InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Peace Treaty ❯ Duty ( Chapter 46 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: piratequeen0405 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 12.12.2010 | Pages: 2 | Words: 4.7K | Visits: 930 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 12.12.2010 | Pages: 2 | Words: 4.7K | Visits: 930 | Status: Work In Progress
General Kurono stood in front of a window and watched the snow as it fell. The lack of emotion on his face belied the anger seething within. She had gotten away. Even after four days, four days of tearing apart the countryside, he still could not believe that she had escaped.
Leiko had warned them that Kagome Higurashi should be tied up and kept under guard at all times. He cursed himself for brushing her concerns aside and not listening to her. They had feared that Kagome would not join them if they heaped abuse upon her and, because they desired her power, instead of treating her like a dangerous prisoner, they foolishly let her have a small degree of comfort—freedom of movement and privacy in a deserted room. Where was the harm in that, they had reasoned. And, he admitted, in their arrogance they had not recognized the possibility that she was capable of escaping. Now they were faced with just how wrong they had been. Not only had she refused to ally with them, she was not in their clutches at all. How had she been able to so thoroughly vanish? The weather had turned brutally cold and the region was sparsely populated. Where had she found shelter? They had search parties everywhere, expecting to find her frozen and begging for help or dead by now, and yet she somehow continued to elude them. He thought perhaps the snow would provide for them a way to track her, but it only made the conditions worse for the soldiers on foot.
“A fucking three-inch piece of glass,” he said with disgust. Takeo Hino’s bloody, maimed face, as he stumbled into the main area of the manor that night, had been a shock to their sense of superiority. The severed ropes lying in the corridor were a testament to her resourcefulness. She was calculating and patient and determined. And not at all intimidated by adversity. At the same time that he hated her, he admired her…and wished even more to find her. Either to again offer her a place with them or to extract some measure of revenge. His fantasies switched between using her powers against his enemies and slowly squeezing her neck until she was limp and lifeless.
The sound of horses hooves on the courtyard stones drew him out of his brooding. General Akagawa had left the day before to investigate a rumor they had heard that a group of guards at a checkpoint had gotten into some trouble with a woman traveling alone. It was the most credible lead they had gotten. Kurono hurried out to hear the news and intercepted Akagawa as he strode out of the stables. “Well,” Kurono said, “do they still have custody of the woman? Was it she?”
Akagawa scowled. He had been riding for two days nearly nonstop. He wished he had an easy, affirmative answer to give, but there was no such luxury. “Let’s go inside. I need a drink.” As they walked toward the manor, he ordered a passing soldier to bring drink and a hot meal to his quarters. “I interviewed the five guards who were stationed at the Hakone checkpoint. A few days ago, they encountered an armed woman traveling without papers or border pass. After briefly questioning her, they realized she could be the woman the Council was looking for.” Once inside, Akagawa stripped off his armor and tossed it to the floor. “She resisted arrest and the guards engaged her in battle. They said she defended herself, but seemed more intent on getting away than killing anyone. They chased her to a steep bank and, they admitted, she could have fought back and probably won, but instead she jumped into the river. They said they doubted anyone could have survived the fall.”
“Did you investigate? Is there a body?”
“No. No body.” He shook his head and took a long drink. “I don’t know what to think. I had them show me the spot she jumped from. The fall was at least forty feet, and the river is deep and fast there. It is conceivable that she survived the jump if she had not been fatally dashed against the rocks. But I don’t know how she would have survived long. The water was like liquid ice.”
“Do you think she actually was Higurashi?”
“The description, both her physical attributes and the skill with which she fought, made it indeed sound like her. I searched the area, downstream and up, in the small chance that she made it out alive. There was no sign of her.” He poured another glass, leaving the food untouched for the moment. “On one hand, I somehow doubt that Kagome Higurashi, given what we have seen of her luck and abilities, died quite so easily. And on the other, I agree with the guards there…survival would have been highly unlikely, if not utterly impossible. The Council has been informed of the incident. I saw the guards’ report; it stated unequivocally that Kagome Higurashi is considered dead.”
Kurono sat silent as he processed this information. “The Council will undoubtedly welcome the news of her death and the opportunity to wash their hands of her. Is there a chance that the Youkai will accept this and be satisfied? If they do, what will it mean to our cause?”
Akagawa had been thinking about this his entire ride back to their headquarters. “They may accept that she is dead, but I wonder if they will be satisfied without a body. The Council has not proven to be particularly trustworthy. I say we renew the raids on the borderlands. Attack a convoy of aid. And be sure to use the miko prominently. Even if this is not official Council business, the Youkai will still see it as Ningen aggression.”
A devious grin spread across Kurono’s face. Finally he had something to counter his feeling of impotence. “Coupled with the lack of retribution for an assassination attempt, I don’t think they will be in a forgiving mood.”
Akagawa nodded. “Kagome was the lynch pin that held the treaty together. Dead or not, she is no longer in the picture. The treaty is more vulnerable now than it has ever been, even in its earliest days. I think it is only a matter of time before it crumbles under the weight of its good intentions.” He leaned back, finally getting comfortable. “We were meant to live apart. The Youkai, I believe, are beginning to realize that. They will not sit idly by as Ningen attacks chip away at what is left of the peace treaty. My prediction is that they raise an army and formally end it before the snow has melted.”
XXXXX
Lady Inoue hurried toward the Advisors Hall. She had been ensconced in her private study all day compiling and examining intelligence reports, when Commander Endo’s aide stormed in and announced there would be an emergency meeting of the Advisors in half an hour. She barely had enough time to organize her documents and check on her son’s hunger level before she had to leave. As she strode down the corridor, she met Lady Higa and they walked together. “Do you know what is going on?” she asked. “And what is so urgent that couldn’t wait until tomorrow’s scheduled meeting?”
“No idea. I was simply told a message came and it was important.”
They walked into the hall and took their places at the table. Commander Endo and Kouga were already there; Seiobo and Gina came in shortly after, Okuri right behind.
Sesshoumaru followed them a moment later. He had been told of the source and a summary of the missive, but had not yet read it. He sat and took the small scroll that Commander Endo handed him. The message was brief and, though he knew what it said, seeing the words written down was jarring nonetheless. His eyes narrowed and he nodded for Endo to begin.
Commander Endo explained. “We received a message from the Ningen Council an hour ago. Kagome Higurashi is dead.”
The announcement brought shocked gasps from those seated around the table. Once the news had sunk in, the Youkai solemnly bowed their heads. It was not long ago that they thought of Kagome as one of them and she deserved their respect. Masako Inoue felt tears prickly behind her eyes. She knew she should be glad; a traitor to the House of the West was dead. But she couldn’t help but feel sad that Kagome had never gotten a chance to explain her actions. Gina felt like she had been struck and tried her best to keep her emotions in check. She refused to lose control in front of hated Okuri. She met Masako’s teary glance in silent communication—they would commiserate privately later.
Okuri had been waiting for word of the Ningen bitch’s death to reach them for over two weeks, and he now was able to carry on with his plan to usurp power from his cousin. After he judged the moment of silence had persisted for a suitable length, he spoke. “A pity we were not able to execute her ourselves,” he said, mainly to piss Gina off. She had banned him from the private infirmary room where his cousin was, and he, knowing her fondness for the Ningen woman, took every opportunity get under her skin. “Now then…there is another important matter related to this news. Lord Sesshoumaru needs to start thinking about quickly taking a new mate. The main families are justifiably shaken by the events of the past weeks. The last thing the House of the West can afford is a battle over succession.”
Gina sneered. “Oh that’s rich. How faithful and loyal of you to worry about succession…when all you’ve done for the past hundred years is stir up trouble for the House of the West and the Inutaisho clan.”
“Gina…” Seiobo warned. She had had more than enough of the increasing hostility between her niece and Okuri. Gina had good reason to mistrust him, but Seiobo could not abide their quarrels spreading beyond private quarters and into Advisors’ Hall at a time when they needed to be united.
Before an argument could take shape, Sesshoumaru raised a hand to silence everyone. When Endo’s aide came running into General Inutaisho’s wing of the manor and told him that a letter had come from the Ningen Council and that it said that Kagome had been killed, he knew something was not right and called an emergency meeting. “Lady Kagome is not dead.”
All attention was instantly on him, the collective breath held for an explanation. “The message from the Council was unambiguous,” Endo said carefully. “They as good as state that they have confirmation of her death.”
Sesshoumaru’s face was a hard mask, letting no emotion loose. “I would know if she were dead,” he said. “I still feel the bit of my Youki in her. She still lives.”
Gina breathed an audible sigh of relief and dared a small smile, but the others looked confused. If she wasn’t dead, what was the meaning behind the Council’s message?
“What exactly did the letter say?” Sato asked.
“The details are few.” Sesshoumaru unrolled the paper. “’Kagome Higurashi has been officially pronounced dead, killed, we have learned, by the guards at Hakone checkpoint for resisting arrest,’” he quoted. “There is no mention of a body or other proof, but the message goes on to beseech us not to threaten to retaliate and declare War. They conveniently neglected to mention the recent increase in Ningen violence.”
“What violence is this?” Seiobo asked. Taking care of her unconscious mate and continuing to run the day-to-day operations of the manor left her too busy to stay as active in news and diplomatic gossip as she had before.
“There have been raids on a daily basis for almost week,” Masako said. “Both on Youkai border villages and shipments of food. The House of the South has already suspended aid. One of their convoys was attacked two days ago and the youngest son of the powerful Mori family was nearly killed. There is even more troubling news…miko have been taking part in these attacks.”
“The use of miko in attacks is indeed troubling,” Sato said. “But what does this mean then…this news of Lady Kagome’s death. If it is not true, what is the Council up to?”
Sesshoumaru clenched his hands tightly. “Lady Inoue, I know you have been busy combing through the spies’ reports for tomorrow’s meeting. Have you heard any details about this supposed checkpoint incident?”
“Nothing about a fight at a checkpoint,” she said, shaking her head, “but that is far from where our focus has been and we have no one in that area. The House of the East does have a spy stationed quite close to the Higurashi family lands, monitoring Generals Kurono and Akagawa. I know this isn’t related to Kagome and the…rumors of her death, but I feel I should mention it now. Apparently a week or so ago there was some vague disturbance at the manor there. More important, a Ningen wearing Council insignia was seen coming and going from the property. I think it is only prudent to assume that the Council now knows about kayaku.”
“What is the Council up to indeed?” Sesshoumaru said bitterly.
“Well,” Commander Endo said, “the best case is that the Council of Great Families is ill-informed and they sent the message, though apparently false, in good faith. These raids are perpetrated by renegade factions, and the Council is not planning on using kayaku.” He paused and shook his head; the rosy scenario sounded naïve and ridiculous spoken out loud. “The more likely case is that they knowingly lied about Lady Kagome’s death and are sheltering a murderer. And they know about kayaku and are keeping its existence a closely guarded secret. If they are not directly contributing to the attacks on Youkai, and that if seems to strain credulity, it appears they have done little, if anything, to stop them.”
“Will you discuss taking military action against the Ningen?” Sato asked Sesshoumaru. “We can’t do nothing. And the longer we wait, the greater the chances they will be able to use kayaku against us. The other Houses have already said they will support us by joining forces again.”
The silence stretched as they waited for Sesshoumaru’s response. No one wanted war, to return to a place they had thought was behind them. They had only enjoyed the smallest taste of the promise of peace, but when faced with the possibility of eventual destruction, the path seemed inevitable, decided by powers beyond their control.
Sesshoumaru closed his eyes. He hated that just as months before, the weight of accepting peace was dependent on his cooperation and sacrifice, now the decision to resume War rested firmly on his shoulders. He wanted nothing more than to turn back time to two months earlier, before Kagome began to plan her revenge. He wondered if he had been more perceptive and asked her questions about her father she would have made peace with the past and chosen differently. His guilt at not knowing of her pain was as difficult a burden to bear as the decision before him. But he was the acting leader of the West. The safety of the House and the whole of Youkai society was his first responsibility. “I’ll send word to the other three Houses. My father clearly was ambushed by Ningen, with the intent of his assassination. They are actively pursuing aggression against Youkai border villages and groups attempting to deliver aid. They treaty has been broken. Our hand has been forced.”
One by one the Youkai looked around the table and nodded, each understanding what needed to be done.
“I know no one wants to acknowledge it,” Okuri said, again taking advantage of the gravity of the situation. “It is settled that Lord Sesshoumaru will meet with the other Houses to plan our next move, but there is unfinished business. No one wants to acknowledge it…my cousin Isamu is as good as dead. Lord Sesshoumaru is the new head of the House of the West. We all recognize him. And he needs an heir. From a pure-blood Inuyoukai female. He should take a new mate—”
“No,” Sesshoumaru interrupted. “I won’t say it again. I will not take a new mate as long as my present one is living. I will not dishonor Inuyoukai ways, and I refuse to discuss it further. This meeting is over.” He rose and strode from the room, which had become unbearably stifling. He went toward his father’s quarters, hoping to take refuge there and draft the letters to the leaders of the other Houses.
“Sesshoumaru,” Seiobo called, before he got too far away, “may we have a word privately?”
He turned to see his mother and Lord Sato approaching. They held back until the others were gone and went into an empty room.
“I hate to give voice to it,” Seiobo said, “but Okuri is right.” She laid a hand on her son’s arm to stop his protest. “Please, hear me out. He is right about the need to shore up support for the Inutaisho clan. As I was the one who persuaded you to take a Ningen mate, I feel responsible for this mess and I wish to give you sound, needed advice.” Sesshoumaru said nothing, so she continued. “We are not invulnerable to challenge. This matter has weakened our hold on the House and an opportunistic family may make a grab for power. The Inuyoukai families who swore allegiance to your father to support you and your mate did so because of the peace treaty. All that obviously has changed. If you are off fighting in the War again, the best thing for us would be for you to have a fertile mate at home, a statement to the stability of the Hisashi Inutaisho’s direct line of inheritance and to prevent others from getting any ideas. Another battle over succession would devastate the House of the West at a time when we need to be strong for our very survival. Okuri is on our side now, but if a prominent family offered a good match for Azami, the other families may decide to support that claim instead. He took an oath of loyalty…oaths are merely words that lose meaning when faced with the opportunity for personal gain.”
“And we know that Lord Okuri historically has had no problem with acting in his own interests,” Sato said dryly.
Sesshoumaru placed his hand on his mother’s and squeezed gently before removing it. He was a warrior, not a diplomat. Duty, like an old enemy, again haunted him. Duty to take a Ningen mate for peace and the greater good. Duty to act in his injured father’s stead rather than searching the countryside for his missing mate. Duty to order Kagome’s execution. Duty to make the decision to return to the horrors of War. And now…duty to take a new mate to support the Inutaisho clan in the face of House politics. The only thing he had done of his own will, without pressure or duty or for anyone else, was to love Kagome, and even that had been taken away. He sighed heavily. “I will consent to a betrothal, nothing more and not to Azami.” Since swearing fealty, Okuri had been on his best behavior, only entertaining offers of a mate for Azami from the most loyal of the Inuyoukai families. But he was not about to allow his cousin a step closer to achieving his deepest desire. “I refuse to hand this victory to Okuri. He may not have had anything to do with the injury to Father, but this trouble cannot result in a gift landing at his feet. Taking Azami for a mate would make him the ultimate winner.”
“Who then?” Sato asked gently.
“Gina,” Sesshoumaru said. “She is the only Youkai I have complete trust in at the moment.”
Seiobo nodded slowly. Gina had always acted in the General’s best interest and without aspiring to political gain. “Her bloodline and family lineage are impeccable. No one will object to the match. You could instantly put aside all dissent about succession by merely announcing a betrothal.” She smiled, a sly, knowing smile that had once been commonplace but lately was fleeting. “I do believe there is a talented politician buried in you. Well done, my son.”
Lord Sato stifled a laugh. It was good to see the Lady of the West acting like herself again. He had known her since she was first mated to General Inutaisho, and though she had been young at the time, she had proven herself to be her mate’s equal a thousand fold over the years. “Wise and shrewd. You are truly your parents’ son.”
Sesshoumaru was grateful for the somewhat diminished tension, but he had a lot of work to do and had no desire to be further lectured on doing the right thing. He took his leave with promises to visit his father’s room later that day and a request for them to let him talk to Gina himself, in his own time. Though the matter had great import for the House of the West, both he and Gina had been used for political purposes many times. He wanted to speak to her and ask her to grant permission, not simply tell her what was expected of her. The last thing he wanted was for her to hear that she was being offered as an emergency replacement. He wanted to make the proposition without any other eyes on them, without this obscene burden of duty. Despite their animosity growing up, he had come to respect her and her instincts a great deal. And she had been close to Kagome; part of him wanted someone with whom to share a measure of his unbearable grief.
Lord Sato and Lady Seiobo watched him go and followed down the corridor slowly. They lived in a world where War and loss were the norm, and in the face of that, they had wished to carve a different fate for future generations. Both wondered if it was a wish that was even possible.
“I had felt that if my mate were to wake, then all our problems would be over…that doesn’t seem to be the case. Strife draws us in again and again, despite everything we try.”
“So cruel,” Sato said, “that we have seen what peace looks like, only to be thrust back into War as if nothing had happened.”
Seiobo nodded sadly. No crueler than to have her only son shown love, then to have it snatched from him.
XXXXX
A young miko novitiate trudged through fresh snow on her morning errand. Suki enjoyed her position as Kaede’s personal assistant. The extra duties meant a more private place to sleep and the opportunity to escape some of the more physically demanding tasks that other miko were expected to perform. She occasionally felt guilty that she had won the position because of her family name and not because of merit, and so she always endeavored to do her best. At the moment her best was to get up before the sun and fetch Kaede her favorite dried plums from the storehouse.
She crossed the large open space to the far side of the Sisterhood property, when she stopped in her tracks, overcome by a sensation she had only felt twice before. She spun and ran back toward the main buildings as fast as she could in the deep snow. As she got closer, she saw a miko walk out of the adults’ dormitory. “Help!” she called.
Taka, who had trouble sleeping ever since hearing that Kagome was a wanted fugitive and now dead, strode toward the kitchen to begin her morning duties. A young miko was yelling and running in her direction. “Suki,” she said when the girl got close enough to recognize, “what’s wrong?”
“A Youkai…on the grounds,” she said between heaving breaths. “Over between the storehouses and the Shrine. Powerful Youki. I sensed it.”
Taka quickly unsheathed her knife. “Show me where.”
They followed the tracks in the snow to the place they stopped. “I feel it too,” Taka said. She carefully crept forward, toward the strong sensation of Youki. There, lying in the shadows of the Shrine grove trees, was a figure sprawled and half-buried in snow. Taka edged closer and nudged the prone body with her foot. It didn’t move.
“Why would a Youkai come here to die?” Suki said.
Take stared at the figure. “Something’s not right.” The ear peeking out from the black hair was round. The fingers on the extended hand had no claws. She knelt down and pushed hair from the face. “Good gods,” she whispered. It was Kagome. She turned to Suki. “Go straight to Kaede and bring her here now. Don’t tell a single other soul about this, do you understand?”
“Is she alive?”
Taka nodded. “Yes, but we need to warm her up as soon as possible. Bring blankets and a stretcher.” She brushed the snow off and hauled her friend’s body up and into contact with her own as much as she could. Kagome was frigid cold, pale and shivering. Taka began to pray.
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Leiko had warned them that Kagome Higurashi should be tied up and kept under guard at all times. He cursed himself for brushing her concerns aside and not listening to her. They had feared that Kagome would not join them if they heaped abuse upon her and, because they desired her power, instead of treating her like a dangerous prisoner, they foolishly let her have a small degree of comfort—freedom of movement and privacy in a deserted room. Where was the harm in that, they had reasoned. And, he admitted, in their arrogance they had not recognized the possibility that she was capable of escaping. Now they were faced with just how wrong they had been. Not only had she refused to ally with them, she was not in their clutches at all. How had she been able to so thoroughly vanish? The weather had turned brutally cold and the region was sparsely populated. Where had she found shelter? They had search parties everywhere, expecting to find her frozen and begging for help or dead by now, and yet she somehow continued to elude them. He thought perhaps the snow would provide for them a way to track her, but it only made the conditions worse for the soldiers on foot.
“A fucking three-inch piece of glass,” he said with disgust. Takeo Hino’s bloody, maimed face, as he stumbled into the main area of the manor that night, had been a shock to their sense of superiority. The severed ropes lying in the corridor were a testament to her resourcefulness. She was calculating and patient and determined. And not at all intimidated by adversity. At the same time that he hated her, he admired her…and wished even more to find her. Either to again offer her a place with them or to extract some measure of revenge. His fantasies switched between using her powers against his enemies and slowly squeezing her neck until she was limp and lifeless.
The sound of horses hooves on the courtyard stones drew him out of his brooding. General Akagawa had left the day before to investigate a rumor they had heard that a group of guards at a checkpoint had gotten into some trouble with a woman traveling alone. It was the most credible lead they had gotten. Kurono hurried out to hear the news and intercepted Akagawa as he strode out of the stables. “Well,” Kurono said, “do they still have custody of the woman? Was it she?”
Akagawa scowled. He had been riding for two days nearly nonstop. He wished he had an easy, affirmative answer to give, but there was no such luxury. “Let’s go inside. I need a drink.” As they walked toward the manor, he ordered a passing soldier to bring drink and a hot meal to his quarters. “I interviewed the five guards who were stationed at the Hakone checkpoint. A few days ago, they encountered an armed woman traveling without papers or border pass. After briefly questioning her, they realized she could be the woman the Council was looking for.” Once inside, Akagawa stripped off his armor and tossed it to the floor. “She resisted arrest and the guards engaged her in battle. They said she defended herself, but seemed more intent on getting away than killing anyone. They chased her to a steep bank and, they admitted, she could have fought back and probably won, but instead she jumped into the river. They said they doubted anyone could have survived the fall.”
“Did you investigate? Is there a body?”
“No. No body.” He shook his head and took a long drink. “I don’t know what to think. I had them show me the spot she jumped from. The fall was at least forty feet, and the river is deep and fast there. It is conceivable that she survived the jump if she had not been fatally dashed against the rocks. But I don’t know how she would have survived long. The water was like liquid ice.”
“Do you think she actually was Higurashi?”
“The description, both her physical attributes and the skill with which she fought, made it indeed sound like her. I searched the area, downstream and up, in the small chance that she made it out alive. There was no sign of her.” He poured another glass, leaving the food untouched for the moment. “On one hand, I somehow doubt that Kagome Higurashi, given what we have seen of her luck and abilities, died quite so easily. And on the other, I agree with the guards there…survival would have been highly unlikely, if not utterly impossible. The Council has been informed of the incident. I saw the guards’ report; it stated unequivocally that Kagome Higurashi is considered dead.”
Kurono sat silent as he processed this information. “The Council will undoubtedly welcome the news of her death and the opportunity to wash their hands of her. Is there a chance that the Youkai will accept this and be satisfied? If they do, what will it mean to our cause?”
Akagawa had been thinking about this his entire ride back to their headquarters. “They may accept that she is dead, but I wonder if they will be satisfied without a body. The Council has not proven to be particularly trustworthy. I say we renew the raids on the borderlands. Attack a convoy of aid. And be sure to use the miko prominently. Even if this is not official Council business, the Youkai will still see it as Ningen aggression.”
A devious grin spread across Kurono’s face. Finally he had something to counter his feeling of impotence. “Coupled with the lack of retribution for an assassination attempt, I don’t think they will be in a forgiving mood.”
Akagawa nodded. “Kagome was the lynch pin that held the treaty together. Dead or not, she is no longer in the picture. The treaty is more vulnerable now than it has ever been, even in its earliest days. I think it is only a matter of time before it crumbles under the weight of its good intentions.” He leaned back, finally getting comfortable. “We were meant to live apart. The Youkai, I believe, are beginning to realize that. They will not sit idly by as Ningen attacks chip away at what is left of the peace treaty. My prediction is that they raise an army and formally end it before the snow has melted.”
XXXXX
Lady Inoue hurried toward the Advisors Hall. She had been ensconced in her private study all day compiling and examining intelligence reports, when Commander Endo’s aide stormed in and announced there would be an emergency meeting of the Advisors in half an hour. She barely had enough time to organize her documents and check on her son’s hunger level before she had to leave. As she strode down the corridor, she met Lady Higa and they walked together. “Do you know what is going on?” she asked. “And what is so urgent that couldn’t wait until tomorrow’s scheduled meeting?”
“No idea. I was simply told a message came and it was important.”
They walked into the hall and took their places at the table. Commander Endo and Kouga were already there; Seiobo and Gina came in shortly after, Okuri right behind.
Sesshoumaru followed them a moment later. He had been told of the source and a summary of the missive, but had not yet read it. He sat and took the small scroll that Commander Endo handed him. The message was brief and, though he knew what it said, seeing the words written down was jarring nonetheless. His eyes narrowed and he nodded for Endo to begin.
Commander Endo explained. “We received a message from the Ningen Council an hour ago. Kagome Higurashi is dead.”
The announcement brought shocked gasps from those seated around the table. Once the news had sunk in, the Youkai solemnly bowed their heads. It was not long ago that they thought of Kagome as one of them and she deserved their respect. Masako Inoue felt tears prickly behind her eyes. She knew she should be glad; a traitor to the House of the West was dead. But she couldn’t help but feel sad that Kagome had never gotten a chance to explain her actions. Gina felt like she had been struck and tried her best to keep her emotions in check. She refused to lose control in front of hated Okuri. She met Masako’s teary glance in silent communication—they would commiserate privately later.
Okuri had been waiting for word of the Ningen bitch’s death to reach them for over two weeks, and he now was able to carry on with his plan to usurp power from his cousin. After he judged the moment of silence had persisted for a suitable length, he spoke. “A pity we were not able to execute her ourselves,” he said, mainly to piss Gina off. She had banned him from the private infirmary room where his cousin was, and he, knowing her fondness for the Ningen woman, took every opportunity get under her skin. “Now then…there is another important matter related to this news. Lord Sesshoumaru needs to start thinking about quickly taking a new mate. The main families are justifiably shaken by the events of the past weeks. The last thing the House of the West can afford is a battle over succession.”
Gina sneered. “Oh that’s rich. How faithful and loyal of you to worry about succession…when all you’ve done for the past hundred years is stir up trouble for the House of the West and the Inutaisho clan.”
“Gina…” Seiobo warned. She had had more than enough of the increasing hostility between her niece and Okuri. Gina had good reason to mistrust him, but Seiobo could not abide their quarrels spreading beyond private quarters and into Advisors’ Hall at a time when they needed to be united.
Before an argument could take shape, Sesshoumaru raised a hand to silence everyone. When Endo’s aide came running into General Inutaisho’s wing of the manor and told him that a letter had come from the Ningen Council and that it said that Kagome had been killed, he knew something was not right and called an emergency meeting. “Lady Kagome is not dead.”
All attention was instantly on him, the collective breath held for an explanation. “The message from the Council was unambiguous,” Endo said carefully. “They as good as state that they have confirmation of her death.”
Sesshoumaru’s face was a hard mask, letting no emotion loose. “I would know if she were dead,” he said. “I still feel the bit of my Youki in her. She still lives.”
Gina breathed an audible sigh of relief and dared a small smile, but the others looked confused. If she wasn’t dead, what was the meaning behind the Council’s message?
“What exactly did the letter say?” Sato asked.
“The details are few.” Sesshoumaru unrolled the paper. “’Kagome Higurashi has been officially pronounced dead, killed, we have learned, by the guards at Hakone checkpoint for resisting arrest,’” he quoted. “There is no mention of a body or other proof, but the message goes on to beseech us not to threaten to retaliate and declare War. They conveniently neglected to mention the recent increase in Ningen violence.”
“What violence is this?” Seiobo asked. Taking care of her unconscious mate and continuing to run the day-to-day operations of the manor left her too busy to stay as active in news and diplomatic gossip as she had before.
“There have been raids on a daily basis for almost week,” Masako said. “Both on Youkai border villages and shipments of food. The House of the South has already suspended aid. One of their convoys was attacked two days ago and the youngest son of the powerful Mori family was nearly killed. There is even more troubling news…miko have been taking part in these attacks.”
“The use of miko in attacks is indeed troubling,” Sato said. “But what does this mean then…this news of Lady Kagome’s death. If it is not true, what is the Council up to?”
Sesshoumaru clenched his hands tightly. “Lady Inoue, I know you have been busy combing through the spies’ reports for tomorrow’s meeting. Have you heard any details about this supposed checkpoint incident?”
“Nothing about a fight at a checkpoint,” she said, shaking her head, “but that is far from where our focus has been and we have no one in that area. The House of the East does have a spy stationed quite close to the Higurashi family lands, monitoring Generals Kurono and Akagawa. I know this isn’t related to Kagome and the…rumors of her death, but I feel I should mention it now. Apparently a week or so ago there was some vague disturbance at the manor there. More important, a Ningen wearing Council insignia was seen coming and going from the property. I think it is only prudent to assume that the Council now knows about kayaku.”
“What is the Council up to indeed?” Sesshoumaru said bitterly.
“Well,” Commander Endo said, “the best case is that the Council of Great Families is ill-informed and they sent the message, though apparently false, in good faith. These raids are perpetrated by renegade factions, and the Council is not planning on using kayaku.” He paused and shook his head; the rosy scenario sounded naïve and ridiculous spoken out loud. “The more likely case is that they knowingly lied about Lady Kagome’s death and are sheltering a murderer. And they know about kayaku and are keeping its existence a closely guarded secret. If they are not directly contributing to the attacks on Youkai, and that if seems to strain credulity, it appears they have done little, if anything, to stop them.”
“Will you discuss taking military action against the Ningen?” Sato asked Sesshoumaru. “We can’t do nothing. And the longer we wait, the greater the chances they will be able to use kayaku against us. The other Houses have already said they will support us by joining forces again.”
The silence stretched as they waited for Sesshoumaru’s response. No one wanted war, to return to a place they had thought was behind them. They had only enjoyed the smallest taste of the promise of peace, but when faced with the possibility of eventual destruction, the path seemed inevitable, decided by powers beyond their control.
Sesshoumaru closed his eyes. He hated that just as months before, the weight of accepting peace was dependent on his cooperation and sacrifice, now the decision to resume War rested firmly on his shoulders. He wanted nothing more than to turn back time to two months earlier, before Kagome began to plan her revenge. He wondered if he had been more perceptive and asked her questions about her father she would have made peace with the past and chosen differently. His guilt at not knowing of her pain was as difficult a burden to bear as the decision before him. But he was the acting leader of the West. The safety of the House and the whole of Youkai society was his first responsibility. “I’ll send word to the other three Houses. My father clearly was ambushed by Ningen, with the intent of his assassination. They are actively pursuing aggression against Youkai border villages and groups attempting to deliver aid. They treaty has been broken. Our hand has been forced.”
One by one the Youkai looked around the table and nodded, each understanding what needed to be done.
“I know no one wants to acknowledge it,” Okuri said, again taking advantage of the gravity of the situation. “It is settled that Lord Sesshoumaru will meet with the other Houses to plan our next move, but there is unfinished business. No one wants to acknowledge it…my cousin Isamu is as good as dead. Lord Sesshoumaru is the new head of the House of the West. We all recognize him. And he needs an heir. From a pure-blood Inuyoukai female. He should take a new mate—”
“No,” Sesshoumaru interrupted. “I won’t say it again. I will not take a new mate as long as my present one is living. I will not dishonor Inuyoukai ways, and I refuse to discuss it further. This meeting is over.” He rose and strode from the room, which had become unbearably stifling. He went toward his father’s quarters, hoping to take refuge there and draft the letters to the leaders of the other Houses.
“Sesshoumaru,” Seiobo called, before he got too far away, “may we have a word privately?”
He turned to see his mother and Lord Sato approaching. They held back until the others were gone and went into an empty room.
“I hate to give voice to it,” Seiobo said, “but Okuri is right.” She laid a hand on her son’s arm to stop his protest. “Please, hear me out. He is right about the need to shore up support for the Inutaisho clan. As I was the one who persuaded you to take a Ningen mate, I feel responsible for this mess and I wish to give you sound, needed advice.” Sesshoumaru said nothing, so she continued. “We are not invulnerable to challenge. This matter has weakened our hold on the House and an opportunistic family may make a grab for power. The Inuyoukai families who swore allegiance to your father to support you and your mate did so because of the peace treaty. All that obviously has changed. If you are off fighting in the War again, the best thing for us would be for you to have a fertile mate at home, a statement to the stability of the Hisashi Inutaisho’s direct line of inheritance and to prevent others from getting any ideas. Another battle over succession would devastate the House of the West at a time when we need to be strong for our very survival. Okuri is on our side now, but if a prominent family offered a good match for Azami, the other families may decide to support that claim instead. He took an oath of loyalty…oaths are merely words that lose meaning when faced with the opportunity for personal gain.”
“And we know that Lord Okuri historically has had no problem with acting in his own interests,” Sato said dryly.
Sesshoumaru placed his hand on his mother’s and squeezed gently before removing it. He was a warrior, not a diplomat. Duty, like an old enemy, again haunted him. Duty to take a Ningen mate for peace and the greater good. Duty to act in his injured father’s stead rather than searching the countryside for his missing mate. Duty to order Kagome’s execution. Duty to make the decision to return to the horrors of War. And now…duty to take a new mate to support the Inutaisho clan in the face of House politics. The only thing he had done of his own will, without pressure or duty or for anyone else, was to love Kagome, and even that had been taken away. He sighed heavily. “I will consent to a betrothal, nothing more and not to Azami.” Since swearing fealty, Okuri had been on his best behavior, only entertaining offers of a mate for Azami from the most loyal of the Inuyoukai families. But he was not about to allow his cousin a step closer to achieving his deepest desire. “I refuse to hand this victory to Okuri. He may not have had anything to do with the injury to Father, but this trouble cannot result in a gift landing at his feet. Taking Azami for a mate would make him the ultimate winner.”
“Who then?” Sato asked gently.
“Gina,” Sesshoumaru said. “She is the only Youkai I have complete trust in at the moment.”
Seiobo nodded slowly. Gina had always acted in the General’s best interest and without aspiring to political gain. “Her bloodline and family lineage are impeccable. No one will object to the match. You could instantly put aside all dissent about succession by merely announcing a betrothal.” She smiled, a sly, knowing smile that had once been commonplace but lately was fleeting. “I do believe there is a talented politician buried in you. Well done, my son.”
Lord Sato stifled a laugh. It was good to see the Lady of the West acting like herself again. He had known her since she was first mated to General Inutaisho, and though she had been young at the time, she had proven herself to be her mate’s equal a thousand fold over the years. “Wise and shrewd. You are truly your parents’ son.”
Sesshoumaru was grateful for the somewhat diminished tension, but he had a lot of work to do and had no desire to be further lectured on doing the right thing. He took his leave with promises to visit his father’s room later that day and a request for them to let him talk to Gina himself, in his own time. Though the matter had great import for the House of the West, both he and Gina had been used for political purposes many times. He wanted to speak to her and ask her to grant permission, not simply tell her what was expected of her. The last thing he wanted was for her to hear that she was being offered as an emergency replacement. He wanted to make the proposition without any other eyes on them, without this obscene burden of duty. Despite their animosity growing up, he had come to respect her and her instincts a great deal. And she had been close to Kagome; part of him wanted someone with whom to share a measure of his unbearable grief.
Lord Sato and Lady Seiobo watched him go and followed down the corridor slowly. They lived in a world where War and loss were the norm, and in the face of that, they had wished to carve a different fate for future generations. Both wondered if it was a wish that was even possible.
“I had felt that if my mate were to wake, then all our problems would be over…that doesn’t seem to be the case. Strife draws us in again and again, despite everything we try.”
“So cruel,” Sato said, “that we have seen what peace looks like, only to be thrust back into War as if nothing had happened.”
Seiobo nodded sadly. No crueler than to have her only son shown love, then to have it snatched from him.
XXXXX
A young miko novitiate trudged through fresh snow on her morning errand. Suki enjoyed her position as Kaede’s personal assistant. The extra duties meant a more private place to sleep and the opportunity to escape some of the more physically demanding tasks that other miko were expected to perform. She occasionally felt guilty that she had won the position because of her family name and not because of merit, and so she always endeavored to do her best. At the moment her best was to get up before the sun and fetch Kaede her favorite dried plums from the storehouse.
She crossed the large open space to the far side of the Sisterhood property, when she stopped in her tracks, overcome by a sensation she had only felt twice before. She spun and ran back toward the main buildings as fast as she could in the deep snow. As she got closer, she saw a miko walk out of the adults’ dormitory. “Help!” she called.
Taka, who had trouble sleeping ever since hearing that Kagome was a wanted fugitive and now dead, strode toward the kitchen to begin her morning duties. A young miko was yelling and running in her direction. “Suki,” she said when the girl got close enough to recognize, “what’s wrong?”
“A Youkai…on the grounds,” she said between heaving breaths. “Over between the storehouses and the Shrine. Powerful Youki. I sensed it.”
Taka quickly unsheathed her knife. “Show me where.”
They followed the tracks in the snow to the place they stopped. “I feel it too,” Taka said. She carefully crept forward, toward the strong sensation of Youki. There, lying in the shadows of the Shrine grove trees, was a figure sprawled and half-buried in snow. Taka edged closer and nudged the prone body with her foot. It didn’t move.
“Why would a Youkai come here to die?” Suki said.
Take stared at the figure. “Something’s not right.” The ear peeking out from the black hair was round. The fingers on the extended hand had no claws. She knelt down and pushed hair from the face. “Good gods,” she whispered. It was Kagome. She turned to Suki. “Go straight to Kaede and bring her here now. Don’t tell a single other soul about this, do you understand?”
“Is she alive?”
Taka nodded. “Yes, but we need to warm her up as soon as possible. Bring blankets and a stretcher.” She brushed the snow off and hauled her friend’s body up and into contact with her own as much as she could. Kagome was frigid cold, pale and shivering. Taka began to pray.
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