause as the Youkai regarded one another. Lord Araki, intelligence officer of the House of the East, stood. “As we know, Kurono and Akagawa have an ally on the Council of Great Families. We certainly cannot communicate with the group as a whole, but I believe we should, at least, make an attempt with the generals we had contacted late this summer. They have proven themselves trustworthy, and we need Ningen allies.”

 

“I concur that we need allies with the Ningen,” said Lord Sawaki, rising, “but, at this point, trustworthiness is questionable. All we really know is that the members of the Council can be bribed. Yes, Generals Furuki, Kitabashi, and Miyamoto desired War's End, but will they side with us if forced to choose?”

 

Lord Noboru got to his feet. “They have already shown whose side they will take. They risked everything in proposing the peace treaty originally, and we'd be foolish if we ignored the help they could provide now.”

 

“We'd be foolish if we tipped our hand too quickly,” countered Sawaki. “Our advantage currently lies with the fact that, so far as we know, Ningen remain ignorant to our knowledge of kayaku. If we alert any of them, that advantage will be erased. And who is to say they support us over their generals?”

 

General Suzaku now stood. “I say it. Our own vulnerability lies over the long term. Our eventual population decline. The realization of this weapon. Ningen have primarily immediate-term weaknesses. Their famine and refugee situations are problems that necessitate the continuation of the peace treaty. A resumption of war would devastate them. Even if they had full function of kayaku, it would still divert resources, food, andim shelter to armies rather than those who are without. They could reengage in hostilities, but it would mean mass starvation and displacement to their people. Surely Furuki knows that.”

 

“I agree it is illogical for them to want to break the treaty, but they could easily be persuaded by Kurono and Akagawa of the benefits.”

 

“Lord Sawaki is correct,” said Lord Seiryu, Leader of the South. “Ningen have never shown anything but contempt for prior treaties. There is nothing to make us believe this one will be honored.”

 

Lady Inoue struggled to her feet. “I beg to differ, Lord Seiryu. Lady Kagome obviously shows they are in earnest. If we think of them all as the enemy, we may be missing an opportunity to gain information and allies of our own. Spies on the ground can only do so much.”

 

“While it is true that Lady Kagome resides with Youkai, she is but one woman. They would justify sacrificing her with ease. I still say it is too early to throw our trust in that direction,” Lord Seiryu insisted.

 

“I believe the Ningen generals who worked with us to achieve the peace treaty are honorable men,” General Inutaisho asserted. “It may be premature to contact them, but we should at least start making plans to include them in our efforts. We need to learn how to defend against this new weapon, and if there is a chance to sabotage it, we may need help. As I have said before, we have too long assumed our superiority. We need to accept the fact that this could require working with Ningen allies.”

 

“General Inutaisho and I have had much battle field experience with these three generals,” Suzaku said, “and I agree, they are honorable men. I think contacting them would be a show of trust.”

 

Sesshoumaru and Noboru rose to concur, but Lord Sato, General Inutaisho's closest advisor, stood and spoke, “But is the show of trust worth it if it results in betraying our position?” He eyed his lord carefully. “There surely can be no harm in waiting at least until our spies can search Higurashi lands and give a report.”

 

“The harm may be in waiting too long,” General Suzaku said, glowering. “If the rebel generals get to the Council at large before we do, we will have lost a tactical advantage.”

 

Lady Nekoko looked slyly at her father, Lord Byakku, and rose to her feet. “Let us sit,” she invited. “Please.” The female tiger youkai paused, not bothering to suppress her amused grin as she waited for the standing Youkai to reluctantly take their seats. Nekoko, a born trickster, lived to stir the pot. If she had to be the one to negotiate for the greater good, at least she could tease while she did it. “All we know for certain is that we trust each other. I think we can agree that the Ningen generals who helped arrange the peace treaty are to be believed, though perhaps now is not the precise time to test that assumption. It is also agreed that we need crucial information before we know exactly how close the renegades are to using this weapon on the battle field. I propose we wait to make a substantive move until we receive intelligence from Lady Kagome's family estate, at which time we can alert key members of the Council. Make an offer to work to together, accompanied by a soft threat, the lowering of hunting quotas for example, to emphasize the precariousness of their position.”

 

“Oh the irony,” laughed Lord Haruto, breaking the silence. “A Torayoukai suggesting prudence and compromise. Lady Nekoko, is it lying down with the dogs which is affecting you so positively?”

 

“Mmm, Lord Haruto,” she replied flirtatiously, “perhaps you should try it yourself.”

 

Lady Seiobo, already irritated, decided to put a stop to that conversation before someone took offense. “Lady Nekoko, of course,” she began brusquely, “is correct about waiting for information before we go to the Council. Our spies have been alerted, now it is up to them.”

 

General Inutaisho was grateful for his mate's quick intervention. He hated the niceties of diplomacy.

 

The meeting continued the rest of the morning as the Youkai spymasters related the messages received and further tasks were assigned, finally breaking up after consensus was achieved. As they left together, General Inutaisho asked Sesshoumaru the reason for Kagome's absence.

 

“She pushed herself to the point of exhaustion yesterday, and I felt she should sleep,” he answered, “though she's probably up and back in the arena by now. The woman is tiringly single-minded.” And impressive, he reflected. He had overseen her training the day before and, though he had seen her spar many times, her physical abilities and quick thinking still amazed him.

 

“Have the details of the tournament been hammered out?” All the House leaders were excited about the proposed contest, the inherent rivalries and competitiveness quickly getting the better of them.

 

“After meeting with Lord Noboru and Lord Haruto extensively yesterday, I believe we finally worked out a framework upon which all can agree. It will take place tomorrow, single-elimination, each House putting forward two challengers, who will draw lots to determine the match-ups,” Sesshoumaru reported as they walked toward the arena. “The first round will be empty hand, the final two fought with sword.”

 

“I can't wait to see it,” the General enthused. “I shouldn't be so eager to see a Ningen humiliate Youkai, but the look on Suzaku's face will be priceless. It may even make putting up with your mother's coldness worth it. She threw me out of bed last night when I told her about the wagers that I plan to put on the fights.”

 

“You know, you only have yourself to blame,” Sesshoumaru said dryly. “You're lucky Mother doesn't hold her grudges long. Usually.”

 

“Oh, I'm not worried. Winter's coming fast, and she hates to sleep alone when it's cold,” he chuckled. “How is the training going?”

 

Sesshoumaru noticed the pointed interest in his father's voice and wondered what he wagered. “She can disarm most of our warriors in little time, though I think her familiarity with them is a factor. I would that there was someone new, someone she's not sparred with before, to offer the unexpected; she'll be tested tomorrow. I'd ask you to do it,” he said sardonically, “but she's already fought you.”

 

General Inutaisho laughed loudly. “Heard about that, did you? I've not seen anything like her,” he admitted. “Why not train with her yourself?”

 

“Good gods, did she put you up to that? This tournament is bad enough,” Sesshoumaru scoffed. “I'm not about to fight my own mate.”

 

They entered the training arena to find Kagome going through forms. She saw them and jogged over, smiling brightly. At the Sisterhood Kagome had always enjoyed hard physical training, and, feeling in her best shape since turning eighteen, she looked forward to the challenge of competing against the most seasoned warriors the Houses had to offer. “I was just getting started. Who do you have for me to fight today?” she asked, looking at General Inutaisho with delight.

 

Sesshoumaru was torn between approval of her ambition, disapproval of her cheek, and lust. “I'm taking you to the armory, miko. You need a better sword.”

 

As they walked toward the armory, a large building near the barracks housing the majority of the weapons and armor, Kagome said, “I know each House will have two representatives tomorrow. Who is the other beside me?

 

“Kouga, though he only agreed when he learned that members of the same House won't fight each other unless both make it to the final round. Seems he is not interested in being your punching bag,” he rermarked.

 

“I think he secretly likes it,” she said. “Gina said Ayame has him wrapped around her little finger. I guess you're not the only dog who likes to be controlled by a female,” she taunted, reaching behind and groping his backside.

 

“What do you think you're doing?” he growled as he grabbed the straying hand. “I'll teach you control tonight, naughty miko. Now behave.” His admonishment was followed by a surreptitious fondling of her breast.

 

“Why don't you enter the tournament?” she asked, playfully baiting. “As powerful as you are, you seem the logical choice.”

 

“I can't be beaten in single-combat,” he replied simply. “There's no honor in fighting a contest with a foregone conclusion.”

 

This made Kagome curious. She longed to see all of what he was capable, only knowing of his reputation as supremely powerful.

 

The entrance to the armory was flanked by two stone-faced guards, who opened the doors for Sesshoumaru and Kagome. Inside were countless racks and shelves containing the manor's arsenal of armor, bows, quivers, staffs, and swords. They walked through the vast, crowded room to a smaller area in the back. Armor and swords were hung on the wall, displayed reverently, almost as if it were a shrine. Kagome recognized the armor she had seen worn by Sesshouamru and General Inutaisho and was in awe of the craftsmanship of the tooled leather and forged metal plates and highly lacquered scabbards.

 

“These belong to the leaders and ranking officers of the House. We all possess several swords of varying lengths and purposes, some are worn every day, some, housed here, are only used for battle or ceremony. When a male Taiyoukai reaches the age of majority, a sword is forged for him, staying with him all his life and into the grave,” he explained, “though there is a special bond between a Taiyoukai and every weapon he uses. Ownership can only be transferred if taken by force or freely bestowed. My father, as House leader, has given you permission to use one of these.”

 

“I'm honored,” she said honestly, surprised and grateful. Kagome perused the swords hanging beneath her mate's armor. They were all remarkable, but one caught her eye. It seemed to pulse, as if alive. The hilt was decorated with elaborate braided cord and had an intricately carved brass hand guard. “This one's beautiful,” she said, running her fingers down the length.

 

“It's worthless. Tensaiga,” he spat, voice dripping with derision. “Its purpose is to heal. The ancient Youkai bladesmith who made it for me said it can resurrect the dead…that the sword would show me how. Fool. A sword is to bring death, not cheat it.”

 

“Restore life? It sounds very powerful.”

 

“It doesn't work. The one time I tried to use it, nothing happened.”

 

Kagome turned to look at him, standing so calm and still, with a hard heaviness beneath the stoicism. She wanted to know more, but decided it was not the time to probe. “Well I definitely need the hurting-type sword,” she said lightly, changing the subject. “Show me another.”

 

They examined several, all of the finest quality, honed blades with a single, razor-sharp edge. Kagome paused in front of one hanging under General Inutaisho's armor. Its well-worn hilt was wrapped with gray silk and capped with gold at the end. “My father's battle sword,” he stated, seeing where her attention was fixed.

 

Kagome grasped the scabbard near the hand guard and slowly lifted it from the pegs on which it rested. She gripped the hilt and firmly pulled the sword from its sheath. The blade sang, a solitary high note like a wail of mourning. Metal shone bright and deadly in the filtering sun; the deep groove cut into the blade a dark valley. “This sword killed my father,” she whispered, staring at it.

 

“Kagome…I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking.”

 

She shook her head, barely perceptible, as if hypnotized. She dropped the scabbard and ran her palm along the edge, cutting flesh, leaving a vivid stain of liquid red on the cold steel. Her thumb retraced the trail of blood, smearing it along the blade, blurring the anger. “I want this one,” she said, quietly resolute. “Will your father give consent?”

 

Sesshoumaru watched her with narrowed eyes. “Kagome, are you certain?” he asked carefully. “We can find a more appropriate one.”

 

“It's a good sword. Longer than many, but that will help compensate for my shorter reach,” she said logically. She looked up at him. Grief and stubbornness were drawn on her face in equal measure. “I'm connected to it.” Grief won over, and she quickly blinked back tears. “I need to be alone.”

 

“Kagome…”

 

“I'm not running from you, Sesshoumaru. I…I'm alright.” She smiled at him softly. “I just need to be alone a little while. I'm alright.” She sheathed the sword and turned, head held high, but burdened.

 

He watched her walk away and felt the leaden weight of history tugging at them once again.

 

XXXXX

 

“What were you able to learn of her from Sesshoumaru's troops, Kenta?” Lord Noboru asked the hulking Takayoukai standing next to him. They met after the morning meeting to discuss the upcoming tournament.

 

“Nothing too specific,” he said. “I had to wait until they were well into their cups last night before I could even bring up the subject of the Ningen woman. She must be quite a fighter. All they would own is that she's fast and smart, expert with a sword, and has beaten each of them at one time or another. They spoke of her with respect, like she's one of them.”

 

Noboru burst out laughing. “If you'd have told me a year ago that the great Lord Sesshoumaru would be mated to a Ningen, a miko no less, whom he would permit to train with his troops, I'd have called you utterly deficient in common sense.” He shook his head to clear the mirth from it. “As appealing as the idea of taking her down myself in the final round, I've consulted with Lord Haruto, and it is agreed—she cannot be allowed to get that far. The honor of our Houses is at stake. Indeed that of all Youkai. The West must not be triumphant.”

 

“And what are you suggesting, my lord?” Kenta inquired. Lord Noboru was honorable and would never fix a fight, but there were many methods to achieve one's end.

 

“That the Youkai who is first paired with the miko doesn't fight to win, but to injure. If she does happen to make it past the first round, she'll be unable to continue.” He paused and looked around, verifying their privacy. “Nothing that would end in permanent damage. Sesshoumaru would kill the unfortunate opponent. No, she just needs a handicap…a broken arm, perhaps?”

 

“Which arm? I was able to surmise her single-arm strokes are equally strong on both sides. I suggest we target a knee. One good kick could have her—”

 

“—crawling away, or worse, carried out, crying in pain? The perpetrator would find himself disemboweled by her mate in an instant. We can't cripple her. She needs to be able to walk away…just not fight further.” He frowned guiltily; the matter was distasteful, but necessary. “Now then, everyone has a dominant side. At dinner observe with which hand she eats. If you are matched against her tomorrow, focus your efforts on that arm. I'll tell the same to Lord Haruto. The North, of course, is being difficult and won't name their entrants. There's only a one in three chance she'll be against one of them, so the odds are on our side.”

 

“Yes, my lord. But if she's half as shrewd as they implied last night, it might not be as easy as you'd like,” Kenta said.

 

“Bahh,” Noboru snorted dismissively. “Don't tell me you are besotted with the puny human as well. Sesshoumaru may have found himself a little firebrand for his bed, but it's high time she learned her place in our world.”

 

XXXXX

 

Sesshoumaru, lying in bed alone, caught scent of his mate just before he heard her enter their darkened bedroom. She laid his father's sword gently on the table and shrugged off her clothes as she walked toward the bed, leaving them where they fell, then crawled between the sheets. Her cold, naked body pressed against him, but the mouth at his neck was warm. He hadn't known what type of behavior to expect from her upon coming to bed, but this was not even considered. She had come back to the arena that afternoon and trained hard, though seemed distant and distracted. She quit early, pleading a need to meditate, and was absent from dinner. He granted her expressed need for solitude. Anticipating melancholy or anger, it was a pleasant surprise to find her climbing on top of him, a chill hand brushing down his side, tongue and teeth working his collarbone with a ferocity he'd not yet seen in her.

 

“I need you,” she said urgently, moving down, settling her moist heat against his hardening length. Her hands explored his strong shoulders, followed by her mouth as she kissed and nibbled his ivory skin. He ran his hands up her bent legs, delighting in the smooth, muscled flesh, caressing her hips, then kneading her round backside, long fingers teasing her already dripping entrance. Her attentions moved to his broad chest, nimble tongue tracing pectorals and fixing on a nipple. She licked lazy circles, tasting it while he moaned, then bit sharply, eliciting a shocked gasp from him. None of his prior lovers had ever done such a thing, and he felt her smirking as she continued lightly chewing. Her reward was a rough slap to the bottom, and it was Kagome's turn to be taken aback. The expression of disconcert on her face was replaced by a wicked grin, as she scolded, “Bad dog,” and proceeded to push her hips back, grinding against his now fully engorged erection.

 

He guided her hips lower and thrust up with his own, submerging himself in her hot, silken depths. “Gods, Kagome,” he growled, claws digging into her as he tried, unsuccessfully, not to break skin. She groaned his name and laid her forehead on his shoulder, content to let him move her body up and down against his. The sensations increased in intensity, leaving his breath ragged and her clinging to his arms.

 

She straightened and pushed herself up, arching her back to take him more fully, moving with him. The new position hit a swollen, sensitive spot that made her scream in pleasure. “Faster. Unnhhh…gods…harder. Fuck me harder,” she moaned. The sight of her above him, demanding, flushed with ecstasy as her climax hit, sent him tumbling over the edge. She sank down numbly, and they panted together, sweaty and satisfied.

 

Kagome felt and heard the rhythmic drumbeat of his heart, pounding under her cheek. “Sesshoumaru,” she whispered, “how is that I spend half my life burying pain and sorrow under mountains of work, but when I'm with you, whom I've known a month, I forget so effortlessly?” He didn't answer, merely stroked her hair, sliding his claws along the nape of her neck. Sensing that their intimacy made him less guarded than usual, she decided to ask him the question that had been itching at the back of her mind since they had stood in front of the exquisite sword in the armory. “Whom did you try to bring back? With Tensaiga.” Her voice was gentle and firm.

 

Now limp, he slipped out of her and rolled her off him. “Kintaro, after he killed himself,” he replied without a trace of emotion. “There wasn't enough left of my sister and her pup to try. Kintaro was whole. But Tensaiga did nothing. It failed. I failed,” he sighed heavily. “After that it went into the armory, and I swore I'd never use it again. If it wouldn't save someone like him it was worthless to me.”

 

Kagome kissed his lips tenderly. He wore a hard, expressionless mask, but the beautiful topaz eyes were filled with grief. “Perhaps the sword didn't save him because he didn't want to live without his mate and child.”

 

His face softened slightly. “Perhaps.” He pulled her close into his arms.

 

“What an odd pair we are,” she murmured after a moment.

 

“Hmm? A Ningen and a Youkai?”

 

“A miko and a Taiyoukai.” Her fingers twisted in the long hair that had fallen over his shoulder. “What did you think of me when we first met?”

 

“That you were a halfwit,” he answered automatically. “You looked stunned and vacant.”

 

“Hey,” she protested, tugging on his hair, “that's not kind. I was a little tired and overwhelmed.”

 

“That was only at first. I quickly realized you were an insolent miko with a foul mouth and a nasty temper.”

 

She laughed softly. “And look how wrong you were.”

 

“I'll stand by the accuracy of my initial perceptions. Ouch! Stop pulling my hair, vicious miko.” He pushed her back, pinning her against the pillows. “And what did you think of me?” he asked, nuzzling the bite mark near the side of her neck.

 

“When I first saw you I thought you were beautiful. A bit later I decided you were painfully arrogant.” She sighed in bliss at the things he was doing to her throat and jaw line with his lips and teeth. “I was right on both counts.”

 

“You are dangerously close to a prolonged spanking,” he threatened, mouth heading south once again to capture a rosy-tipped breast.

 

“Promise?” she moaned.

 

“As much as I'd like to see that lovely white ass bright red, it's time to go to sleep, miko.” He lay back and gathered her to him. “Tomorrow is a big day, and you'll need to be at your best.”