InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Pride (In the Name of Love) ❯ Chapter 127

Pride (In the Name of Love) 127 / ??
Written by Jezz-Ra
Warnings - Not all warnings apply to all chapters. Yaoi, Het, Rape, Lemon, Violence, Language, Torture, Angst, Incest, Dark (at times). It's a massive story, folks, it's got a little bit of everything.
Disclaimer - I don't own Inuyasha, don't make money off it. Wish I did.

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// blah // indicates thoughts.

A/N - This...is an author's note. I'm sure something wonderful should go here, but...alas, I have nothing of import to say. Of course, I'll remember something I should mention as soon as I send the chapter out...oh well....
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Ginta stared slack-jawed at Sesshoumaru. "Wh-what?!"

Sesshoumaru sighed. "You heard me. Your king suffered an unfortunate accident and has been rendered a child again. It is, of course, imperative that those in your tribe that would cause trouble upon hearing this knowledge must not be made aware of it...but also, too, something must be done else they will go suspicious at his unannounced and continued absence. We are working to correct this issue."

Ginta and Hakkaku exchanged glances before nodding. "What do you want us to do, Lord Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru frowned and steepled his fingers, thinking. "I know you two are loyal to Kouga, and so I can trust you will not do anything that might harm him or his position."

Ginta nodded. "And letting the elders know he is unfit to lead would assuredly harm him. We won't say anything."

Hakkaku scowled. "But what is it you want us to do?"

Sesshoumaru considered for a moment before speaking. "I do not enjoy the concept of bringing others into this conflict, nor do I wish for word to spread. Therefore, I will be placing a good deal of trust in you. If I find this trust to be abused, I assure you, you will not live to regret it."

Both of the wolf demons straightened up and nodded seriously. Sesshoumaru continued.

"With the capture of my Lord Father, the West has been overthrown." Sesshoumaru closed his eyes. It was more painful to say those words than he cared to admit. He heard Ginta and Hakkaku's startled intake of breath, and his eyes snapped open. "My mother is now in charge of these lands and I am merely a puppet until I find a way to free my Lord Father."

"So...what do you want us to do?" Hakkaku asked hesitantly.

"You two will serve me and keep the army under my control. I will arrange to speak with your elders and inform them that Kouga is on a personal mission for me. Should anything come up that should normally require his attention, I will deal with it personally. You two were appointed by him and myself to voice my orders and his in his absence."

"I see..."

Sesshoumaru sighed. "I do not know much of the inner workings of your pack. Essentially, you both are to answer to me regarding the issues of castle and border security...but until Kouga's return, you will act in his place as alpha of your pack. The elders will assume your orders are from Kouga and will not grumble too loudly."

"But...but we can't take over Kouga's position!"

"Yeah, we couldn't beat down ALL the others..."

"You won't have to fight for it at all. You merely need to keep the act up until we can get him back to normal. Also...you are to follow any orders given by my mother, but you are to inform me of them as soon as possible...or send a discreet messenger should you be unable to come in person. Ultimately, I cannot let her have full control of my army. I am putting you two in a dangerous position...but it is the only one I can come up with that will allay suspicions as to Kouga's whereabouts as well as keep him in charge with as little turmoil as possible."

The two wolves saluted smartly. "Yes, sire."

Sesshoumaru nodded. "Good. You are both dismissed. Do not come to me unless it is an emergency. I will be trusting you to keep the wolf pack under control."

Sesshoumaru smiled slightly after they left and lightly stroked his mokomoko. Oh, but it felt so good to have it back... // Those two aren't as stupid as they act half the time. Between them they should be able to keep the wolves at bay, and they are loyal enough that I should be able to keep the military under control WITHOUT their general or Inuyasha and without drawing attention from my mother. Good. One problem down. //

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Kagome had ordered Chinese takeout for dinner, and it proved to be a smashing success. After dinner, she announced that she was going to be heading to the mall - they would need some things if they were all going to be living together for an unknown amount of time. Rin automatically offered to help, and Kagome was more than happy to take her up on that. She looked towards Miroku, thinking a second set of helping hands would be good, but was surprised when none other than Naraku volunteered.

"Well...I kinda figured it'd be easier if just us human types went..." Kagome hedged.

"The only revealing feature about me is my eyes, my dear priestess, and you have given me these sunglasses already to cover them. I otherwise appear human. I assure you, I will cause no trouble. I simply wish to see what else this world of yours has to offer."

Kagome - and Inuyasha and Miroku - were all about to deny that Naraku should go anywhere without someone around that might stand a chance against him in a fight, but Naraku got a surprising vote of support from Sairex.

"Eh, take him vith you, Lady Priestess. He vill not cause you any trouble."

Inuyasha squinted at Sairex. "You know that that is, y'know, Naraku..."

"I'm avare of dat. However...I'm going to draw my own line in da zand about dis, zo to zpeak. Da Naraku you all know of days gone past is gone, and cannot return. It is literally impossible, unless I vere to restore da gap in his mind."

Naraku shrugged a bit. "And I have no desire to have that gap restored, regardless. I am...largely content. I feel as if life has become much simpler and more enjoyable."

"Vhile it is true dat his absorbing Zetsukosei remains zometing dat ve need to keep under careful observation...even vere da dragon to rise, he could not do it yet. He is veakened from our fight. Zo let him go and enjoy da vorld a bit, and quit harassing him zo much for da tings he did in his past life. He now has a lesser capability for evil dan any of us."

Inuyasha opened and shut his mouth a few times before sighing. "Yeah, fine..." Slowly he glanced over at Naraku. "I...am sorry for being so...rude...lately. I guess."

Naraku eyed Inuyasha for a moment before handing his glasses to Kagome. Before the hanyou could react he swooped over and wrapped his arms around Inuyasha's waist, lifting him off the ground in something of a twirl. "I knew you didn't hate me!"

"I CHANGED MY MIND! PUT ME DOWN! GOD DAMMIT!"

Kouga squinted at Naraku and then walked over. The kumo let out a startled yelp as he suddenly got bitten on the back of his calf. He dropped the squirming hanyou and looked down at Kouga.

The angry little wolf glared up at him. "Mine!"

Several sets of eyes blinked in unison, although before anyone could laugh, Kouga received an angry slap from Aliana.

"You can't!"

Kouga squinted angrily and rubbed his cheek. "Why not?"

Aliana pouted, tears welling up in her big yellow eyes. "Cause...cause Lady Rin said girls need to grow up and marry handsome princes and...and...its all in the book! You have to marry me!"

Kouga blinked. "But...but you cant marry me! I hate girls!"

"The book SAYS SO!"

Inuyasha turned to look at Rin. Rin blinked, eyes wide. "She's right...girls are supposed to grow up and marry handsome princes and live in fabulous castles and live happily ever after." Rin paused to consider this. "I suppose Lord Sesshoumaru is technically a prince, even if we call him Lord instead..."

Ali nodded smugly. "And you're the only one my age."

Kouga frowned. "But I'm not a prince, I'm a king and kings are better."

Inuyasha twitched. "I don't know if I'm supposed to laugh until I cry about this or get all defensive that someone is trying to steal my mate..."

Miroku leaned over and nudged Sairex. "What do a raven and a wolf make, exactly?"

Sairex blinked and then shook his head. "I'd really rather not tink about tings like dat any time in da next...er...five or zix hundred years, at least, if dat's all da zame vith you."

Kagome chuckled and just shook her head. // God...what a crazy, mixed up bunch of friends I ended up with... and I wouldn't trade them for the world. // "Alright, alright...hehe...Naraku, you can come with Rin and I. We'll bring back some clothes and some stuff for all of you, alright?"

Inuyasha scowled. "Why can't I go?"

"Because you never keep your hat on and I don't care to explain why you have puppy ears. Besides...that red thing you wear all the time sticks out too much...and so does your hair."

Inuyasha looked deflated, and each word make him more and more resemble a kicked puppy.

Naraku smiled. "Inuyasha, you take it the wrong way. Your appearance is exceptional and you stand out amidst the generally boring human populace. You are stunning, and because of this, you draw attention that you may not want and that is not good for being stealthy."

The hanyou blinked a few times before squinting at Naraku, but the kumo's tone hadn't been teasing or at all condescending. Mollified, Inuyasha flopped down on the couch. "Fine...but you better bring me home some of that iced cream stuff. I never get any when I'm here. Everyone else steals it first."

Kagome laughed. "Alright, I promise. Take care, and we'll be back as soon as we're done. Miroku, I'm leaving you in charge."

Miroku blinked, then grinned. "Right. I'll make sure none of these unruly demons gets too out of line."

Inuyasha snorted and grabbed for the television remote. "That'll be the day..."

Kagome shook her head and ushered her shopping companions out the door.