InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Peace Treaty ❯ Trust ( Chapter 48 )
[ 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: 03.09.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.4K | Visits: 862 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 03.09.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.4K | Visits: 862 | Status: Work In Progress
Gina raised a candle and scanned the far recesses of the infirmary supply room shelves, counting jars of herbs and taking a mental inventory of the items she would have to replenish first. A renewal of War would bring a fresh influx of soldiers returning from the battlefield, weakened from blood loss and with bones in need of mending. She wondered what new horrors she would be expected to treat if the Ningen weapon were used in the future. The thought of more injuries like General Inutaisho’s burned arm sickened her.
The door slid open, and Gina knew without turning that it was Sesshoumaru. He came every morning and evening to sit with his father. Sometimes she heard him talking or reading to him; usually he simply sat in silence, his head bowed. He had always been solemn, even when they were young, but now the sorrow that drifted around the manor seemed to cover him like a shroud. “Hello, cousin,” she said. “Have you noticed any change in his condition?”
“He seems thinner every day.” Sesshoumaru walked into the room and stood next to her. “His heart still beats steady—there is that comfort. I’m concerned about my mother though. Every time I saw her today, she was weeping.”
Gina smiled softly. Seiobo had confided in her two days before that she was worried about Sesshoumaru, that he was was burying himself in work and pulling away from her. “She has good days and bad days. Today was a bad day.” She placed a hand on his shoulder and hoped she was providing some reassurance for him. “She’s strong, Sesshoumaru. I’ll tell you if she ever begins to alarm me. You two have each other, you know. Maybe you should go to see her.” He nodded but made no move to leave. “I know why you’re here, cousin. I’ve heard the advisors talking.”
He sighed. This was a conversation he had been postponing, but as the inevitably of War became apparent, he knew the issue would not conveniently disappear. “I need to make my intentions for succession known. There are dozens of daughters from prominent families who are suitable mates, but you are the only one I trust.”
“Trust.” Gina let the word linger. “Trust not to ask you to love me?” she said gently. “Am I a safe choice because you know I’ll never demand that you forget her? You trust me to let you mourn?”
None of her questions required answers; she understood. He could find a young, submissive Inuyoukai female and take her into his bed, but such an act would be futile. He could not escape his feelings about Kagome by mating another; the attempt would dishonor everyone involved. “Sometimes I think we’ll be in mourning forever.”
“Sesshoumaru…I’ve known for a long time that I was not destined to have a love match, that if I was ever mated, it would be for entirely political reasons. I never envisioned those political reasons would have so much riding on them and would feel so personal. I, like you, know my duty. Of course I will support you, but I must ask…can you actually go through with this?”
“The future of the house is at stake. And it’s only a betrothal.”
“Until when?” Gina asked. “Only a betrothal won’t change the fact that you need an heir. The pressure of responsibility won’t go away.” She felt him begin to pull away, and she put an arm around him, then another. He made no attempt to escape. “I worry about you.”
“Gina,” he said, cautiously drawing her close, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry you have to be a part of this. This mess.”
“Sessh…you don’t need to apologize. We’ve been through too much together. I’m sorry too, for you. As I said, you have my support. But until I see incontrovertible proof of her guilt, I cannot go beyond a betrothal.”
“It is enough.” Enough that she understood his ambivalence, his reluctance. Enough that she did not condemn him. “I wish I had the luxury of waiting for her confession. Instead I have a father who is dying but doesn’t die. I have murdered youkai and a missing sword and a missing ring. I have a letter in her own hand describing revenge. Gina, I have the weight of responsibility. It is heavier that any bit of doubt. Ningen are preparing to kill us off like insects. We Youkai must be united. In the face of War, we cannot afford sentimentality or strife over succession. The House of the West will not be seen through the eyes of history as the Taiyoukai who let the Ningen win.”
“But what if you are wrong?” She couldn’t help but cling to the hope that Kagome would one day be able to prove her innocence, that it wasn’t too late for her cousin to snatch back his chance for happiness.
“Don’t you understand?” He pulled back and gripped her arms, looking into her eyes. “I would be happy to be wrong. I would embrace being wrong.”
She was satisfied, able still to hold on to that last speck of hope, even as her heart broke at the anguish on his face. “Sesshoumaru, you look exhausted. Go to bed and get a good night’s sleep.”
“I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since…” …the Longest Night. When they lay at peace and slumbering in each other’s arms, the night before his world came undone. “I’ll try. But first I think I’ll visit my mother.”
“Good night, then.” A comment he made triggered an itch in the back of her mind—the signet ring that the servants had found. She, assuming it belonged to the Ryouyoukai, sent it to them, but they replied with a message that it was not one of theirs. Gina thought then about asking Seiobo, who knew all the lesser families of each house, but she had barely looked at it before wrapping it up and bringing it to the aviary. She didn’t even remember what it looked like. “A missing ring? What ring is that?” she asked his retreating form.
He glanced over his shoulder. “On the Longest Night, Kagome gave me a ring that belonged to her. It had great personal significance to her and disappeared when she did. Why do you ask?”
Gina shook her head. The ring she had seen was certainly not one a Ningen woman would own. “No reason. Good night, cousin.”
XXXXX
Kagome strode back and forth as she waited for General Miyamoto, on edge with fear over their upcoming meeting. They hadn’t exactly parted on good terms. She remembered her insolence at the treaty negotiations with an embarrassed groan. Currently, he was speaking privately with Lady Kaede, so she could explain to him Kagome’s presence at the Sisterhood and what she had told her about the conspiracy between Ningen and Youkai. And he would be coming to see her any minute.
Taka scowled at Kagome’s nervousness, which spread to her like contagion. They were leaving the Shrine of the Miko Sisterhood at dawn the following morning, with or without Miyamoto’s blessing, but both she and Kagome craved his support. “Kagome, your pacing is driving me mad. You really should be resting your feet. If it were up to me, you wouldn’t be out of bed.”
“I suppose you are right.” She sat, then rose quickly and resumed walking. “What if he refuses to cooperate? What if he’s an ass? He hates me, you know.”
“I agree that he’s overbearing, insufferably so.” Taka was sympathetic to Kagome’s anxiety. She had tangled with the Shrine’s feudal lord the last time he was there for inspections. He was a demanding, impatient man, though she believed he was fair. “He isn’t going to let his personal feelings, even if he did hate you…which I’m sure he doesn’t, influence his judgment about something as important as War.”
“I know, I just—”
She was interrupted by the sounds of footfalls approaching the small reception room. Kagome returned to her seat next to Taka just as General Miyamoto and Lady Kaede entered.
“You’ve been mysteriously resurrected,” he said dryly. “I knew you couldn’t be killed so easily.” He took his seat across the table from the two young miko. “Lady Kaede has spun a rather intriguing tale, and she says you have more to add. Something about a new weapon.”
Kagome hazarded a glance at him before she bowed. His expression was guarded, yet interested. “They call it kayaku. I first learned about it while living with the Taiyoukai, but until I saw it during my imprisonment I couldn’t have imagined how dangerous it is.”
He was silent, waiting for her to continue.
“They showed me a demonstration. Two Ningen soldiers were able to destroy a large stone wall, even though they were standing fifty yards away. From what I understand, it is a combustible powder that shoots a projectile when lit on fire. They also have a hand-held version, for close range killing.”
“They mean to use this against Youkai?”
She nodded. “Eventually. First they mean to use it to gain control of the Council of Great Families.”
His eyes narrowed. “So that’s what they’ve been up to. I was wondering why they have been so quiet.” The dots, everything Kaede had told him began to connect in his mind. “That is why they have been provoking the Youkai with these irritating borders raids and why they took you. A resumption of War to enable a power grab. They get revenge on the Council for the peace treaty and can try out their new toy.”
“Provoking War was the key way to persuade the Council to accept their control, though I have no doubt that they would use their weapon if you don’t cede willingly. They have no qualms with killing anyone who stands in their way.”
“You are probably correct. I’ve long had my suspicions about how General Akagawa came to control Harou Fukuguchi’s Council seat. His untimely demise was curiously close to the accidental death of his young heir’s uncle.” He stared at her, coolly assessing. She was no longer wearing the subjugation beads he had given Sesshoumaru, and he wondered what had caused their removal. She certainly had to possess skill and cunning to be able to escape Kurono and Akagawa, fake her death, and travel to the Sisterhood during one of the most brutal cold spells on record. He needed to know if she was worthy of his trust. “So here we are. I don’t need to tell you that we would prefer to prevent the renewal of War. Give me a reason why I shouldn’t take custody of you and turn you over to the Youkai. It seems that would solve our problems.”
Kaede held her hand up to silence Kagome. “With all due respect, my lord, I won’t let you,” she said.
Taka saw Miyamoto’s glower and quickly added, “It’s too dangerous. You yourself just acknowledged that Akagawa has influence on the Council. She has a better chance of safely getting into Youkai territory if she can go in secret.”
“The Youkai will listen to me,” Kagome said, trying to keep her voice strong. “If I’m killed before they can question me, they won’t take talk of a conspiracy seriously. They don’t trust Ningen.”
“They will listen to Kagome,” Taka said.
“You seem quite sure of that.” Miyamoto looked back and forth between Kagome and Taka and wondered if all of Lady Kaede’s prized pupils were so headstrong.
“You said the Council fears the Youkai declaring War. Do you still believe in peace?” asked Kagome. “You believed in it enough at one time to risk everything. The only thing that has changed is that Ningen treachery has shown its ugly face. The Youkai don’t want War. That I know. Let me go to them. Let me clear my name. I know I can stop a declaration of War.”
Miyamoto was thoughtful a moment. “That is a lot to pin on the shoulders of a lone Ningen woman whom the Youkai want dead.”
“You owe me,” Kagome said, suddenly angry. “Three months ago, you upended my life without my permission, all in the name of peace. Letting me go, trusting me to try to keep that peace is the least you can do for me.”
He nodded slowly. When the message came from Lord Sesshoumaru that Kagome was to answer for her role in the murder attempt of his father, Miyamoto refused to believe it. Kagome’s father, Hayate Higurashi, was the most noble, moral man he’d ever met and could not believe that his daughter would have had anything to do with murder. As Lady Kaede related everything she had learned, it all began to make sense, especially hearing that Kurono and Akagawa were involved. Kagome was confident and competent and worthy of his support. But he didn’t know if he could, in good faith, send the woman to what could likely be her death. Was it possible that their best chance to hold War at bay was again this impudent miko? How long would her luck last? “It will be dangerous. Are you prepared to go into enemy territory?”
“They aren’t my enemy.”
“Are you prepared to face execution?”
Execution. Kagome prayed it would not come to that, but in truth, she had no idea what the situation at the House of the West was like. “I am.”
“I’m told you wish to accompany her,” Miyamoto said, looking at Taka. “Are you prepared?”
“I am.”
“I don’t know if you two are brave or foolish,” he said.
Taka let a grin escape, but Kagome said quickly, “I would like to make two requests.”
Miyamoto nodded carefully. He remembered Kagome’s last minute demands at the treaty negotiations.
“Until you hear about our success or lack of it, don’t go to Kurono and Akagawa’s base of operations. Don’t try to take control of this weapon.”
“Why ever not?” he snapped. He was right to be suspicious; she was asking too much. “Inaction puts the Council in a very vulnerable place.”
“I’ve seen how deadly kayaku is. You’ll do best to combine forces with Youkai to defeat Kurono and Akagawa.”
“I don’t have a guarantee that that help is forthcoming.”
Kagome was not unappreciative of the huge leap of faith she was asking Miyamoto to take in telling him to sit on his hands while the Youkai were building armies and Kurono and Akagawa plotted in the shadows. “You do have a guarantee that if the Youkai find out that the Council has this weapon in their control, they will never lay down arms and War will become inevitable. I told you they don’t trust Ningen. I promise that they will be willing to talk if I return.”
Miyamoto sighed. He was torn between wanting to believe her and his duty to protect Ningen society. “What else do you want from me?”
“A document. Something that says the official position of the Council of Great Families is a commitment to continue the peace, that you have heard my story and support me. That you will not retaliate. That you will help them destroy kayaku. I need a document that says Ningen have an equal desire and intent to forsake War.”
“I cannot speak for the entire Council, but I will provide the papers with my personal seal, saying that I speak for the majority and it is our commitment to avoid War and not add to the escalation. This is the best I can do on my own, without calling a meeting. The rest of the Council doesn’t know about this weapon, but I know their position on a possible coup by Kurono and Akagawa.”
“That will do.” Kagome was afraid to let out her breath, so tense she was that he would change his mind and refuse.
“I’ll get the necessary documents to you by the end of the day.”
“Thank you.”
“Just stay alive,” he said. It seemed improbable that so much depended on the two young women in front of him. “I will meet with Furuki and Kitabashi to inform them of the plot and discuss how many of the rest of the Council members we should enlighten. We will do everything we can to protect you. How much time will you need? We cannot wait forever knowing that Kurono and Akagawa wish to wrest control from us.”
“A week,” Kagome said. “Give us a week.”
“A week?” Taka gasped increduoulsy. “Kagome, I’ve studied the maps. It’s at least a five-day journey in good weather and with no trouble. It’s winter and we are almost certain of encountering trouble. We will need two weeks at least.”
Miyamoto wanted to tell them they had as much time as they needed, but that was simply not the case. “You have ten days. Then I will have no choice but to move into Higurashi lands and attempt to seize this weapon.”
Ten days, Kagome thought. Ten days to get to the Western stronghold in one piece and convince them of her innocence, Okuri masterminded the attacks, and the Council still wants peace and will help defeat Kurono and Akagawa. “Ten days,” she agreed.
“You truly are your father’s daughter, Lady Kagome Higurashi. May the gods watch you both and keep you safe.”
Kagome tried on a smile; despite the immense pressure they would soon be under, she was relieved and hopeful. She prayed she would be worthy to live up to her father’s legacy.
XXXXX
Lord Okuri finished penning his message and rubbed his temples; anger was a constant companion when he was in the privacy of his quarters and more often than not, it manifested in an intense headache. He had fumed for days when he learned that his former Ningen allies had betrayed him by not killing Kagome as they had arranged. His hatred was compounded after Sesshoumaru announced a betrothal with Gina and not Azami. His meticulously laid plans, which had seemed so destined to succeed a week before, were falling apart. His cousin was not yet dead, Kagome was still alive, and the leadership of the House of the West was no closer to being in his grasp than it had in past decades.
He was not ready to give up however.
He had been in contact with several sympathetic families, the ones who voiced most loudly the distaste of a Ningen bride, and continued to cultivate support for his position, that of the rightful heir to Hisashi Inutaisho. This was done with the most innocent, impotent language—if any of the Taiyoukai learned of his plotting, his execution would be guaranteed. Foremost in his mind was the necessity to protect himself by silencing Kagome. It was logical that she would attempt to contact Sesshoumaru and explain the truth of what had happened at the hunt. He had a loyal servant monitoring the aviary to intercept any communication that came from Ningen territory, while he discretely searched for an assassin. In the meantime, he had to find a safe place to which to escape in the event the worst happened. To what degree, he contemplated, would those sympathetic families shelter him if they knew the extent of his involvement? Removing the Ningen bitch was a necessary evil; killing his cousin and allying with the enemy…unforgiveable treason and sacrilege. Yes, Kagome was expendable before, but now she was a direct threat. She needed to die. Only then could he be assured of his safety.
XXXXX
Leiko touched the still-tender knot at the top of her head, an unconscious gesture that she did every time she thought about Kagome Higurashi. She thought about Kagome a lot. Ever since they had heard of the incident at Hakone, her refrain was a constant warning that Kagome should not be assumed dead and they should still be out looking for her. Kurono and Akagawa only half-listened to her protests, preferring to bask in their certainty that victory was inevitable. She clutched the scroll in her fist as she knocked on the door to the generals’ meeting room. Being right tasted more bitter than sweet.
Kurono and Akagawa glanced up as she entered. “Leiko, how nice to see you,” Kurono said, a mild hint of sarcasm in his voice.
“I just received a letter from a friend I still have at the Shrine of the Miko Sisterhood.” Leiko paused until she had their full attention. “She tells me that not only is Kagome Higurashi alive and well, she has met with General Miyamoto. Kaede tried to keep her presence a secret, but news in that place spreads. She and another miko left two days ago to go to Youkai territory.”
“Interesting…but not unexpected. We knew of Kagome’s resourcefulness,” Akagawa said evenly. This turn of events had been a distinct possibility at the back of their minds. He traded glances with Kurono. “We can presume that she has told our dear friend Miyamoto all about kayaku, and yet he has not made a move toward us.”
“He is most likely biding his time,” Kurono said, “waiting to see what Kagome can accomplish. First, we need to double our guard and step up production. Get more hanyou slaves if we need to. As long as we have kayaku, we have the upper hand.”
Leiko shook her head forcefully. “Kagome must be prevented from reaching the West. That should be your priority. If she is able to tell the Youkai the truth, we can wave our plans goodbye.”
“Calm down,Leiko,” Akagawa said with a dismissive gesture. “Now that we know where she’s going, she will be easy to track and find. We’ll send our best men to kill her. She won’t make it to her destination.”
Leiko hated their continued patronizing tone and wondered how they had accomplished so much with the burden of their ignorance. “I told you from the beginning to kill her,” she spat. “What if she does make it there? How many times did I tell you not to underestimate her, but you continued to do so?”
“She’s right,” Kurono said. The miko’s shrill nagging of the past weeks had been more than irritating, but he had to admit that she had a point. “We have underestimated her in the past. Our next move could perhaps be the most critical.” He paused and stared at the pile of maps in the corner. Their options were limited since they had double-crossed Lord Okuri. “Our best course is to play on how the Youkai currently think of Kagome, as a traitor. Imagine, if you will, they learn she is coming but they believe she means to finish the job she left undone. The Youkai have spies around Ningen territory. I say we use them. And I think we also need to send word to the Youkai that Kagome is on her way. Time, I think, for Okashita to write a letter.”
“Clever,” Akagawa said, grinning deviously. “It may work. They may kill her themselves before she even has a chance to speak.”
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The door slid open, and Gina knew without turning that it was Sesshoumaru. He came every morning and evening to sit with his father. Sometimes she heard him talking or reading to him; usually he simply sat in silence, his head bowed. He had always been solemn, even when they were young, but now the sorrow that drifted around the manor seemed to cover him like a shroud. “Hello, cousin,” she said. “Have you noticed any change in his condition?”
“He seems thinner every day.” Sesshoumaru walked into the room and stood next to her. “His heart still beats steady—there is that comfort. I’m concerned about my mother though. Every time I saw her today, she was weeping.”
Gina smiled softly. Seiobo had confided in her two days before that she was worried about Sesshoumaru, that he was was burying himself in work and pulling away from her. “She has good days and bad days. Today was a bad day.” She placed a hand on his shoulder and hoped she was providing some reassurance for him. “She’s strong, Sesshoumaru. I’ll tell you if she ever begins to alarm me. You two have each other, you know. Maybe you should go to see her.” He nodded but made no move to leave. “I know why you’re here, cousin. I’ve heard the advisors talking.”
He sighed. This was a conversation he had been postponing, but as the inevitably of War became apparent, he knew the issue would not conveniently disappear. “I need to make my intentions for succession known. There are dozens of daughters from prominent families who are suitable mates, but you are the only one I trust.”
“Trust.” Gina let the word linger. “Trust not to ask you to love me?” she said gently. “Am I a safe choice because you know I’ll never demand that you forget her? You trust me to let you mourn?”
None of her questions required answers; she understood. He could find a young, submissive Inuyoukai female and take her into his bed, but such an act would be futile. He could not escape his feelings about Kagome by mating another; the attempt would dishonor everyone involved. “Sometimes I think we’ll be in mourning forever.”
“Sesshoumaru…I’ve known for a long time that I was not destined to have a love match, that if I was ever mated, it would be for entirely political reasons. I never envisioned those political reasons would have so much riding on them and would feel so personal. I, like you, know my duty. Of course I will support you, but I must ask…can you actually go through with this?”
“The future of the house is at stake. And it’s only a betrothal.”
“Until when?” Gina asked. “Only a betrothal won’t change the fact that you need an heir. The pressure of responsibility won’t go away.” She felt him begin to pull away, and she put an arm around him, then another. He made no attempt to escape. “I worry about you.”
“Gina,” he said, cautiously drawing her close, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry you have to be a part of this. This mess.”
“Sessh…you don’t need to apologize. We’ve been through too much together. I’m sorry too, for you. As I said, you have my support. But until I see incontrovertible proof of her guilt, I cannot go beyond a betrothal.”
“It is enough.” Enough that she understood his ambivalence, his reluctance. Enough that she did not condemn him. “I wish I had the luxury of waiting for her confession. Instead I have a father who is dying but doesn’t die. I have murdered youkai and a missing sword and a missing ring. I have a letter in her own hand describing revenge. Gina, I have the weight of responsibility. It is heavier that any bit of doubt. Ningen are preparing to kill us off like insects. We Youkai must be united. In the face of War, we cannot afford sentimentality or strife over succession. The House of the West will not be seen through the eyes of history as the Taiyoukai who let the Ningen win.”
“But what if you are wrong?” She couldn’t help but cling to the hope that Kagome would one day be able to prove her innocence, that it wasn’t too late for her cousin to snatch back his chance for happiness.
“Don’t you understand?” He pulled back and gripped her arms, looking into her eyes. “I would be happy to be wrong. I would embrace being wrong.”
She was satisfied, able still to hold on to that last speck of hope, even as her heart broke at the anguish on his face. “Sesshoumaru, you look exhausted. Go to bed and get a good night’s sleep.”
“I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since…” …the Longest Night. When they lay at peace and slumbering in each other’s arms, the night before his world came undone. “I’ll try. But first I think I’ll visit my mother.”
“Good night, then.” A comment he made triggered an itch in the back of her mind—the signet ring that the servants had found. She, assuming it belonged to the Ryouyoukai, sent it to them, but they replied with a message that it was not one of theirs. Gina thought then about asking Seiobo, who knew all the lesser families of each house, but she had barely looked at it before wrapping it up and bringing it to the aviary. She didn’t even remember what it looked like. “A missing ring? What ring is that?” she asked his retreating form.
He glanced over his shoulder. “On the Longest Night, Kagome gave me a ring that belonged to her. It had great personal significance to her and disappeared when she did. Why do you ask?”
Gina shook her head. The ring she had seen was certainly not one a Ningen woman would own. “No reason. Good night, cousin.”
XXXXX
Kagome strode back and forth as she waited for General Miyamoto, on edge with fear over their upcoming meeting. They hadn’t exactly parted on good terms. She remembered her insolence at the treaty negotiations with an embarrassed groan. Currently, he was speaking privately with Lady Kaede, so she could explain to him Kagome’s presence at the Sisterhood and what she had told her about the conspiracy between Ningen and Youkai. And he would be coming to see her any minute.
Taka scowled at Kagome’s nervousness, which spread to her like contagion. They were leaving the Shrine of the Miko Sisterhood at dawn the following morning, with or without Miyamoto’s blessing, but both she and Kagome craved his support. “Kagome, your pacing is driving me mad. You really should be resting your feet. If it were up to me, you wouldn’t be out of bed.”
“I suppose you are right.” She sat, then rose quickly and resumed walking. “What if he refuses to cooperate? What if he’s an ass? He hates me, you know.”
“I agree that he’s overbearing, insufferably so.” Taka was sympathetic to Kagome’s anxiety. She had tangled with the Shrine’s feudal lord the last time he was there for inspections. He was a demanding, impatient man, though she believed he was fair. “He isn’t going to let his personal feelings, even if he did hate you…which I’m sure he doesn’t, influence his judgment about something as important as War.”
“I know, I just—”
She was interrupted by the sounds of footfalls approaching the small reception room. Kagome returned to her seat next to Taka just as General Miyamoto and Lady Kaede entered.
“You’ve been mysteriously resurrected,” he said dryly. “I knew you couldn’t be killed so easily.” He took his seat across the table from the two young miko. “Lady Kaede has spun a rather intriguing tale, and she says you have more to add. Something about a new weapon.”
Kagome hazarded a glance at him before she bowed. His expression was guarded, yet interested. “They call it kayaku. I first learned about it while living with the Taiyoukai, but until I saw it during my imprisonment I couldn’t have imagined how dangerous it is.”
He was silent, waiting for her to continue.
“They showed me a demonstration. Two Ningen soldiers were able to destroy a large stone wall, even though they were standing fifty yards away. From what I understand, it is a combustible powder that shoots a projectile when lit on fire. They also have a hand-held version, for close range killing.”
“They mean to use this against Youkai?”
She nodded. “Eventually. First they mean to use it to gain control of the Council of Great Families.”
His eyes narrowed. “So that’s what they’ve been up to. I was wondering why they have been so quiet.” The dots, everything Kaede had told him began to connect in his mind. “That is why they have been provoking the Youkai with these irritating borders raids and why they took you. A resumption of War to enable a power grab. They get revenge on the Council for the peace treaty and can try out their new toy.”
“Provoking War was the key way to persuade the Council to accept their control, though I have no doubt that they would use their weapon if you don’t cede willingly. They have no qualms with killing anyone who stands in their way.”
“You are probably correct. I’ve long had my suspicions about how General Akagawa came to control Harou Fukuguchi’s Council seat. His untimely demise was curiously close to the accidental death of his young heir’s uncle.” He stared at her, coolly assessing. She was no longer wearing the subjugation beads he had given Sesshoumaru, and he wondered what had caused their removal. She certainly had to possess skill and cunning to be able to escape Kurono and Akagawa, fake her death, and travel to the Sisterhood during one of the most brutal cold spells on record. He needed to know if she was worthy of his trust. “So here we are. I don’t need to tell you that we would prefer to prevent the renewal of War. Give me a reason why I shouldn’t take custody of you and turn you over to the Youkai. It seems that would solve our problems.”
Kaede held her hand up to silence Kagome. “With all due respect, my lord, I won’t let you,” she said.
Taka saw Miyamoto’s glower and quickly added, “It’s too dangerous. You yourself just acknowledged that Akagawa has influence on the Council. She has a better chance of safely getting into Youkai territory if she can go in secret.”
“The Youkai will listen to me,” Kagome said, trying to keep her voice strong. “If I’m killed before they can question me, they won’t take talk of a conspiracy seriously. They don’t trust Ningen.”
“They will listen to Kagome,” Taka said.
“You seem quite sure of that.” Miyamoto looked back and forth between Kagome and Taka and wondered if all of Lady Kaede’s prized pupils were so headstrong.
“You said the Council fears the Youkai declaring War. Do you still believe in peace?” asked Kagome. “You believed in it enough at one time to risk everything. The only thing that has changed is that Ningen treachery has shown its ugly face. The Youkai don’t want War. That I know. Let me go to them. Let me clear my name. I know I can stop a declaration of War.”
Miyamoto was thoughtful a moment. “That is a lot to pin on the shoulders of a lone Ningen woman whom the Youkai want dead.”
“You owe me,” Kagome said, suddenly angry. “Three months ago, you upended my life without my permission, all in the name of peace. Letting me go, trusting me to try to keep that peace is the least you can do for me.”
He nodded slowly. When the message came from Lord Sesshoumaru that Kagome was to answer for her role in the murder attempt of his father, Miyamoto refused to believe it. Kagome’s father, Hayate Higurashi, was the most noble, moral man he’d ever met and could not believe that his daughter would have had anything to do with murder. As Lady Kaede related everything she had learned, it all began to make sense, especially hearing that Kurono and Akagawa were involved. Kagome was confident and competent and worthy of his support. But he didn’t know if he could, in good faith, send the woman to what could likely be her death. Was it possible that their best chance to hold War at bay was again this impudent miko? How long would her luck last? “It will be dangerous. Are you prepared to go into enemy territory?”
“They aren’t my enemy.”
“Are you prepared to face execution?”
Execution. Kagome prayed it would not come to that, but in truth, she had no idea what the situation at the House of the West was like. “I am.”
“I’m told you wish to accompany her,” Miyamoto said, looking at Taka. “Are you prepared?”
“I am.”
“I don’t know if you two are brave or foolish,” he said.
Taka let a grin escape, but Kagome said quickly, “I would like to make two requests.”
Miyamoto nodded carefully. He remembered Kagome’s last minute demands at the treaty negotiations.
“Until you hear about our success or lack of it, don’t go to Kurono and Akagawa’s base of operations. Don’t try to take control of this weapon.”
“Why ever not?” he snapped. He was right to be suspicious; she was asking too much. “Inaction puts the Council in a very vulnerable place.”
“I’ve seen how deadly kayaku is. You’ll do best to combine forces with Youkai to defeat Kurono and Akagawa.”
“I don’t have a guarantee that that help is forthcoming.”
Kagome was not unappreciative of the huge leap of faith she was asking Miyamoto to take in telling him to sit on his hands while the Youkai were building armies and Kurono and Akagawa plotted in the shadows. “You do have a guarantee that if the Youkai find out that the Council has this weapon in their control, they will never lay down arms and War will become inevitable. I told you they don’t trust Ningen. I promise that they will be willing to talk if I return.”
Miyamoto sighed. He was torn between wanting to believe her and his duty to protect Ningen society. “What else do you want from me?”
“A document. Something that says the official position of the Council of Great Families is a commitment to continue the peace, that you have heard my story and support me. That you will not retaliate. That you will help them destroy kayaku. I need a document that says Ningen have an equal desire and intent to forsake War.”
“I cannot speak for the entire Council, but I will provide the papers with my personal seal, saying that I speak for the majority and it is our commitment to avoid War and not add to the escalation. This is the best I can do on my own, without calling a meeting. The rest of the Council doesn’t know about this weapon, but I know their position on a possible coup by Kurono and Akagawa.”
“That will do.” Kagome was afraid to let out her breath, so tense she was that he would change his mind and refuse.
“I’ll get the necessary documents to you by the end of the day.”
“Thank you.”
“Just stay alive,” he said. It seemed improbable that so much depended on the two young women in front of him. “I will meet with Furuki and Kitabashi to inform them of the plot and discuss how many of the rest of the Council members we should enlighten. We will do everything we can to protect you. How much time will you need? We cannot wait forever knowing that Kurono and Akagawa wish to wrest control from us.”
“A week,” Kagome said. “Give us a week.”
“A week?” Taka gasped increduoulsy. “Kagome, I’ve studied the maps. It’s at least a five-day journey in good weather and with no trouble. It’s winter and we are almost certain of encountering trouble. We will need two weeks at least.”
Miyamoto wanted to tell them they had as much time as they needed, but that was simply not the case. “You have ten days. Then I will have no choice but to move into Higurashi lands and attempt to seize this weapon.”
Ten days, Kagome thought. Ten days to get to the Western stronghold in one piece and convince them of her innocence, Okuri masterminded the attacks, and the Council still wants peace and will help defeat Kurono and Akagawa. “Ten days,” she agreed.
“You truly are your father’s daughter, Lady Kagome Higurashi. May the gods watch you both and keep you safe.”
Kagome tried on a smile; despite the immense pressure they would soon be under, she was relieved and hopeful. She prayed she would be worthy to live up to her father’s legacy.
XXXXX
Lord Okuri finished penning his message and rubbed his temples; anger was a constant companion when he was in the privacy of his quarters and more often than not, it manifested in an intense headache. He had fumed for days when he learned that his former Ningen allies had betrayed him by not killing Kagome as they had arranged. His hatred was compounded after Sesshoumaru announced a betrothal with Gina and not Azami. His meticulously laid plans, which had seemed so destined to succeed a week before, were falling apart. His cousin was not yet dead, Kagome was still alive, and the leadership of the House of the West was no closer to being in his grasp than it had in past decades.
He was not ready to give up however.
He had been in contact with several sympathetic families, the ones who voiced most loudly the distaste of a Ningen bride, and continued to cultivate support for his position, that of the rightful heir to Hisashi Inutaisho. This was done with the most innocent, impotent language—if any of the Taiyoukai learned of his plotting, his execution would be guaranteed. Foremost in his mind was the necessity to protect himself by silencing Kagome. It was logical that she would attempt to contact Sesshoumaru and explain the truth of what had happened at the hunt. He had a loyal servant monitoring the aviary to intercept any communication that came from Ningen territory, while he discretely searched for an assassin. In the meantime, he had to find a safe place to which to escape in the event the worst happened. To what degree, he contemplated, would those sympathetic families shelter him if they knew the extent of his involvement? Removing the Ningen bitch was a necessary evil; killing his cousin and allying with the enemy…unforgiveable treason and sacrilege. Yes, Kagome was expendable before, but now she was a direct threat. She needed to die. Only then could he be assured of his safety.
XXXXX
Leiko touched the still-tender knot at the top of her head, an unconscious gesture that she did every time she thought about Kagome Higurashi. She thought about Kagome a lot. Ever since they had heard of the incident at Hakone, her refrain was a constant warning that Kagome should not be assumed dead and they should still be out looking for her. Kurono and Akagawa only half-listened to her protests, preferring to bask in their certainty that victory was inevitable. She clutched the scroll in her fist as she knocked on the door to the generals’ meeting room. Being right tasted more bitter than sweet.
Kurono and Akagawa glanced up as she entered. “Leiko, how nice to see you,” Kurono said, a mild hint of sarcasm in his voice.
“I just received a letter from a friend I still have at the Shrine of the Miko Sisterhood.” Leiko paused until she had their full attention. “She tells me that not only is Kagome Higurashi alive and well, she has met with General Miyamoto. Kaede tried to keep her presence a secret, but news in that place spreads. She and another miko left two days ago to go to Youkai territory.”
“Interesting…but not unexpected. We knew of Kagome’s resourcefulness,” Akagawa said evenly. This turn of events had been a distinct possibility at the back of their minds. He traded glances with Kurono. “We can presume that she has told our dear friend Miyamoto all about kayaku, and yet he has not made a move toward us.”
“He is most likely biding his time,” Kurono said, “waiting to see what Kagome can accomplish. First, we need to double our guard and step up production. Get more hanyou slaves if we need to. As long as we have kayaku, we have the upper hand.”
Leiko shook her head forcefully. “Kagome must be prevented from reaching the West. That should be your priority. If she is able to tell the Youkai the truth, we can wave our plans goodbye.”
“Calm down,Leiko,” Akagawa said with a dismissive gesture. “Now that we know where she’s going, she will be easy to track and find. We’ll send our best men to kill her. She won’t make it to her destination.”
Leiko hated their continued patronizing tone and wondered how they had accomplished so much with the burden of their ignorance. “I told you from the beginning to kill her,” she spat. “What if she does make it there? How many times did I tell you not to underestimate her, but you continued to do so?”
“She’s right,” Kurono said. The miko’s shrill nagging of the past weeks had been more than irritating, but he had to admit that she had a point. “We have underestimated her in the past. Our next move could perhaps be the most critical.” He paused and stared at the pile of maps in the corner. Their options were limited since they had double-crossed Lord Okuri. “Our best course is to play on how the Youkai currently think of Kagome, as a traitor. Imagine, if you will, they learn she is coming but they believe she means to finish the job she left undone. The Youkai have spies around Ningen territory. I say we use them. And I think we also need to send word to the Youkai that Kagome is on her way. Time, I think, for Okashita to write a letter.”
“Clever,” Akagawa said, grinning deviously. “It may work. They may kill her themselves before she even has a chance to speak.”
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