InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Peace Treaty ❯ The Last Battle ( Chapter 55 )

For hours, the three figures crouched in the shadows of the tall pines and watched their enemies prepare for war. Mounted men, foot soldiers, wagons full of the smaller weapons, horses pulling the larger—all disappeared down the long, wide road over the course of the afternoon. Now the last formations of troops followed, leaving the once bustling yard a near-empty shell. Without a word, the three moved through the trees to the far end of the cleared land, where two large buildings stood apart from the rest of the compound. Each was guarded by two armed men, but the area was primarily deserted. So far everything was going according to design.

Kagome grinned at Taka. “Only two apiece, and we were assuming six. We could do this with our eyes closed.” She could feel the heat of Sesshoumaru's glare before she even turned to him. “Don't look at me like that.”

He shook his head. “I should have never agreed to this.”

“I know,” Kagome said. “I left you no choice. I am a horrible, ungrateful person who doesn't deserve you.” His face didn't change; she shouldn't have expected her weak attempt at humor to move him.

XXXXX

Three weeks earlier, representatives of the Four Houses of Taiyoukai converged at the House of the West. They were joined by two members of the Ningen Council of Great Families, Generals Furuki and Miyamoto. Though the first face-to-face meeting in hundreds of years had happened months before at the peace treaty negotiations, this was historic because of the nature of the topic. They were there to discuss the joining of Ningen and Youkai armies in order to remove the threat posed by a common enemy, a meeting without precedent.

To accommodate the parties, General Inutaisho order a five-sided table constructed and had it put in the largest hall in the manor. Seated around it were the leaders and their heirs and the Ningen generals with their commanders. Crowded into the room were other senior military officers, spy masters, advisors, and additional important figures. Kagome stood behind Sesshoumaru, as was proper, but General Miyamoto raised an eyebrow when Taka took her place next to Kagome instead of with the other Ningen.

“Perhaps,” General Inutaisho said, once formal introductions had been made, “we should begin with our Ningen counterparts updating us on the status of the Council and Kurono and Akagawa's attempted coup.”

General Furuki cleared his throat and spoke. “Since the testament of Lady Kagome and capture of their conspirator, Kurono and Akagawa can no longer use Youkai aggression and the vulnerability of the peace treaty as tools to gain control of the Council. We have expelled Lord Okashita as an informer and stripped Akagawa of his guardianship of Lord Fukuguchi's grandson, both removing his stand-in Akeno Hino from the Council and ending his control of the Fukuguchi mines. We have also interrupted their supply lines from overseas. Though they command a rather large army, they are cut off, with no important allies. They are isolated and desperate.”

“They must know they have no hope,” said Lord Noboru. “Is there any chance that they will destroy this weapon in exchange for disarming and life under house arrest?”

“That is unacceptable,” Sesshoumaru said. “They killed dozens of Youkai in cold blood, tried to assassinate my father, and kidnapped my mate. Surrender for execution is the only possible alternative to war.”

“And what of Lord Okuri and his followers?” asked General Suzaku. “Do we have your assurances that these succession disputes in the West are at an end? The vulnerability of one House is to the detriment of all.”

“My cousin,” General Inutaisho said, “is rotting in a cell. He will stay there until Kurono and Akagawa are captured, at which point all three will be executed together.” Sesshoumaru had wanted to kill him days ago, but Seiobo told them to wait, that if he were to stand next to his accomplices, any Youkai who thought sympathetically of his motivations would be reminded that his deceit went beyond the old rivalry of Hisashi's grandsons and threatened all of Youkai society. The General looked over his shoulder at his mate. As usual, her counsel and skill at diplomacy were priceless. In more ways than one. “His supporters will find their cause lost. His daughter Azami has been betrothed to Lord Haruto, the next leader of the House of the South. That and the fact that my son will have his own heir before next winter will put to rest any disagreements about the line of succession in the House of the West.”

Kagome blushed when Miyamoto and Furuki turned to her with surprised glances. Lady Seiobo had told the Taiyoukai —with a proud, ecstatic air that bordered on gloating—about her expected grandchild when they arrived for the summit. The Ningen generals, who had only come the night before, had not had an opportunity to hear the glad tidings. Kagome knew it was impossible to keep the news a secret, but she had hoped that her pregnancy would not be brought up at the meeting. She was confident in the course of action she was going to propose, but her advancing pregnancy would be a sticking point. Fortunately, the discussion quickly returned to the matter at hand.

General Inutaisho gestured to the huge map that was spread out across the table. The detail was meticulous, delineating tree cover, rivers and streams, roads and game trails, settlements, borders, and impassable landscape. He leaned forward and placed a wooden marker on it. “They are here. Through Higurashi family lands run two forks of the Teshio River. Kurono and AKagawa's base of operations surrounds the area of the manor, which is here.” He leaned forward and placed another on the map. “It is bordered by the east fork, which is deep and fast right now from snow melt—a situation that will only get worse with continued warmer temperatures. Heavily forested lands surround it on the other sides. And the west fork, here, prevents access from the north. For now, this road,” he traced a line toward the wood pieces, “is the only way to get near them. It spans the Teshio here. This bridge is the only crossing for miles. They couldn't ask for an easier place to defend.”

“No hopes of luring them out?” asked Lord Sawaki, the chief of intelligence for the Ryouyoukai.

“They would be fools to abandon their position. We take the battle to them.” He placed three more tokens on the map. “Youkai troops have been amassed here and here. They have been ready to march for the past month. If we meet the Ningen army here, we can be at their doorstep within two weeks.”

Furuki nodded. “We will combine our armies and cross Ningen lands together. It will show that the peace treaty is still strong. We are willing to fight together and willing to die together.”

“Kurono and Akagawa are aware of the hopelessness of their position, though I cannot see them surrendering,” Miyamoto said. “I imagine their goal now is to inflict as much damage as possible. Over the decades they fought, that has always been their primary objective.”

“And how much damage is that exactly?” Lord Seiryu asked. “We outnumber them, to be sure, but no one knows how kayaku will change the game. Is it possible they can still win?”

“In all honesty, the only bright side I see,” Furuki said, “is that they have not used it in battle yet, so tactically they are operating an untested weapon, something we can acknowledge as a point in our favor.”

General Suzaku nodded slowly, reality sinking in. “By now we have all heard what Lady Kagome said about the demonstration she was shown. Swordsmen are at great risk. This weapon has a longer range than arrows, and given the large size of the projectile, lack of accuracy will not be an issue. Even with little strategy and less discipline, the losses on our side will still be severe.”

The Taiyoukai and Ningen seated around the table regarded each other with trepidation. It was a given that the last battle of the War with No End would be bloody, but they were all confident in victory. No one wanted to admit the opposite was possible.

“How much of this weapon do they have available?” asked Lady Nekoko, eager to get back on track. “They can no longer import raw materials. Are their supplies exhaustible?”

“I believe Lady Kagome can best answer that,” Lady Inoue said.

Kagome stepped forward. “I made contact with one of the miko who had allied with Kurono and Akagawa while I was there,” she said. “Hiroko has since returned to the Shrine of the Miko Sisterhood. We've been writing and she has given me invaluable information. She told me that Kurono and Akagawa have enough of the instruments, bamboo tubes and large weaponry, to arm their entire force and then some, but only enough black powder to last for a limited number of days. She said when she left they were working nonstop to manufacture as much as they could in preparation for an impending attack.”

“It would be nice to know how much they are able to produce with the materials they have on hand,” Nekoko said. She looked at her curiously; the Ningen woman seemed equal parts eager and apprehensive. “Did this miko perhaps mention that?”

“She did not. But it really does not change the situation,” Kagome said, shaking her head. “We must strike quickly. As soon as possible.”

“How much time do we have?” Lord Byakku, who had been sitting back listening intently, spoke up. “It would be ideal if we could wait for reinforcements from Nantai. We've had a report that this early spring has near cleared the mountain passes already. The Teshio won't be swollen forever and we would have other options for passage than marching straight up that road and into their trap.”

“And wait for the enemy to increase their production?” Lord Noboru said. “The addition of Commander Shiratori's troops won't matter if waiting just means they are able to kill more of us.”

Kagome cleared her throat. “I think there is a way to avoid heavy casualties.” All attention again was on Kagome. She steeled herself and continued. “If we can destroy their weapon before it can be used, we can increase the chances of victory. Hiroko told me that the black powder is behind in production. They had an accident in which many people died and the supplies were damaged. You have said the supply lines have been disrupted. But as we have established, we don't know how much they already have. I say we get there as soon as possible and destroy the rest before it can be made and used. They have enough to wage battle for less than a few days. What if we could guarantee that was all they had?”

“How?” Nekoko asked, trying to cover her wide grin. “Is that even possible?”

“The black powder is now being stored in two large buildings at the far end of the compound. They were set apart and the local spring was diverted to them.” Kagome paused to gauge the reaction. The faces appeared receptive. She had her first idea of a possible tactic as she and Taka traveled toward the stronghold, while she feverishly recalled the flash of fire before pain tore through her side. If a small bit of black powder burned up so quick and deadly, what would happen to a very large amount? When Hiroko gave her information about its production, the plan took shape in her mind and the more she thought about it, the clearer it became. “They are terrified of fire.”

“Ah,” Sesshoumaru said. “It's combustible. I think we can deduce the nature of the accident.”

Kagome nodded. “That's how the black powder works. One spark is all it will take. We won't even have to worry about the bamboo tubes or metal balls. Take away the powder and the weapon is worthless.”

“I see,” said Sawaki. “And you are certain about this information?”

“I am,” Kagome replied. “I trust everything she told me. And the information is less than a week old.”

“How do you propose we provide the spark?” Byakku asked. “The area is heavily guarded.”

“A small group sneaks in and lights the storage buildings on fire.”

“But how will this small group gain access?” General Inutaisho asked. “And once inside the compound, how will this sabotage occur?” He could feel waves of disapproval begin to spread from his son seated next to him.

“I don't doubt that there are patrols, but their attention will be focused on the large army moving up the road. Every soldier will be manning the front lines, constructing barricades and towers. They won't be looking for two miko sneaking through the forest. I know the area, the secret caves and passages. Once in, Taka and I—”

“Stop right there,” Sesshoumaru interrupted, turning toward his mate. “You can't possibly mean that you—”

“That's exactly what I mean.” Kagome hoped she successfully navigated the line between standing firm and disobedience. “It is our best chance.”

“No. It's too dangerous.”

“It's worth the risk. And not even that risky. As I was saying, Taka and I will use arrows tipped with oil. We will channel our miko energy into the arrows before we let them fly. It will set whatever it hits ablaze, and the buildings and everything in them will be nothing but ash and smoke. We won't even have to get that close.”

“You'll excuse us.” Sesshoumaru rose, grabbed hold of Kagome's upper arm, and led her out of the hall. Once they were alone in a different room, Sesshoumaru stopped and stared at her. Though there was a noticeable spark of respect in her eye as she faced him, she was entirely unrepentant. She looked as stubborn as she ever had. “No. I forbid it.”

Kagome anticipated at least a high level of difficulty from her mate and she was grateful he hadn't chosen to argue with her in front of the assembly, though she wondered if part of that was because he knew that she would not back down. “I thought we had gotten past you acting like you can control me.” She softened her tone. “Sesshoumaru, this is the only way to ensure success.”

“I don't disagree. Removal of their advantage is an excellent strategy, provided it will work like you've described. But you are not going.”

“I know the land. I have been to the compound. If I were any other member of the troops, you wouldn't hesitate—”

“Kagome,” he said, his voice rising in exasperation, “for the love of the gods, you are pregnant.”

“A fact, my love, that I haven't forgotten, which is why beginning this soon is so critical. My only physical limitation right now is an occasional need to throw up. I won't be able to say that much longer. We don't have the time to argue.”

He stared at her, incensed. “You are serious. I can't believe you are serious.”

“Very. I think I've more than proven I have equal skill of anyone here. I can handle this.”

“Why not send the miko who had been there, the one you spoke of?”

“No,” Kagome replied. “Leiko has sympathizers at the Sisterhood. Lady Kaede can't trust that they won't find out and inform her of our intentions. And besides, waiting for her to come here would waste too much time.” She was encouraged by his arguing logically instead of simply stating no. “Your aura is no longer in me. The miko remaining there will not be able to sense me.” She put up a hand to stop the protest that was at his lips. “The child's Youki is still weak, barely discernable. And that is another reason why we cannot wait. The baby's Youki will only get stronger.”

“Is this why you wanted to wait for me to mark you again?” He had broached the subject several days before, when Kagome seemed fully recovered from her injuries. She told him she wanted to wait, and despite her reassurances that it was only for a little while, her refusal cut through his pride. That she had subterfuge as a motive turned his hurt feelings to the point of anger. “When did you stop being honest with me?”

She smiled sadly and put her arms around his neck. “Just another few weeks. Then you can bite me as much as you want.”

He gathered her close and breathed in her scent. She was asking so much. “Kagome, I almost lost you forever. I can't take that thought of you in harm's way again.”

“Sesshoumaru, I've not had an easy, risk-free life in years. Besides…giving birth puts me in harm's way. This is reality we live in. Our child deserves a world in which the societies of his parents can exist in peace. Real peace, not just a scrap of paper. Don't worry. I won't take any unnecessary risks.”

“Miko,” he sighed, “this whole idea is an unnecessary risk.”

Kagome's face blossomed into a grin. “That's the first time you've called me miko since the day I was taken.”

He was confused at her reaction. “I didn't know you liked it.”

“I hated it at first…thought you were mocking me. But I've come to realize it's the closest thing to a term of endearment that I'm likely to hear from you.”

He laughed softly. “I can't believe I'm going to agree to this.” She tightened her arms around him in thanks. “But only on the condition that I accompany you.”

XXXXX

The plan, crafted through the afternoon and late into the night, was simple—a two-pronged attack and sabotage. There were few variables to account for, the most contentious had to do with which of the numerous generals would be given the command and Kagome and Sesshoumaru arguing about the extent of her participation. The Youkai and Ningen armies would meet and combine, then march on Higuarshi lands. Kurono and Akagawa would by then be well-entrenched and ready to defend at the bridge over the Teshio River. As the joint force neared, Kagome, Sesshoumaru, and Taka would split away and go through forested lands to the compound, where they would hide until the heard the battle begin. Then Sesshoumaru would attack the rear of the enemy guard, and Taka and Kagome would destroy the stores of weapons that Kagome was so confident were vulnerable. Unable to replenish their supply, Kurono and Akagawa would be overwhelmed by the superior numbers of the combined force and the War would be over.

This particular strategy hinged on two things—that the majority of Kurono and Akagawa's stores of black powder was in the buildings Hiroko described and that Kagome and Taka would be able to destroy them. Without both of those, the combined Ningen and Youkai army, despite overwhelming numbers, would face death against the enemy's weapon or retreat. Neither option was discussed that evening.

XXXXX

In the distance the first sounds of battle, shouts and horns and the ring of metal, could be faintly heard. It was time to put the next phase into motion.

“My sign to go.” Sesshoumaru placed a cool hand on Kagome's cheek. “Be careful.”

She covered his hand with her own. “I promise.” She moved to kiss him. “You too. Be careful. I love you.”

Sesshoumaru held her a moment before moving, quickly and silently, toward the sounds of the far-off din. Kagome watched until he disappeared into the trees, white silk vivid in the dim light. The look of unhappiness on his face made her feel miserably guilty. She knew how leaving her at edge of the battleground warred with his instincts to keep her safe. “I hope he can forgive one day,” she whispered. Their relationship had been different—not hostile but strained—since the meeting. Kagome told herself, again and again, that it would be better, back to normal, once the War was over for good. They would return to the manor, he would mark her, and they would spend the rest of the year preparing for the birth of their first child…chewing over names, constantly correcting the other for saying “pup” or “baby”. But part of her, haunted by the heavy sadness in his eyes, was terrified that she was crafting a beautiful lie.

“He's just scared,” Taka said. She recognized in Kagome the worries that troubled her when they traveled together. She also saw the way Sesshoumaru looked at her—the pride and admiration and trust. “He's already forgiven you, and right now we can't afford to be distracted.”

Before Kagome could answer, the near-quiet was split by new sounds of violence, a crack and echoing boom. They were using kayaku. “From far off it sounds like thunder,” she said. There was another loud, percussive sound, and another and another. Her stomach dropped. She wondered how many had died already.

Taka touched her bow and sword, reassured that she was fully armed. “Ready?”

Kagome nodded once and focused. “Let's go.”

They left the safety of their hiding place and crept the remaining distance to the edge of the trees. The buildings loomed large and had several long open windows near the roof. They women needed to get close in order to see the inside and get a visual of where to aim their arrows for the maximum damage. It did no good if they did not hit anything that would catch fire. But first they needed to take out the guards. They ran from the cover of the forest into the open air, straight to a pile of masonry. Just as they began to move, Taka grabbed Kagome's arm.

“Wait,” she whispered. “Can you feel that?”

Kagome paused and blanched. The smell had been unfamiliar until only recently, but she recognized it now. “The hanyou slaves. Oh gods. We can't just shoot. We have to get them out.” Panic edged her voice. The plan couldn't fall apart this easily.

“Kagome, it's okay. Nothing has really changed. Our next move is still to kill the guards.” She had to force her thinking as a miko to change. She wasn't attacking other Ningen; she was attacking her enemies. It was easier when she remembered back to Kurono and Akagawa's men trying to kill them, when she thought of Kagome's blood on her hands as she fought to stop her bleeding. “There are still only four of them outside, but we must be prepared for more inside. We can handle this.”

Kagome took a deep breath and willed herself to calm. “I'll take the building on the right.”

Taka nodded. “Go.”

They snuck up behind the buildings and easily dispatched the guards, who were anxious about the battle unfolding a mile away and not expecting to have to fight. They peered through the cracked door of the building on the right. Inside were three additional guards. Whips in hand, they were keeping watch over the several dozen slaves busy at work. The hanyou, chained by the ankle to each other, were seated at long tables. They worked with an assortment of objects—mortar and pestles, scales, measuring implements, and an array of containers. The information that Hiroko gave to Kagome seemed to be good.

“I can see three,” Taka said. “I'll go in first and take out the one nearest the door. That will draw the other two closer.”

“They shouldn't be a problem. Intimidating bound slaves is a world away from fighting under pressure.”

“As long as they don't raise the alarm.”

“Well let's be quick and careful then.”

Taka pushed the doors open and strolled through like she owned them. The first guard barely looked at her, since they were used to seeing miko about the compound. “Shouldn't you be with Kurono at the—” The question died in his throat as Taka sunk her knife into his windpipe. By then, the attention of the other two was on the scene near the door. They hurried to where Taka stood, only to have Kagome, armed with a sword, suddenly appear in the yawning opening. They were dead before they could say a word.

Kagome surveyed the room and released a held breath. There were no other guards. “We're here to free you,” she said as loudly as she dared. “No doubt you've heard that an army is poised to attack. It is a joint force of Ningen and Youkai, here to bring down your captors. Are there the same number of guards in the next building?” At first there was only shocked silence, but after a moment a general murmur of relief swept through the warehouse.

A hanyou near Taka and Kagome spoke up. “There are usually only two. The group in the other building is mostly children.”

Kagome glanced at Taka. “I'll go. Hopefully the dead men have the keys to these chains.”

“I'll manage,” Taka said. “Go free the children.”

Kagome slipped through the doorway and back into the shadows. She heard a guard cursing inside and adjusted the grip on her sword. The door to the second building was shut tight, so she peered through the slats of wood to discern the position of the guards. They were on either side of the building, neither near the door. Kagome hesitated to charge inside, worried that they may use the young slaves as shields. She briefly considered screaming Fire, but thought better of it when she realized if there was a general panic, she would not be able to control the situation. So, lacking any other ideas, she walked up to the door and pounded on it. Several moments later, the door swung open and a soldier appeared.

“What now? I told you this would take longer than they said it would.” He looked around, confused. There was no one there. “Hey,” he said, stepping out. “Where—”

Kagome stepped from the shadows and drove the hilt of her sword into his temple. He went down without a sound. Before she could turn the other guard was running at her, sword drawn. She got hers up just in time to deflect his strike. “You. You're the one who escaped,” he grinned. “Won't Akagawa be pleased when I bring you to him.”

“I don't think pleased is the correct word,” Kagome said.

He circled around her slowly, occasionally thrusting and blocking all her attempts to engage. He was toying with her.

“I don't have time for this.” Kagome pressed hard, getting inside the guard's defenses. He tried to use his brute strength to push her back, but she soon had him off balance. It was over after that. Kagome rushed inside. The building was full of hanyou children. Most of them were busy at work, deftly pouring black powder into small tubes. The few older children were packing crates. When they saw Kagome, covered with blood spray and breath heaving, the younger ones shrieked and hid under the tables.

Kagome quickly sheathed her sword. “It's alright. I'm here to get you out, but everyone has to stay calm. Okay?”

The children didn't budge. “Where are the guards?” one of the older hanyou asked. “They'll kill us if we move.”

“The gurads can't hurt you anymore, I promise,” Kagome answered. “Get up and come with me.”

“Where are we going?” another of the adolescents challenged. She strode over to where a group of younger hanyou were huddled crying. “You are scaring the little ones.”

Kagome wondered if Taka had such suspicion with the adults. “I'm going to take you into the woods for now, until the fighting is done. There is an army here fighting Kurono and Akagawa. After that you go back to your parents.”

The protective girl scoffed. “My parents are dead. They killed them for not moving fast enough. Why should we trust you? Are we just going to be slaves for the other army?”

“My parents are dead too,” another one said. “The guards told them they were going to be part of a test, but then they never came back. What's going to happen if we go with you?”

Kagome's eyes filled with tears. She was reminded of herself, years ago when she was afraid to trust any adult. “I'm here to free you. No more slavery, no more hurting you or your families. My friend is at the other building letting the adults go.”

“How are we supposed to trust you? The other miko left the guards beat us.”

“I'm not like them. We are going to leave this building and stick together and go into the forest. Then my friend and I are going to set this place on fire.” That got their attention.

“You know what will happen?” the protective girl said, a wicked grin on her face.

Kagome nodded. “Can you help me get the little ones out safely? Can I trust you?” Kagome helped a few hanyou children out the door, then ran to the next warehouse. The adults were streaming out, and when they saw the children, they ran over and helped the rest out.

“We need to get into the cover of the forest now,” Taka announced. “Soon this will all be up in flames, so you need to get as far away as possible.” She turned to Kagome with a grin. “Took you long enough. Problem?”

Kagome shook her head. “Those poor children.”

“I know,” Taka said. “As soon as this is over, I'm going to speak with General Furuki about safe places to resettle them.”

There was a loud crash, louder and closer than the distant booms that had been in the background since shortly after the fighting started. This noise came from nearby. Fear, bitter and hot, rose in Kagome's throat. “Sesshoumaru.” She glanced at Taka. “Get them into the thick of the forest. I need to go. I'll be back.”

“Kagome…” Taka nodded. It was pointless to try to argue. “I'll be ready and waiting.”

Kagome ran in the direction Sesshoumaru had gone, praying that he was not the target of the blow that made the noise. Unbidden, the memory of the obliterated wall and Kurono's gloating face itched at the back of her mind. Even the most powerful Youkai to ever live could not hope to survive such a blow. She drew her sword again and ran faster.

She crossed the main part of the yard, and the closer she got to the road, the thicker and more acrid the smoke became. It choked her throat and stung her eyes. Kagome put an arm over her mouth and slowed her steps. She scanned the area in front of her, searching for a sign of Sesshoumaru. There were bodies everywhere. A strip of white cloth sticking out from a pile of rubble caught her eye and she froze in place. “No.” She rushed to the debris and realized that the white silk was a fragment of a banner, not a piece of clothing. She sighed with relief and got up. The clash of metal on metal drew her on, deeper into the smoke.

Suddenly he was there, not fifty yards in front of her, fighting five soldiers at once. The deadly power he wielded was mesmerizing, his speed and grace as he killed. Kagome was transfixed for a moment, then she saw another group of at least twenty soldiers running back down the road toward them. Some were armed with the hand-held version of the weapon. She ran to join the fight, but before Kagome could get closer, Leiko stepped out from the side of a building, blocking the way.

“Now where do you think you're going?” she said, drawing her sword. “He fights like nothing I've ever seen, but I would like to watch what he can do against more interesting odds.”

Kagome knew Sesshoumaru would be fine for at least a little while and she could afford to buy a bit of time. “Leiko, it's over. Leave this place and surrender to Lady Kaede. She'll treat you fairly.”

“Sorry, a life wearing subjugation beads doesn't interest me,” Leiko said. “The rest left already. Once Hiroko abandoned us, the others didn't take long.” She stopped and stared. “Your aura, that demon aura, it's changed. Hanyou…,” she said, her eyes growing wide, “you're pregnant, aren't you?”

Kagome nodded and her hand went reflexively down to her belly. “It is the future, Leiko. I'm here with Taka. Come with us. We'll take you back to the Sisterhood. You don't belong here.”

“Don't tell me where I belong. You live with Youkai, our sworn enemy. How can you still call yourself a miko?”

“The Earth never intended for his children to fight for all eternity. He created miko to establish balance. We will always be needed.”

“Spare me the philosophy,” Leiko spat. “The two of us are so much alike. Same age within a month. Same size, same fighting style, same strengths. If you had never been offered up as a bride, if you would have watched from the sidelines as the Council sold us out, you would be next to me, fighting against Youkai.”

“You're right about us being alike…we should have been friends. But I would not have fought against peace. I saw my mother and brother brutally killed, little more than an arm's reach away. I could smell their blood and felt their screams ring in my bones. Even after all that, I've never wanted revenge. Becoming a miko was about protecting others. And I know this peace is the best way to protect us.”

“Look at him,” Leiko said, with a quick nod in Sesshouamru's direction. “Do you honestly believe Ningen are safe from him? Kurono and Akagawa may be corrupt idiots, but they won't sell our people out to Youkai who will enslave or murder us all.”

“Kurono and Akagawa are monsters. They will destroy Ningen society.” Kagome spared a glance toward her mate. He was still easily holding back the Ningen soldiers, killing all who came too close. “Leiko, he's my husband. He hasn't mistreated me. He wants peace for both races. He wants a safe future for our child as much as I do.”

“He's…” She trailed off, uncertain. Fighting slowed. “I hated you so much at the Sisterhood.”

“Why?”

“Because—” Suddenly she jerked and a bright blossom of red bloomed on her white shirt. “Because…”

Kagome caught her as she fell and eased her back. “Leiko, hold still. Let me see if I can stop the bleeding.”

Leiko held her hand. “No. It's better this way,” she sighed. “Must have been a shot gone astray. I watched them practice. Hardly any of them had a decent aim.” She laughed bitterly. “Men are such fools. Kagome, I hated you because I didn't think you deserved to be a miko. My entire village had been massacred a month before I arrived at the Sisterhood. I saw an infant burn to death in her home…my sister.” She paused and coughed. “I was so full of anger. Kaede saw how hurting I was and told me to find you. That we were the same age and you had only been there a few months. I found you talking with some other girls. One fo them said something about how evil Youkai were, and you immediately stood up and said that Ningen were just as evil. I decided then that we would never be friends. I, of course, didn't know what had happened to you, but by the time I did, it was too late. You were Kaede's Pet Kagome and my rival.

You're right. We should have been friends.” She pulled her hands away. “Kagome, I `m dying. You're right. You were the whole time. I thought evil Ningen were better than any Youkai…tell me I was mistaken. Promise me.”

“I promise. They aren't evil. They want to be left to live in peace.”

Leiko nodded and smiled before she died.

Kagome blinked back tears and got up. She turned back to where Sesshoumaru had been fighting, with the intention of helping, but he had killed all but a handful, who were running back to the road. Kagome ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. “I was worried. There were so many.”

“Kagme, what are you doing here? What happened to the plan. You have blood all over your hands.”

+

“The buildings were full of hanyou workers. We killed the guards, and Taka is taking the slaves to the forest. I heard an explosion and I was afraid you were hurt.”

“I'm fine. Are you okay? You have blood all over your hands.”

She nodded. “We need to get out of here and back to the warehouses before they send more troops.”

“I'm going with you.”

When they returned to Taka, she was waiting. “Any trouble?” Kagome asked.

“A couple guards who were standing sentry found us in the forest, but the hanyou are taking care of them.” She pulled her bow and grinned at Kagome. “Ready?”

“I'll take the one on the right.” Kagome notched an arrow to her bow. “Notch, Draw.” Their eyes and fingers began to glow. “Loose.”

The arrows sailed toward the buildings and through the open windows. There was a bright pink glow. A striking moment of silence was followed by first one loud crash, then a second. Then the air was filled with noise. Powerful crashes. Wood slats blew out. Then fire. It began with a small orange glow, but within seconds, a great warm whoosh filled the air and the buildings were consumed by flame. They retreated to the edge of the forest to watch. Fire began with a small orange glow, then within seconds … From their vantage point they could see the few people who remained at the compound rushing back, only to be repelled by the heat of the fire and continued explosions.

“They're trapped,” Sesshoumaru said. “I need to go rejoin the fighting.” He laid a finger against Kagome's lips. “You are staying here. I don't know how fierce the fighting is yet and I'll not have you in the thick of it. Stay here and protect the hanyou.”

Kagome didn't want to be left behind, but she had sworn to him that once the black powder was destroyed, she would back off. “Come back as soon as you can. Stay safe.”

“Always.” DON”T LET HER DO ANYTHING STUPID

As they walked back to where Taka left the hanyou, Kagome began to cry. Tkaa held her. “There now. I was afraid of this. The long march, all this stress.” I HATE NOT KNOWING YOU NEVER WERE CONTENT WITHOUT BEING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ACTION SOUNDS IN THE BACKGROUND

“I saw Leiko. She's dead I rpromised her that it would be okay. That we would be able to coexist in peace.”

XXXXX

Hours later, Sesshoumaru came back for them. The fighting was over. The Youkai and Ningen army had taken heavy losses, but when Kurono and AKagawa's troops learned that their supply ran out of black powder, the tides turned. When the few remaining soldiers surrendered, Kurono and AKagawa were gone.

“Should you be out with them looking for them?”

“I should be here with you. Kouga is an excellent tracker.”

Walked back to yard. Still smoldering. “I want to reclaim this place. I turned my back on it. Rebuild, replant the orchard. Laid head on belly two heartbeats. I have one too youknow. And Gina said the placenta makes its own sound.