InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Peace Treaty ❯ Kurono and Akagawa ( Chapter 34 )

Kagome quietly entered the bathhouse changing room and disrobed. The moon was full that night, sky clear, and she eagerly anticipated her ritual and the chance to fully renew her energy, now possible with the permanent removal of the subjugation beads. She drifted through the floating steam and then eased into the blissfully warm water, noting that she was the only soul therein. Because the temperature had dropped a great deal in the past month and the cold would make achievement and maintenance of her trance more difficult, she was grateful for the lack of distractions. There was no need for solitude to purify physically, but meditation in preparation for the rite was best undertaken with solemnity.

 

She leaned back against the smooth rock and closed her eyes. The events of the day kept replaying in her mind, and though the thought of Sesshoumaru's behavior brought a mischievous smile to her lips, it did nothing to clear her mind. That morning the entire manor had bid goodbye, amid a general bustle and confusion, to the other three Houses, and life in the stronghold began its rather anticlimactic return to normalcy. Kagome spent time in the infirmary, helping dry the last of the harvested herbs and chatting with Haruto, whom Gina had pronounced not well enough to travel for another day, perhaps two. He was disappointed that Azami had not come to see him, but seemed to understand when Kagome mentioned that a message had arrived from Okuri. Apparently Azami had spoken of her father to him. Kagome liked the Ryouyoukai lord, with his darkly handsome appearance and easy manner, and pitied Azami for being forced to deny her attraction and growing feelings. She had tried to visit, but was told Azami was unwell and not accepting callers.

 

The remainder of the day had been spent being stalked by her mate. She had assumed the fertile time in her cycle would draw his attention, but it seemed to her, every time she turned around he was there, a predatory gleam in his eyes, ready to carry her to the nearest empty room. She scolded him playfully, reminding that there were servants about, but she matched his lust and affection with abandon. He had filled her with so much seed, it wouldn't surprise her in the least to learn in a fortnight that she was pregnant, though she confessed to herself that she was still acclimating to her new place in life and hoped it wouldn't happen quite so quickly.

 

Kagome sighed and relaxed, breathing slowly and evenly for several minutes. A feeling of peaceful heaviness spread through her limbs, soon joined by a deep inner awareness, and she left the water to dress and go to her altar.

 

XXXXX

 

The next day General Inutaisho, after finishing troop inspections, entered the Hall of the Advisors to be briefed on the official news and latest reports from the spies abroad. He took his seat next to Lady Seiobo, and his eyes narrowed at his son's empty chair. Sesshoumaru did not accompany him for morning inspections, unusual in itself, but his absence from this meeting was conspicuous.

 

“Where is Sesshoumaru? Is something wrong?” he quietly asked his mate.

 

Seiobo had a knowing smile on her face and squeezed his hand. “Not unless you consider an amorous mate warming one's bed a cause for alarm,” she whispered.

 

He laughed heartily. “Those two…remember when we were like that?”

 

“We were, weren't we,” she said, reaching under the table to rub his thigh suggestively.

 

“Although we managed at least a show of discretion,” he snorted, covering her hand with his. “I heard the servants are placing bets on where they'll be caught next.”

 

Seiobo's grin turned into a frown. “Oh good heavens,” she said, shaking her head. “I never would have thought our detached, unflappable son capable of such wantonness. I suppose I should just be happy that the other three Houses are no longer here.” Her face softened. “If they keep this up, you'll be a grandsire at this time next year.”

 

General Inutaisho was taken aback. “In just a year? Are Ningen really that fertile?”

 

“Kagome told me Ningen women are capable of conception once every month.”

 

“No wonder there are so damn many of them.”

 

Sesshoumaru and Kagome joined them a moment later, and General Inutaisho signaled to Lord Sato.

 

The chief advisor stood and began. “I have a detailed report of the status of War's End, and the news is primarily positive. First, all prisoner exchanges are complete. The Four Houses have emptied the jails of Ningen, and likewise the remaining Youkai captives have been returned and resettled with their families. Next, the third major shipment of supplies to ease Ningen resource depletion has been accomplished, and their refugee situation is already markedly improved. Also, currently construction on several bridges spanning waterways that divide Ningen and Youkai territory has begun, as has the tentative reestablishment of ancient trade routes, and we can be reassured that by summer-next our societies will commence with the first large-scale exchange of goods in nearly two millennia, a sure sign of the success of the peace. The hanyou who were enslaved by Ningen mine owners have been granted temporary freedom and citizenship, and an emergency effort to repeal all existing Hanyou Laws has been undertaken by General Furuki.”

 

Though all the news was welcome, the last point made Kagome sigh with relief. Though the forced labor of others had always bothered her, she found the idea that some should be pressed into bondage purely by accident of birth disgusting.

 

“And the less positive?” asked General Inutaisho.

 

“The Unaffiliated Clans have been making trouble on our southern border.”

 

“This was of course anticipated,” continued Lord Miyake, another advisor. “The Unaffiliated Clans were not part of treaty negotiations; it is understandable there is some resentment on their part for not having their needs considered.”

 

“Pardon the interruption,” Kagome broke in. “Who or what are the Unaffiliated Clans?”

 

Seiobo took over. “As you know now, dear, the Taiyoukai of the Four Houses ally themselves with lesser like-Youkai. The South, ruled by dragons, are allied with other reptilian Youkai, the East with avian, the South with feline, and we are allied with canines. The Unaffiliated Clans, bear and boar Youkai for example, do not fit neatly into any of the Four Houses. In ancient history when the Four Houses were being created, there was a massive, somewhat shameful, land grab which displaced the Unaffiliated. There have been various attempts over the centuries to bring them into the established fold, but they are more nomadic and prefer to remain apart, entering into fluid, opportunistic agreements with us when it suits them.”

 

“They have been half-heartedly attacking scattered Ningen border villages,” Miyake said. “I spoke with the advisors of the other Houses about the nature of our response, and we feel they are doing this in order to be shown respect, not because of any real opposition to the peace treaty. Military action against them could be seen as a heavy-handed overreaction, but it may also be a chance to remove a thorn from the collective side.”

 

“No,” General Inutaisho said firmly. “No more bloodshed. I'll not have us fighting other Youkai.” He looked at his son. “Sesshoumaru, you will leave tomorrow with a small show of force. Make the Clan leaders an offer—right of return to a portion of their ancestral lands in exchange for spending the winter in Western territory. And let it be known further hostilities directed toward Ningen will not be tolerated. This spring they'll be given a place at the table when trade talks begin.”

 

Sesshoumaru nodded stoically, knowing where his duty lay. He glanced at Kagome, who looked up at him and managed a thin smile; she also was familiar with duty.

 

General Inutaisho asked, “Have we received any reports yet from spies afield?”

 

Lady Inoue spoke up. “There are several who have begun to cross into Higurashi family lands, however the area is heavily guarded and they have been so far prevented from getting close enough to discover anything. The amount of security indicates that Lady Kagome may indeed be correct in her theory, but the lack of specifics at this point is distressing. On the bright side, we still have every reason to believe Kurono and Akagawa are yet unable to carry out large-scale production of the reinforced bamboo tubes.”

 

“And Okuri? What has my cousin been up to?”

 

“We have his estate monitored. No birds have been seen leaving, but we know he has threatened Lady Azami against receiving Lord Haruto's attentions. He quite obviously has other means of communication,” Lady Inoue stated darkly.

 

“Double the number of spies around his property and wait,” General Inutaisho said. “For now all we can do is trust he won't stay quiet for much longer.” He looked at Lord Sato. “I hate to doubt a close family member, but how do you judge your son's loyalty versus his ambition.”

 

Sato stiffened; he had been wondering about that very subject himself. “When the Yamaguchi family swore fidelity yesterday, Akeno was standing with his foster father. He has expressed interest in courting Lady Azami, but in fairness to him, he is a likely suitor. He is a high-ranking Taiyoukai, and they spent part of their childhood together. The match is rather obvious. I've got my eye on him, though perhaps we should arrange for them to be mated quietly with a condition that their potential offspring would only be in line for succession after Sesshoumaru's heir.”

 

“No,” General Inutaisho growled. “Until my son has pups of his own, I would prefer her mated to less important family. Now then, if we are finished I'd like to go to the infirmary and talk to Lord Haruto. If he's well enough to travel he can leave with you in the morning and continue to the Southern lands when this business with the Clans is settled. Sesshoumaru, tell Kouga he'll lead the escort.”

 

They adjourned and filed out. Kagome hung back and wrapped her arms around Sesshoumaru. “I can't believe you have to leave me, though I guess in the back of my mind I've expected it. Can I come with you?” she asked, knowing the answer.

 

He kissed the top of her head. “We will travel quickly. I'll be gone less than a week, barring trouble.”

 

Trouble always seemed to lurk. “I'll miss you,” she whispered sadly.

 

“I will be back.” He tilted her head up and kissed her mouth. “I need to go inform my troops so they can prepare to go.” He saw melancholy in her wide, blue eyes. “This is important for the peace, Kagome. And we will have each other tonight.”

 

He exited with Commanders Nakamura and Endo, leaving her with an unfamiliar feeling of lonely unease.

 

XXXXX

 

General Kurono sat in a damp room, the constant dripping water from the many leaks in the old roof wearing his nerves thin. He regretted not having the buildings of the Higurashi stronghold repaired when he first took control of the property, but back then he was only interested in the income generated in exploiting the substantial natural resources of the area. He had no idea then that the location would take on such strategic importance in eight years.

 

“Damn this rain.” Kurono turned to see General Akagawa, wet and scowling, enter the room. He sat heavily and Kurono handed him a bottle of liquor and an empty glass. “Next time you can do the errand running. I'll stay cozy and dry here with the whores.”

 

“Dry?” Kurono questioned, derisively indicating the pots of water scattered around the room. “And was your meeting with the assassin as productive as we had hoped?”

 

“The pieces are all in place,” Akagawa said with satisfaction. “Tomorrow Lord Fukuguchi will tragically choke to death during dinner, leaving his grandson and heir, a minor, in need of guidance in the daily operation of the regional mines.” He nonchalantly examined his nails. “And so fortunate for the boy that I, his closest male relative, am willing to take the reins for the time being.”

 

“Hmm convenient...you are second cousins, twice removed, isn't that correct?” Kurono said sardonically. “Are you certain his uncle's death last month won't suddenly be considered suspicious? I can see the Council refusing to grant you guardianship until there's been an inquest.”

 

“Okashita will not allow them to stall. The assassin has assured me that neither death can possibly be traced back to us, and to add to the positive news, her payment demands are lower for this than the uncle's riding accident. Seems poison is easy for her to administer secretly.”

 

Kurono chuckled. “Our manufacture of kayaku is ahead of schedule, and the weapon proto-type has been perfected. In a month we'll have control of the mines and can begin weapon production on a large scale; the situation at the Miko Sisterhood is working in our favor. All this and Okashita maintains that the Council still has no clue of our activities.” The two men emptied the glasses in silent acknowledgment of their success.

 

“When should we take kayaku to the Council?” Akagawa voiced the ever-present question. “As we both know, the precise timing is crucial. Getting the mines within our grasp removes the last obstacle to completion of our plan.”

 

Kurono thought for a moment. “We must act before spring, when trade negotiations begin. The Council won't pass up an opportunity to make money, no matter how persuasive we are.”

 

“Not to mention Furuki and his damn honor,” Akagawa spat. “The longer this peace lasts, the more difficult it will be for us to sell a new war, even one with a guarantee of victory. The only way he will support us is if the Council has no choice.”

 

“Nothing short of Youkai breaking the treaty will convince the old man,” agreed Kurono. “And I don't mean a border skirmish; it has to be a major act of aggression. Then at that time we will present kayaku to the Council. They'll beg us to come back. We will be greeted as saviors when we annihilate the enemy army, and no one will say a word against us when we dissolve the Council of Great Families and set ourselves up as co-rulers.”

 

“Fine words, but you are glossing over a problem.” Akagawa paused and refilled his glass. “How do we provoke a Youkai attack? They have fulfilled their treaty obligations to the letter, giving food and opening up their territory for hunting. Since they are cooperating so well, I believe it is safe to assume they won't be any more eager to break treaty than Furuki.”

 

A slow, wicked smile spread on Kurono's face. “This may be the best point to bring up the lone Youkai we apprehended while you were gone. He told the most interesting tale.”

 

The Ningen general's shock gave way to intrigue when he saw his partner's face. “A Youkai…here? Do tell.”

 

“He allowed himself to be found, informed me of several Youkai spies in the area as a show of good faith, and delivered a message from his master. It seems the House of the West has a traitor in their midst.”

 

“Treachery in the West…” he trailed off, mind plotting already. “Isn't that where the Higurashi girl is? Will you balk at an opportunity to exploit her if one presents itself?”

 

Kurono's sharp laugh sliced through the fetid air. “One would think since her brother served under me I'd have a little more sympathy for her position. She may be the daughter of a hero and a high-born lady, but no…the moment she opened her legs for a filthy, demon bastard Kagome Higurashi ceased to be called a Ningen.”

 

“Rather twisted that not long after the Council used her to achieve peace, we could be soon planning to use her as an instrument of war, all while living on the land that you stole from her.”

 

“I'd prefer to think of it as poetic.” They stood. “Let's go visit our Youkai informer. He's locked comfortably in the cellars, and I know you'll find him fascinating.”