InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Peace Treaty ❯ Taken ( Chapter 40 )

Dawn the next day saw the stronghold gates swing open and a large group of officers and nobles, carrying spears and longbows for the traditional hunt, exit. In their midst, incongruously small and deceptively slight among the hulking Inuyoukai, was Kagome, a short bow and quiver slung across her back, trying to keep the giddiness and excitement that bubbled inside from spreading to her face. The only grumblings about the presence of a female, on such an essentially male activity, were good-natured ribbings. Kagome, they all knew, had more than earned her spot among them. A group of servants followed after; the Taiyoukai were happy to track and chase game, but on this occasion, the less heroic consequences—skinning and cleaning the kill—were left to the underlings.

 

The light snow that had begun after the feast turned heavy during the night, and the hard ground was now covered by a thick white blanket that came halfway to Kagome's knees. She had a difficult time trudging through the new snow and adjusting her strides long to keep up, but her pride at being allowed admission and her stubbornness refused to let any of them see her as inferior. Despite being accepted by the majority, she felt the need to show that she was worthy of their continued approbation, worthy of being the Ningen mate of a powerful Youkai.

 

Sesshoumaru knew Kagome was struggling and considered slowing, but thought better of it. The miko, he had learned, could not abide pity. She looked up at him and grinned, wide and unashamed, and he was reminded of his first hunt, decades and decades ago.

 

His sister and Gina had taunted him mercilessly. Silly puppy, you still have milk-breath. What makes you think you can keep up with adult Youkai? He left that morning, determined to prove himself, his mother's complaints to his father that he was too young ringing in his ears. The General kept him close, hanging back, then took him to a clearing where the sun's direct light exposed a well-used patch of grass where they crouched and waited behind evergreen bushes. Sesshoumaru remembered his youthful happiness to be alone with the father he adored and how anxious he was to see which animal would be the first to visit the easily accessible food source. His reaction when the rabbit came into view was innate, and he thrilled at tapping into that part of him that was pure predator. The hare, large and winter-lean, gave him a decent chase, but there was no great contest. He struck with deadly accuracy and held up the bloodied body proudly, a first success at demonstrating his superiority over prey. His father praised his speed and gently pointed out the shredded flesh, the need to have a clean kill. Then he shared ancient wisdom, passed through generations of Inuyoukai. Son, we Youkai like to think we are at the top, but in truth there is no pinnacle. The life force is a circle, and we are mere specks on it. One day we will die and be buried, destined to become part of the Earth that feeds this rabbit's descendents. He gestured to their surroundings, then tousled his son's thick white hair. And one day this, the Western lands, will all be yours. Your slim shoulders will grow broad, but you will carry a great responsibility—the safety and welfare of not only of your future mate and the manor, but all of the West. Sesshoumaru, there is a deep importance in never taking for granted the smallest part of this circle—it teaches us respect and also to never underestimate an enemy, no matter how seemingly insignificant. When it came time to skin and gut the rabbit, despite his ability to use his claws, his father insisted he learn how to do it with a blade. All knowledge is worth having. Those lessons, though it took years before he fully appreciated his father's words, were never forgotten.

 

Sesshoumaru watched his father and realized how little he had changed. His hair had grown longer and his face had aged, but the leader of the West was still as straight and strong as he was at the time of that hunt all those years ago and, though he may not have Seiobo's cunning, was still the wisest Youkai Sesshoumaru knew.

 

As the party left the shadows of the stronghold walls and walked deeper into the forest, they spread out, dispersing into smaller, quieter groups.

 

“I trust you dressed warmly enough,” Sesshoumaru said to Kagome. “It is likely we will be out until nightfall. This snow buries the scent of the game, and we cannot track as well.”

 

“I'll be fine. And I follow prints,” Kagome replied with a sly smile. “This snow is a godsend.” The General, Lord Okuri, Akeno, and half a dozen others, walking just ahead of them, had begun to veer east. “I need to stay close to your father,” Kagome whispered loudly. “We made a bet on who could take down the most valuable prize. I want to keep an eye on him.”

 

Sesshoumaru shook his head in amusement, wondering if his mother knew, and, if she did, what his father's punishment was. They caught up quickly.

 

XXXXX

 

Kagome saw the deer first. Standing at the side of a spring-fed stream, it looked around cautiously before lowering its head to the water. Silently she reached back for her bow and an arrow, eyes unwavering. The Youkai were far behind her, sizing up a bear the General had just killed, but the famed venison she was watching drink would more than make up for her temporary loss of standing in their contest. Arrow notched, she wished the distance wasn't quite so great, but knew she had to take what fate had given. She let the arrow fly. It hit the flank, but at an odd angle that did nothing more than cause the deer to flee.

 

“Shit,” she muttered and grabbed another arrow. She excelled at hitting a moving target and wasn't worried, but suddenly a flash of white invaded her line of sight. Before she could even register what was happening, Sesshoumaru was on top of the deer and wrenched its neck, killing it instantly. She ran up to him, furious. “That was mine!”

 

“If it was yours, you would have killed it.” Sesshoumaru tried to hide the smirk that threatened his impassive face. Kagome would probably put an arrow in him if he mentioned how beautiful she looked when livid.

 

“I was about to finish it off,” she snarled, looking at the lifeless animal, her missed opportunity and battered pride rolled into a single, dead manifestation.

 

“And now how was I to know that? You couldn't kill it when it was perfectly still…why should I have given you a chance to miss your target altogether?”

 

“I wasn't planning on missing. And you told me you wouldn't take sides in this. Liar.” She stomped around the carcass to stand in front of him, cheeks flushed and blue eyes blazing. “You were working with your father this whole time.”

 

Sesshoumaru brushed off an urge to whisk her away to a cave or some secluded spot; the other Youkai were approaching. “I merely wished to spare the poor animal unnecessary suffering. Your poor aim did it no favors.”

 

“I'll show you poor aim,” she threatened.

 

He laughed. “I look forward to you attempt.”

 

“Alright you two,” the General announced, walking toward them. “Save your lovers' banter for when you are in the privacy of the manor.” He admired the large deer spread out, neck at an odd position, arrow just barely hanging on and couldn't resist teasing. “So Kagome, you sought to tickle the unfortunate beast before my son killed it?”

 

Her expression darkened, but a smile played at the corners of her mouth and eyes. “I can think of two more unfortunate beasts I'd like—”

 

“Lord General!”

 

They turned to see Kouga and Commander Nakamura running toward them.

 

“There's trouble,” Kouga said. “Boar Youkai ambushed one of the hunting groups.”

 

“Boar Youkai?” General Inutaisho looked at Sesshoumaru. “I thought you arranged for them to winter in the far southern corner of the Western lands.”

 

“That was the arrangement, but I also knew they were hiding something. Was anyone hurt?”

 

“Mostly minor injuries,” Nakamura said. “The old patriarch is with them. He wants to see you and Lord Sesshoumaru.”

 

“What?” the General asked with disbelief. “Old Botan traveled this far north? Take us there.”

 

Their party followed quickly and soon came upon a large gathering of Inuyoukai and boar Youkai standing at odds, weapons held ready and tension thick. At the center was the oldest-looking Youkai Kagome had ever seen. He was huge, slumped on a litter that was born by four Youkai. His coarse hair was thin and steely grey, and he had long, thick tusks, yellowed and cracked with age, jutting from a heavily lined, almost leathery, face.

 

The Inuyoukai were noticeably relieved when General Inutaisho and Sesshoumaru arrived on the scene, but they purposely avoided looking at Kagome.

 

“Put your weapons down,” the General ordered. “This isn't the way allies treat with each other.” He inclined his head toward the seated boar Youkai. “Botan, old friend, why are you here? Attacking a hunting party unprovoked? What's this about?”

 

The old Youkai shifted his weight uncomfortably and stared at Kagome. “It's about that Ningen bitch over there.”

 

General Inutaisho and Sesshoumaru both moved closer to Kagome, growling protectively. “If you are referring his son's mate, Lady Kagome will be addressed with deference due her.”

 

Botan snorted derisively. “Has it really come to this, Isamu? We fought together two hundred years ago. I saved your life once. And now you are shielding a murderous Ningen?”

 

The leader of the West narrowed his eyes. Apart from certain tree Youkai, old Botan was the longest-lived of their race still in existence. He was far more clever than typical boar Youkai and many regarded him as an unpredictable threat, though, due to his advanced age and ungainly size, a somewhat impotent one. He had played an important role in the War years before, but nonetheless was not trusted by any of the Four Houses. “Explain.”

 

“Two months ago, she strayed onto our ancestral lands and attacked a group of boar Youkai. The one remaining survivor was left lame. My youngest son was among the dead. I want retribution.”

 

“Lady Kagome is under our protection,” General Inutaisho said. “I'm willing to negotiate compensation, but she is not part of the discussion.”

 

Kagome shook her head, memories of when she first entered Youkai territory flooding her mind. “It wasn't like that! They attacked me. I had to defend myself.”

 

“Kagome,” Sesshoumaru said harshly, “stay out of this.” He too was remembering.

 

“Our grievance is as much with you, Lord Sesshoumaru. My son was not killed by sword or spear. Few Youkai I know can cut a body in two the way you are able.”

 

“My future mate was about to be killed when I found her that night. I did not exactly have an opportunity to explain her presence and apologize for my lapse in supervising her.”

 

Kagome felt tremendous guilt for the trouble she had so unwittingly caused. She wanted to ask for forgiveness, but knew she had best stay silent.

 

“Why were you not at the meetings I had with the Unaffiliated Clans?” Sesshoumaru asked angrily, frustration and irritation at the situation obvious. “Why was this not brought up a fortnight ago?”

 

Botan chuckled, unintimidated. “How like the Taiyoukai to dictate to the Clans. Must I ask you permission to piss next?” He examined his claws, a demonstration of insolence. “I decided it was in our interest to wait until I saw an advantage.”

 

Sesshoumaru felt his ire beginning to boil and turned to his father. “Go back to the stronghold—it is not safe here. Take her with you. I accept responsibility for the incident that led up to this,” he said ruefully. “I'll deal with it.”

 

Father and son locked eyes, grimly communicating.

 

“I'll keep her with me.” The General looked around, assessing the situation. “We'll have to go around the ravine and take the long way to the main road. It will take longer, but the travel will be easier for those with injuries.”

 

Lord Okuri stepped up next to his cousin. “Boar Youkai have spent time roaming my land and trading with the inhabitants of my manor in recent years. I could be a positive influence with them; they may trust me.”

 

Sesshoumaru had heard that Okuri maintained better relations with the Unaffiliated Clans than the other Taiyoukai. He nodded. Anything to diffuse the potential danger was welcome. He looked at Kagome and briefly touched her cold cheek. “Stay with my father. He'll keep you safe. I'll be back soon.”

 

Kagome bowed her head, feeling helpless and numb. She left with two dozen Youkai, a small force to deal with the disgruntled boar Youkai remaining behind.

 

XXXXX

 

Kagome groaned softly as the road curved and the stronghold walls came into view; it was still much farther away than she had judged, and the climb ahead was steep.

 

“Kagome?” She and General Inutaisho had been walking side by side, and he suspected she was becoming exhausted. She had admirably kept up, but a sharp wind had begun, drifting the snow, and her shorter legs made walking much more difficult for her than everyone else. “Do you want me to carry you? I'll take off my armor and you can ride on my back.” He leaned down and whispered. “I won't tell Sesshoumaru.”

 

Kagome tried to look strong and tell him it was unnecessary, but only managed a weak nod.

 

“We'll catch up,” he said to the others, undoing straps.

 

“I'm sorry to be a burden,” she apologized.

 

“You're not a burden, Kagome. And don't worry about what happened back there.”

 

“But it's my fault. I did kill the ones they said I did. And I did wander away from Sesshoumaru.”

 

“If boar Youkai weren't so stupid, the ones you encountered would have thought enough to ask a few questions about your identity before attacking you. The Clans are opportunistic, and the boar clans, in addition to their reputation for stupidity, are calculating as well.”

 

Kagome smiled gratefully. “Thank you.”

 

He bent down. “You'll have to hang on tightly. I need to carry my armor.”

 

She sighed at the idea of resting and reminded herself to fight the desire to fall asleep, but before she could climb on his back, a blinding flash of light surrounded them. There was a perfect moment of silence, then all she knew was pain and the sensation of falling.

 

The heavy snow softened the impact of the ground when she hit, but she still had the breath knocked out of her. Gasping to fill her lungs with air as she tried to sit up, Kagome knew of only one source of an invisible blow like that—they were being attacked by a miko. She scrambled to where General Inutaisho lay and winced at the sight. His left arm was burned black, and an arrow had pierced his chest. Kagome hastily erected a barrier around them and knelt next to him. The arrow seemed to be deeply embedded, and she knew pulling it out risked further damaging the skin and muscle underneath. A large hand covered hers and guided it to grasp the arrow shaft.

 

“Poison,” General Inutaisho panted, the pain showing harshly on his face. “I can smell it.”

 

Kagome nodded and gripped tightly. “Ready?”

 

“Pull.”

 

Mercifully the broadhead came out on the first try, though not without tearing flesh anew, and he sank back with a groan, breathing heavily. Kagome immediately laid pink-glowing hands on the ugly wound to stop the flow of blood. Once satisfied the bleeding was not life-threatening, she sat back and hazarded a glance around them. The other Youkai, who had apparently seen the flash of light, were rushing toward them, and Kagome realized they were about to be ambushed.

 

“It's a trap,” she screamed. “Get your weapons up!”

 

Suddenly arrows came flying out of the forest on both sides of the road, followed by seven miko and a score of soldiers, all armed with swords. Several of the Youkai were struck and fell to the ground, the shock of being hit barely registering on their faces. Kagome grabbed General Inutaisho's sword and dispelled the barrier. She stood near him, prepared for the first soldier who ran at her. He attacked and quickly retreated, an attempt to draw her into the fray, but she refused to leave the General's side. She watched in horror as the Youkai in front of her fought bravely, but were cut down in a matter of moments; armed for a hunt and not for battle, they were no match for the sword-wielding Ningen soldiers and the powerful energy of the miko. Her horror turned to fury as she recognized faces. All the women fighting had been at the Sisterhood with her. They were, of course, led by her hated rival.

 

“Drop your sword, Kagome.” Leiko held a knife to the neck of the only Youkai still standing.

 

Kagome's heart fell. It was Eiji, one of her young archery pupils. “Let him go.”

 

“I will. Drop your sword.”

 

Kagome hesitated, then lay the weapon down. She could still use her powers to protect the General. Two soldiers cautiously walked toward her, but stopped as her hands glowed pink with energy.

 

“Now, now Kagome…do you really want this blood on your hands,” Leiko taunted, sinking the tip of the blade into her captive's neck so a thin red stream began to trickle out. “We aren't going to kill you. We're here to liberate you.” She laughed. “Now play nice, or this one will join the dead…and it will be all your fault.”

 

Kagome waited as the soldiers approached, not taking her eyes from Eiji's pleading face.

 

“Take off her jacket and bind her arms tightly behind,” Leiko called out. “Make certain her palms are facing. She could kill you both with one finger.”

 

Kagome stood still as her heavy jacket was stripped off and her arms were twisted cruelly behind her back, palms pressed awkwardly together. She felt her hands, then arms being wrapped and tied with rope. “Let him go.”

 

Leiko removed the knife from Eiji's throat and gave him a gentle pat on the cheek. “Be a good boy and run along. I'm sure you'd like to sound the alarm.”

 

“Eiji,” Kagome instructed firmly, “don't go to the stronghold. Find Sesshoumaru. He's closer.”

 

He began to run.

 

Leiko turned to a miko next to her. “Shizue, shoot him before he gets too far away.”

 

“No!” Kagome screamed and struggled, but the soldiers held her fast.

 

Leiko calmly walked up to Kagome, who looked like she was ready to kill, and stopped short. “Tie her legs too. She can still kick.” Once Kagome was completely immobilized, Leiko stepped forward and grabbed her bound hair, wrenching her neck. She took her knife and cut just below the ribbon. “So nice to know that your overdeveloped sense of honor and guilt can still be exploited. It's your only weakness, Kagome.” Picking up Kagome's jacket from the ground, she folded it with the hair tucked inside. She handed it to one of the soldiers. “We'll go east; you go west. This should be enough to throw off their sense of smell.”

 

“Leiko, this is heresy,” Kagome said, trying to keep her voice reasonable. “You are violating your vows.”

 

“You must be joking.” She looked Kagome up and down, eyes narrowed. “I can feel Youki coming from you. You've actually turned into a filthy demon, one of them, and you have the nerve to call me a heretic?” She laughed, then noticed something on the ground. It was General Inutaisho's sword. She picked it up, examining the blade. “Exquisite. Demons do have talented swordsmiths. I think I will keep this as a memento. I need something to hold as I remember the look on your face.” She nodded to another soldier, who came up from behind and pulled a hood over Kagome's head, then threw her over his shoulder. “Let's go. And make sure the only survivor is the one with the red tie.”

 

XXXXX

 

Sesshoumaru and the others made it back to the stronghold as the sun was setting. The boar Youkai haggled for an hour, their demands alternating between unreasonable and absurd. Finally an understanding was reached, but there was no time to resume the hunt. The other groups of hunters had started to trickle in, and the game they had taken was being brought to the smokehouse.

 

Sesshoumaru saw Lord Sato talking with Commander Endo and crossed the courtyard. “Where is my father?”

 

The two looked at each other. “I thought he was with your party,” Sato said. “With my son and Lord Okuri.”

 

“He was. We had a run-in with some boar Youkai and had to separate.” He paused, concerned. “They're not back yet?”

 

“No.”

 

“I know they had to take a long route to get to the road, but they should have been back by now.” Sesshoumaru's instincts flared and he felt dread and fear clenching in the pit of his stomach. “Something happened. We'll need torches and have someone follow with a wagon. It's getting dark and there may be injured.”

 

A few minutes later he left the stronghold, accompanied by his most able-bodied soldiers. They ran down the main road away from the stronghold, constantly scanning the surrounding forests for the missing party and signs of danger. The acrid smell of death that grew stronger as they continued forward was a warning, but in truth, nothing could have prepared them for the scene they found.

 

The ground in the vicinity was bare of snow and littered with the bodies of dead Youkai. The corpses, hacked apart and bloody, were covered with still-smoldering burns. Nearby trees were smashed and charred, ghostly smoke rising into the night air. They had all seen War, but this brutality seemed obscene; not even the crows wanted to come to feast.

 

“See if there are any survivors,” Sesshoumaru said flatly, refusing to allow the war of emotions inside to reach his voice. He initially felt relief that he didn't see Kagome among the dead, but it quickly turned to worry and confusion, with sickness and anger threading through his soul.

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru,” a soldier called out, “I found your father. He's alive, but barely.”

 

His father's arm was so badly burnt, it no longer bore any resemblance to its original form. Blood covered his chest and flowed from his head, running down the side of his face and matting in his hair. Sesshoumaru knew the only reason his father was still alive was because he was a Taiyoukai. A lesser Youkai would never have survived that kind of head injury and blood loss.

 

“Good gods!” The exclamation came from Commander Endo, who had just arrived on the scene with another few soldiers. “An ambush?”

 

“Must have been,” Kouga said. “They weren't very heavily armed, but none of them even have knives unsheathed.”

 

Endo went to where Sesshoumaru was kneeling and saw that General Inutaisho's chest still rose and fell with breath. “The wagon will be here in a minute. Are there any other survivors?”

 

“Here's one,” a soldier yelled. “Akeno Sato…and not very well off. He's been run through and shot with an arrow.”

 

Sesshoumaru stood. “Get those two and any others to the manor immediately. I need to find my mate.”

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru,” Endo said, his reluctance to voice his observation apparent. “This is miko damage. I'm not accusing your mate,” he said quickly when Sesshoumaru's eyes grew red, “but be careful. We don't know what happened yet.”

 

He nodded, stone-faced, and turned to walk away from the carnage and find Kagome.

 

XXXXX

 

Hours later Sesshoumaru returned to the stronghold, alone. Kouga was waiting for him near the gates.

 

“Did she come back here?” Sesshoumaru asked. While out searching, he had managed to keep desperation at bay by tending a small spark of hope that she had escaped the slaughter and made it back to the manor unharmed.

 

Kouga shook his head.

 

“My father?”

 

“Gina is with him. She won't say yet if he'll survive.”

 

He closed his eyes and tried to keep calm. “Lord Akeno?”

 

“Alive still. Did you find anything on the road?” Kouga almost hated to the hear answer—it couldn't be good.

 

“Her scent went in two directions. I followed both, but the snow and wind made it impossible, like she was everywhere and nowhere at the same time.” He bowed his head. He had failed.

 

Kouga paused. “Let's go see if Gina has any new information.” They hurried to the infirmary, outside which a large group of nobles and officers, all in varying states of shock and mourning, were gathered.

 

Seiobo saw her son approach and flew into his arms, sobbing wretchedly. “Sesshoumaru,” she whispered, “I can't lose him. I can't.”

 

His mother's grief transported him back to days after his sister was killed, the way the bottomless sorrow made them all seem like different people. “I know,” he whispered back.

 

Lord Sato exited a private room near the infirmary doors. His pale face was frozen in stunned disbelief. “Akeno regained consciousness briefly. He said Lady Kagome did it. She attacked the General. Then a group of miko came from the woods, and together they killed everyone.”

 

The silence that followed lasted for what seemed like an eternity.