InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Peace Treaty ❯ Unanswered Questions ( Chapter 44 )

Kagome woke the next morning just as the sun was beginning to lighten her dank cage. Her dreams, consumed with memories of her brother and a dead Taiyoukai sister she had never met, made restful sleep impossible. The Higurashi family and the House of the West were even more inextricably linked by the cruel chains of history than she had realized. Kagome picked up the pages her brother had written and tucked them inside her shirt. His guilt and remorse hung over the room like cold fog. No doubt they thought the place was possessed. One thing chipped away at the recesses of her memories. Daichi's words were so protective, so concerned for her. Why had he betrayed her to Takeo? She didn't understand.

 

Her mind reeled as she remembered that night. Lurking in the shadows, she had watched her brother and his friends gambling, rowdy and drunk. Daichi said he was done, that he had nothing left to gamble. Takeo proposed he wager her virginity. Kagome knew immediately that she was not safe and hurried away before she was discovered. She ran straight to her secret place and hid. She waited, silent and patient, knowing the longer she stayed in the dark, the greater the chance that they would all pass out drunk and she could sneak out without trouble. Then footsteps. Her door slid open and Daichi was there. Kagome, hurry. Come out. She smiled and put her hand in his large one. And the next thing she knew she was sprawled on the floor, Takeo's face looming above hers. He was laughing and shouting at the others to get in line. She looked around for her brother, but he was nowhere. She never saw him again.

 

A guard's entrance spared her from further recollection. He handed her a bowl of rice and told her that he would be back in a few minutes. Generals Kurono and Akagawa wanted to see her.

 

XXXXX

 

“Ah, Lady Kagome,” General Akagawa said, as she was led into the courtyard. “Good morning. I trust you slept better here than on the hard ground. No ghosts haunted you, did they?”

 

Kagome was not in the mood for their game of pretend. She was their captive, not an invited guest, evidenced by the heavy rope that bound her hands and forearms. “Why did you steal me away and bring me here?”

 

Akagawa chuckled. “Why do you think?”

 

That question had bothered Kagome since the first day of her captivity. She knew the generals were making a weapon, one that would perhaps tip the scales and lead to the destruction of Youkai. But she did not understand how her abduction fit into that plan. There was something else going on, and Kagome thought it best for now to appear cooperative and not very well-informed. “I assume it is to fulfill some high-minded, misguided notion of rescuing me.”

 

Kurono smirked. “I suppose one could say you are partially correct. I know you feel you have no reason to thank us, so I won't call out your ingratitude at your liberation.”

 

“I was told that you opposed the treaty at its inception, but can't you look past your hatred of Youkai and see that it is benefitting Ningen society? I have been in contact with Lady Tokuhoshi and my friends from the Sisterhood. They all say that conditions at refugee camps are already improving, that winter starvation is no longer feared. Removing me from Youkai territory is undermining the peace.”

 

The Generals laughed. “But, you see,” Akagawa said, “that is the whole point. Perhaps now is a good time for a little demonstration.” They had debated whether they should show Kagome kayaku, in the end deciding it may well convince her of the futility of remaining loyal to the peace treaty and encourage her to ally herself with them. If she still refused them, their secrets would go with her to the grave.

 

They led Kagome around the side of the manor to what was once the Higurashi family gardens and orchards. Now though, the land was cleared and empty of trees. In place were several new buildings of varying sizes. Some were obviously being used as smithies, some appeared to be warehouses, and set farther off was the old, blackened smelting furnace, smoke pouring out. Everywhere people milled about, hauling loads and working. She noticed that many were wearing metal cuffs around their wrists and after a closer look at their faces, she realized they were hanyou. Slaves.

 

They gestured to a group of soldiers who were near a black metal cylinder mounted on a large piece of wood. General Kurono indicated a stone wall some distance away. “Watch,” he said and gave a signal. One of the soldiers picked a piece of smoldering wood from a smithy fire and touched it to a length of rope that jutted out of one end of the cylinder. As soon as it began to burn, they stepped back several paces.

 

Kagome watched the rope shrink until it disappeared. There was a moment where nothing happened, then a sound like thunder, loud and deep, shook her bones. It was over quickly, but for a long minute afterward it echoed in her ears and she could hear nothing else. The area was enveloped in a bluish smoke that burned her nose and made her hold her breath against the fumes. When the air cleared, Kurono pointed straight ahead. The wall was gone. Only dust and rubble remained.

 

Kagome was shocked. She had only seen power like that in the hands of trained miko. The damage it could do, with so little effort was frightening. The Taiyoukai had good reason to fear it.

 

“Imagine what it could do to wood. To stronghold walls, to homes,” Kurono said. “Imagine what it will do to flesh and bone. Should we give Lady Kagome a taste of its other uses?” he asked, looking at Akagawa. “No pointing in imagining when she can see for herself. Perhaps a hanyou slave.”

 

Commander Manzo, standing nearby, stepped up. “Don't. You have already killed a quarter of the labor force on testing the prototype. If we wish to meet production targets, find something else until we can acquire more slaves.”

 

There was a basket of rotting fruit by a building. “We've been using these,” a soldier said. He stuck a large melon on the end of a spear and shoved it into the ground. Then they gave her a second demonstration, this time using a much smaller weapon, a bamboo tube that was easily held and the rope lit by one person. The noise produced was more like a crack of lightning. A sharp slap. What was left of the melon lay scattered on the ground, some pieces large as her hand, most unrecognizable pulp. In the time it took to fix another melon to the spear and plant it in the ground, the soldier holding the weapon was ready to use it again. The second melon was obliterated just as the first.

 

A sick, deathly feeling in the pit of Kagome's stomach gnawed and festered. A single Ningen armed with this weapon could kill and kill again at close distance without even bloodying his hands. No longer would skill with a sword matter. No longer would civilians be able to avoid the worst violence. The nature of War, the balance of power would be destroyed forever.

 

As they walked back toward the manor, Kagome looked inside some of the larger buildings. They were filled with crates and piled with bamboo. Akagawa followed her gaze. “Yes,” he said, his voice rich with satisfaction. “As you can see we are on the cusp of large-scale production. By spring we will be able to put one of these in the hands of every Ningen soldier.”

 

The sense of dread threatened to choke her. She did not think any of the Taiyoukai were aware that kayaku was so far into production or exactly how deadly powerful it was. None of the Youkai spies could hope to have as much information as she had just been given. Escape became even more an imperative. She hoped her determination did not register on her face.

 

Kurono said, “You need not looked so surprised. We know you and the Youkai learned about our little secret some time ago.”

 

“Why did you show me?”

 

“Why? To show you what is at stake. We have been looking forward to using this ever since we started fantasizing about how much destruction we could affect. The War can finally be won. By Ningen. We can rid ourselves of Youkai filth forever. The success of the peace treaty, of course, was a setback. You see, we cannot resume fighting without the backing of the Council. Despite our superior weaponry, we need to ensure the force of the entire Ningen army on our side. And the only way the Council will back us would be for the Youkai to break the treaty. So that brings me to your role, Lady Kagome, and the more accurate reason you were taken. Your deceit is the spark to light the fire.”

 

“My deceit?” Kagome stared, incredulous. “You forced me from my home and killed those dear to me.”

 

Akagawa laughed. “Yes, your deceit. You see, the Youkai believe you are a traitor. In fact, we have learned yesterday that the Council has received a message from your…husband, demanding the Council's assistance in making you answer for the crime of the attempted assassination of General Inutaisho.”

 

Kagome did not bother to mask her relief. The General was not dead. “Thank the gods,” she said softly. “He still lives.”

 

“Don't look so happy,” Kurono said. “He's obviously not well enough to tell them what really happened. The Council is starting to comb the countryside, looking for you. We can offer you protection.”

 

“I don't want your protection. I want to go back and prove my innocence.”

 

“I doubt you'll find them all that forgiving. The House of the West has a snake in the nest. And he has been hard at work poisoning them against you.”

 

Kagome shook her head. “I don't believe you. I know you must mean Lord Okuri, and they don't trust him.”

 

“We know. Lord Okuri has been very forthcoming about his weaknesses,” Kurono said silkily. “But he has an accomplice who has had no such shadow cast upon him. Perhaps this will convince you.” He pulled a small scroll from under his armor. “This is the communication sent by a member of the Council of Great Families. He has been graciously keeping us informed on the Council's activites. It contains the message they received from the House of the West. I'll spare you the diplomatic niceties and skip to the relevant part. `If you are unwilling or unable to secure her, you will give Youkai troops leave to search and capture Kagome Higurashi with the goal of transport across border lands into Youkai territory for her execution.' That was written by Lord Sesshoumaru. It doesn't sound to me as though they have many doubts about your guilt.” He was tickled to see Kagome's face drain of color. Her realization of the hopelessness of her position was delicious.

 

“So you see, Lady Kagome,” Akagawa said, “your only reasonable option is to join us. The Youkai, whom you thought as your new family, have turned against you. The Council is searching for you in order to prevent a resumption of War.”

 

“With us you will be great,” Kurono said. “A miko of your caliber should not be wasting away behind Youkai castle walls. You should be fulfilling your role as protector of Ningen. Here you will not only be protected, you will be welcomed as a hero. We will put the other miko at your command.”

 

“No,” Kagome said, voice shaky. “I want to go back and clear my name.”

 

Kurono sneered. “Foolish girl. You don't seem to understand. We cannot let you leave. You absence will ensure the breaking of the peace treaty. And though we know the Youkai are aware of kayaku, we can't have you giving them an eye witness account.”

 

“I'll never—”

 

“Don't answer yet,” Akagawa interrupted. “We'll give you the night to think about your position. Tomorrow we will ask you again. You have inherited your father's honor, but remember how he ended up. Dead. We want you to stay alive. Alive and working with us. We want you to tell us everything the Youkai know about kayaku.”

 

“I think you will be disappointed.” Kagome was trying frantically to push down the despair she felt at Sesshoumaru thinking her capable of killing his father. Anger was an acceptable substitute. “I don't fucking know anything,” she spat. Kurono slapped her and she tasted blood.

 

“Don't lie. We know you've sat in on meetings. Lord Okuri has communicated with us all about you, but you also have valuable insight into how much the Youkai know. You will tell us. Take her back to her room,” he said to one of the soldiers. “And I only feel it fair to warn you we will have a visitor tomorrow to aid us in questioning you. Takeo Hino. I believe you know him.” Kagome put on a brave, blank face, but he was sure he saw her flinch.

 

XXXXX

 

Back and forth, Kagome paced in her prison. Though it did little to quell the misery and confusion from her meeting with the generals, walking gave her focus. She had an escape to plan.

 

She knew Sesshoumaru, so protective of her, would never believe that she betrayed them unless the evidence was damning. Her soul ached to think that he must despise her. Not knowing what transpired after the ambush was a torment. What had been said about her? How had the scene been twisted to make them think she was responsible? She remembered Leiko saying to kill everyone except the one with the red tie…was he the traitor? She replayed the events time and again, but it happened so fast and her attention was on guarding General Inutaisho. She could not even begin to guess who would do such a thing, who would ally himself with Lord Okuri. The General was well loved by his troops. Everyone else in the group was a member of a loyal family or a trusted retainer. The traitor must have arranged to be spared and then given false testimony. Is that why, she wondered, they blame me? She shook her head. Surely Sesshoumaru would have seen through any subterfuge. There had to be something more. The fact that Lord Okuri had sunk so low as to partner with two murderous Ningen, without a single member of the House of the West having a clue, meant that anything was possible.

 

At least the General was alive. She took a great deal of comfort in the fact that the assassination was not successful. But how badly was he injured? And why was he unable to give an account of what had happened? Memory loss frequently accompanies trauma. She felt sickened that perhaps he was awake and confused and he too believed she had conspired to have him killed. The unanswerable questions spun and echoed in her mind, but of course she had no way to reconcile them. “Enough,” she said aloud. The sound startled out of her reverie. There was no point in dwelling on the things she was, for the moment, powerless over. She had to escape. It was time to figure out how.

 

The soldiers left her unbound while locked in her brother's room, but as soon as they came for her that morning, one held a sword point to her neck while another tightened rope around her arms and hands. When the time came, she had to be able to free her hands. Either by convincing or tricking someone to do it, or by cutting the rope herself. They hadn't found the dagger she had hidden in her belted pack, though with her hands immobilized, using it to cut the rope would be impossible. There were plenty of broken bits of glass lying scattered around the room. If she could somehow hide a piece in her hand when they tied her up, she may be able to saw through her bindings.

 

She began to think about how to get out of the stronghold. So much depended on when and where the opportunity came. Overpowering the soldiers and guards would present little problem if she had free hands. She could use her powers or fight hand-to-hand or, better still, somehow acquire a sword. However, if she encountered miko while trying to flee, it would be a different situation entirely. Leiko. She was the one Kagome most feared having to fight. She was the only one who would actually enjoy trying to kill her.

 

Her mind turned to Hiroko. Kagome still considered her the best chance at escape. She knew the woman was sympathetic to her plight, but wondered if it was too much to hope that she would listen to reason. Kagome did not want to have to fight her or trick her in some other way if she did not have to. She certainly had no wish to hurt her. But she also knew she would do whatever she had to do in order to get out and to safety.

 

Kagome's thoughts were interrupted by the door opening. In a stroke of luck, it was Hiroko by herself, carrying a tray of food.

 

“Here is your dinner. Not as much nor as fine as yesterday.” She set the tray on a low table and watched quietly while Kagome ate. “I heard them talking,” she said. “They plan to interrogate you tomorrow.”

 

“I know,” Kagome said between greedy bites. She hadn't realized how much she had missed hot food. “They want me to tell them how much the Youkai know about them and their weapon.”

 

“They are going to torture you if you don't tell them willingly.”

 

Kagome's stomach flipped on the word. Torture. She swallowed the bile that formed in the back of her throat. “I can't do that,” she said softly.

 

Kagome's reputation for bravery and strength was legend at the Sisterhood. Hiroko could not contain her curiosity. “What exactly is your history with Takeo Hino? I heard Leiko and the generals talking about him. It seems he has some sort of power over you.”

 

“Hadn't you heard the gossip?” Kagome asked, her voice sharp with cynicism. Several years earlier she had confided to Taka a bit of what had happened to her and how she had come to be at the SIsterhood. Leiko overheard enough and told everyone she could that Kagome was not a virgin. “He served with my brother Daichi under General Kurono. When I was a child he…raped me. Apparently they think his presence will intimidate me into a spineless pile of cowering cooperation. They couldn't be more wrong. He's nothing more than a sick bastard, and I'm not afraid of him.” Kagome wished she felt the words as strongly as she said them.

 

Hiroko was filled with disgust over the situation. “My brother served under your father for a time. He said he was the most honorable man he had ever met. I cannot say it doesn't bother me to serve under these two. I doubt they know the definition of the word.”

 

“Hiroko, why did you leave the Sisterhood and Lady Kaede?” Kagome sensed an ambivalence she hoped to exploit.

 

“From the time I entered the Sisterhood, miko had one main function, to protect Ningen society against Youkai threats. After the peace treaty, we were told that our mission had changed. They were no longer the enemy. Staying at the Sisterhood seemed perilously close to breaking my vows. Fighting Youkai is what I was trained to do. It was what I vowed to do.”

 

“But the treaty is working. We need not view them as a threat any longer. Miko can still protect Ningen and respect the peace.”

 

“Kagome, that's not true. Two weeks after the treaty was signed, the village I grew up in was raided.”

 

Kagome nodded slowly. “Border towns were vulnerable at first. There are groups of Youkai who had political motivations. They were not signatories to the treaty. But the Taiyoukai have dealt with them. They take this very seriously. As far as I know, the attacks have ceased. I have been writing letters with Taka and Kaede and Council member Tokuhoshi. The peace has been achieved, but it is still so fragile. It benefits everyone, especially Ningen, to continue this path. We have to support it. Yes, our job is to defend Ningen society from Youkai aggression, but they are not the attacking. They are feeding starving Ningen. Never did we vow to provoke unnecessarily.”

 

Hiroko was silent, pondering what Kagome had just told her. After listening to the other miko ranting for weeks about breaking their vows and their feelings of impotence and politics tying their hands, Kagome's calm and reasoned perspective was like a gentle shake. “Kagome,” she said after a minute, “you said that part of their Youki is in you. I can sense it in the room with us. Are you still even human?”

 

“Of course I am. I have not changed. I am still a Ningen and still a miko.” She was saddened to think of the falsehoods that the others believed about her, both the Youkai in the western lands and the miko she had served with. “I have lived among them. I trained with them and befriended them. I helped their sick and injured. And they welcomed me. Accepted me. The only difference between me now and who I was two months ago is that I have seen that peace and coexistence are possible.”

 

“What are they like, the Youkai? We all grew up to hate and fear them. Are they not the monsters we know?”

 

“What are they like?” Kagome repeated. “They are like us. I would be lying to say there aren't differences. Their culture has its own set of norms. Their family bonds are strong, perhaps stronger than ours. They place a great value on instinct.” She smiled to remember her confusion over Sesshoumaru's mark and the way it pulled her to him despite her lack of understanding. Then she remembered how she felt when she understood. “But we are not dissimilar. They work and dream. They raise and love their families. They want nothing more or less than to live without the threat of War.”

 

“Kagome, Kurono and Akagawa are prepared to kill you if you don't join them. Are you willing to risk your life for Youkai?”

 

“It is bad enough that the Youkai think I have betrayed them. I could never actually do it.”

 

Hiroko crossed the room and went to the door; she was obviously torn. The easy thing for Kagome to do would be to join Kurono and Akagawa. It would save her life and return her to the world she was accustomed to. The fact that she was determined to stay the course, even if it cost her life, made Hiroko wonder if Ningen-Youkai relations were not so black and white as she had been raised to believe. “I need to get back to my duties. One of the reasons I came here was because I thought we would be freer to honor our vows. But it seems that the attitude of several of the soldiers is that we, being female, are just servants who happen to know how to fight.”

 

“It's not too late, you know,” Kagome said. “You could always leave and go back to the Sisterhood.”

 

She laughed derisively. “I think if I went back, I could look forward to subjugation beads and a life under guard.”

 

Kagome made a leap of trust. “If you helped me to get out of here, I would make certain that did not happen.” There was now no question that she was contemplating escape.

 

The conversation suddenly seemed to take a dangerous turn. Leaving was one thing. Betraying the generals and Leiko was quite another. Hiroko shrugged. “I don't know.”

 

Kagome nodded. “I am here if you would like to talk more. And if any of the others feel like you do, please tell them what I told you.” She rose and handed the other woman the empty dishes. “Thank you for the food.”

 

Hiroko bowed and left. Kagome's arguments were persuasive, subversive. Her safest bet was to follow her orders and pretend that the confliction she felt was not there.