InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sacrifices of the Heart ❯ Enter the Players Part Two ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

All Normal Disclaimers Apply

Title: Sacrifices of the Heart
Author: Scottishfae
Rating: M
Warnings: A/U, sexual themes

Summary: A struggle for power within their home village leaves Kikyo and Kagome competing for the position of high priestess of the powerful local shrine. However, when war approaches and the only way to protect themselves is through a pact with a local demon tribe, which woman will step up to become the mate of the tribe's leader.

A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed:

Cac, jinxi, Sandra, wow, yashafan1, Kikisuteru, Inuyasha_lovers, lakoda, inujunkie, hanyougirrl, lynx9, gopher-guts7, Out_of_touch_with_Reality, Arwey, RaversAnthem, Inuyasha'sMYlover, LynGreenTea, loz, BelleDayNight, turtley2005, dreamingblueflames, Kagome-Inu's_Wifey, Ruby Neko, kikyo's_killer, someone, stardragon12, arubabu, and smilelychic40

After this chapter, please read and participate in a very important poll dealing directly with this fic. It'll help out me out tons and hopefully make the story better. Thanks!

This chapter is dedicated to:

hanyougirrl who made my day by becoming my cheerleader with her extra review

...and...

BelleDayNight whose reviews were the reason I decided to continue with this fic, even though I've gotten very little response about it.

Thank you both!

………………………

Chapter One: Enter the Players, Part Two

The sun had just started to appear over the eastern horizon, but many in Kokufu were already rousing from their sleep. In a small, rundown hut on the Western most edge of the village a young woman with blue-black hair quietly stole away into the nearly empty streets.

At this time of day the only people who occupied the streets were the poor workers, leaving for another day of labor, and the rich merchants, going home after a night of debauchery.

Kagome had long ago become accustomed to the dank and dark cobbled streets that led her to the bakery where she was employed. The baker's wife, Eri, had been a childhood friend of hers and even though they couldn't pay Kagome in currency, they would spare her any left over bread they could find in compensation. Kagome's actual job was to help Eri out with the children and household, as her husband usually kept her heavy with child.

Today, as she crept through the streets, Kagome couldn't help but notice a cold chill that ran through her as if someone was watching her. She sped up her pace but the eerie feeling and the urgency to get away only increased.

She was almost at a full-fledged run when she turned the corner and ran smack dab into someone. She squealed in horror and folded her body in on itself, bringing her arms up to protect her face.

“Higurashi?” A soft baritone asked, breaking through her terror filled mind.

Kagome lowered her arms to see a concerned looking Hojo squatting in front of her. She let out a bit of a sigh and almost instantly relaxed.

Hojo was the elder brother to another of Kagome's childhood friends, Ami. The young man was two years her senior and one of the most handsome in Kokufu. He had short, dark brown hair, large brown eyes that many acclimated to be synonymous with puppy's eyes, and just a slightly tan skin tone. He had a happy disposition and a beautiful smile, even if a little naïve and simple minded at times.

As a child Hojo had almost instantly taken to Kagome, as their personalities were so similar. Many felt that as they both became of age, Hojo would begin to court the young beauty.

However, Kagome's father died unexpectedly causing the already poor family to fall into destitution. Hojo's father, seeing that Kagome's dowry and social status became nonexistent, decided that any marriage between the two wouldn't be beneficial and thus began negotiations for an arranged marriage with the young hair attendant of the Boushi family.

Days after the wedding announcement Hojo came to Kagome and declared his love. He suggested an elopement to the beautiful young woman; however, the romantic love was one-sided and Kagome couldn't bring herself to leave her already heartbroken and struggling family.

A week after her refusal, Hojo married Yura, the hairdresser. The woman, a buxom beauty of tremendous sexual appeal, seemed disgusted with her new husband. However, Kagome soon found out that she bore a hatred from the newly married woman for Hojo's devotion, even after his marriage.

Hojo had to accompany his new wife to live on the Boushi family estate, as said in any Boushi contract of servitude, and rarely was allowed to venture away from his duties.

The early morning hours of this particular day was an exception, as Akogi had sent the young man in search of the /him/.

“Higurashi? Are you okay?” He asked standing up and offering her a hand.

“H-Hai. I just felt like someone was following me,” she whispered trying to shake off the apprehensive feeling.

Hojo chuckled before taking of his cloak to offer to the young beauty in front of him. She gladly took it and wrapped it around her shivering form.

“You shouldn't be walking around this early Higurashi. It's unsafe.”

Kagome fixed him with a hollow stare. He laughed uncomfortably, remembering it was for her job that sent her out so early.. “If you need a job, you should come work for the Boushi's. It'll be safe and we can see each other more often,” Hojo smiled brightly.

“Thank you Hojo, but no. This is my last day working at the bakery anyway. I'm going to apprentice myself at the temple tomorrow.”

A look of horror overtook the young man as he began to fidget uncontrollably. “Hojo, are you okay?”

“Don't work at the temple,” he blurted out nervously. “P-please come work for us.”

“Hojo I can't. You know Yura would hate me being there.”

“B-but…” he began to stammer looking for a good excuse.

“Ah, Hojo-kun, there you are.”

Kagome turned around to see an elegantly dressed man appear out of the shadows. She drew the borrowed cloak closer to her as the uneasy feeling came back full fold.

“N-Naraku-sama,” Hojo bowed to the man. “Akogi-sama sent me to make sure you returned safely.”

Naraku gave a sickening smile as his crimson gaze came to rest on the woman before him. “He's right, young lady, you shouldn't work at the temple. A pretty thing such as yourself should come work for the Boushi's,” he licked his lips hungrily, combing over her hidden body with his unabashed stare. “Or, better yet, come work for me.”

He lifted a hand to run down the side of Kagome's face. She jerked her head away and looked over to Hojo. He looked petrified.

Naraku stepped closer to the girl. “Hojo-kun, I seem to have forgotten my cloak at the tea house. Go fetch it for me.”

Hojo looked as if he wanted to protest but fear won out and he walked, hurriedly, down the street. “Oh, and Hojo-kun?” Naraku called out.

He stopped to listen to his superior but didn't turn around. “Tell Yura to come to see me later. I am in need of her /services/.”

Hojo's back tensed and Kagome watched as his fists clinched tightly, drawing blood. The man beside her laughed as he watched Hojo run off to do his bidding.

“Now, my dear, we have no distractions,” he leered.

Kagome took a step away and smirked. “How rude of me. Here, /sir/, a cloak for you. I won't be needing it,” Kagome threw Hojo's cloak over the man's head, giving her enough diversion to take off down the street.

She turned after some distance to see Naraku watching her but not chasing. “Be a dear and return that to Hojo for me,” she called out before turning and sprinting the rest of the way towards the bakery.

Naraku smirked. He dropped the servant's garment on the ground and turned to make his way towards his home, his desire for the fiery beauty burning within his loins.

………………………&# 8230;……….

The former Boushi maid whimpered in pain as she was thrown into the damp cave in the hillside. Her whole body ached from the abuse given to her earlier. Her tears had long ago dried up as she tried to assess her situation.

Naraku himself had dumped her in the cave with a slight menacing laugh and a command to “enjoy”. She had no clue who those words were being said to but she wasn't going to stick around to find out.

Her legs were bruised, swollen and probably fractured in multiple places. The juncture between her legs felt that it had been ripped to shreds and even now was probably still bleeding. She ignored the pain as she lifted herself up. She was wobbly at first but quickly began to take steps to approach the cave entrance.

A soft noise of something breathing alerted her panic and she tried to run towards the entrance. The noise didn't follow her but as soon as she made it to the interest she found herself flung back onto the rocky floor by an invisible barrier. Dry sobs racked her body as she realized there was no escaping whatever else was in the cave.

However, the noise did not come near her and the thing that was breathing at the back of the cave laid dormant. The girl crawled around looking for a way out but after an hour her exhaustion caught up with her and forced her to sit down near the cave's entrance.

It was then that the noise began to approach her. Her eyes widened in horror as the shadow closed in on her. She screamed in terror for a brief moment before passing out onto the floor.

The figure approached the unconscious girl and picked her up before retreating to the back of the cave, away from the barrier that burned at his skin. He admired the girl in his hands and thought of how much his brother would enjoy her.

………………………&# 8230;………

Naraku sat in his usual lounging position on his outside porch. It was well into the evening and the sun was just barely visible over the high tree canopy. The devilish man was naked from the waist down with his robes thrown carelessly over his hips to save some of his decency. Behind him, in a similar state of undress, Yura lazily combed through his hair. Her short, bobbed hair was perfectly in place, as usual.

Yura, one of the many demons bound to Naraku, was normally disguised as a human under Akogi to make sure the man wasn't stepping out of place. Naraku's control of the man was almost entirely complete but he preferred it better to watch him just in case.

So Yura was forced to be under the human, in both sense of the word, and obey his orders. Her human husband had not been part of the deal, but under her disguise as a servant, she couldn't do anything about it. So the hair-loving oni had to deal with the human mate, whom she had gradually come to enjoy playing with.

Hojo was completely ignorant of her real identity but he was completely aware of her more than professional involvement with Naraku. The human man had been placed under Naraku as a servant at the request of Naraku himself. The perverse pleasure the red-eyed man received from watching Hojo's hurt was the only reason the human was employed. It was also quite possibly the only reason Yura got the attention she did from the powerful demon.

Currently Hojo was running an errand in town, allowing for the meeting without human involvement.

“Kagura, tell me what is being said across the border.”

The wind youkai straightened from her bent position. She was dressed in an elegant kimono that expressed her natural alliance with the wind. Her hair was held up with a multitude of pins and feathers. Her ever-present fan was held in front of her mouth, hiding her sneer. “Preparations are nearly done, everything should be ready soon.”

Naraku's eyes narrowed and his thoughts turned inward for a moment. Seeing that his calculations seemed correct with what Kagura had just reported, he nodded. “Tell the seven to keep ongoing preparations running quickly. Time is crucial. Have you any other news?”

The wind youkai paused, deciding if she wanted to divulge all the reports she had heard. Naraku took the pause for what it was and a quick warning had Kagura bowing again in apology. “Rumors spread that the wolf tribes have declined an alliance.”

Naraku simply snorted and leaned back so he was now partially cradled on Yura's sitting form. “The wolves are fools. It can't be helped. They will be destroyed along with their canine cousins.”

Kagura stood and awaited her orders. A small child of white approached the porch, a delicate mirror clutched in both hands to her chest. Moving so he could peer at the unblinking child. “What have you've seen? Any word of the House of Inu?”

The mirror flickered to life and an image of a dog-eared hanyou came into view. “The half-demon has returned to his birthplace by request of the Taiyoukai.”

“So the proud Sesshomaru has recalled his half-brother. It must be something very serious to have the mighty Taiyoukai tolerate the presence of his hated sibling,” he smiled.

He dismissed Yura before he continued interrogating his detachments. The naked youkai leaned over the man in front of her to place an unreturned kiss on his lips. Yura left disappointed that she had not even gained his attention.

“Yura,” he called out as she started to redress in her short kimono. She paused to look at him, hopeful. “Watch your husband closely and make sure he doesn't go following past apron strings.”

Yura's eyes narrowed and she nodded. Finishing her dressing, she quickly leapt out into the forest with a nimble grace that was alone found in youkai and the like.

"Kagura, go and make sure the wolves keep their mouths shut, destroy them if you must."

She nodded and pulled out one of the feathers from her hair. With a flourish of wind the feather enlarged enough for the wind youkai to climb upon it in a very unique form of transportation. Once settled, she called upon the wind and created an updraft that took her high in the air and heading quickly towards the Eastern territory where the wolves ruled.

Naraku watched the woman fly off before returning his attention to the pale girl in front of him. Knowing what the attention meant, Kana activated the mirror again. An image of an injured Hiten phased into view.

"So the fool was beaten by the puppy,” Naraku laughed.

"Send a message to him, whisper in his ear the words of vengeance, awake in him his grief." The demonic man whispered into the night's air. A flicker was the only indication that his words were heard.

Naraku stood, his unworn garments falling to his feet, his own modesty indifferent to him. "Kana, go check on Juromaru and Kageromaru and see if they have finished with that girl yet."

Kana nodded and left only after Naraku had entered his home. The glowing orbs of other demonic souls floating around him, ready to serve his every whim.

....................................................

Two pairs of amber eyes stared at each other in the grand courtyard of the Western Palace. The younger brother's comrades had taken rest just inside the massive stonewalls.

Sesshomaru stood regal and beautiful above his half-brother, in height, strength and status. "You made me wait,” he announced in a deep, satin voice.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Well soooory, you bastard, but we had to take care of some trouble on the way."

A minute flinch of the Taiyoukai's fists was the only proof of his rage. "Do not bestow upon me the title in which only you bear."

Sesshomaru turned, not waiting for a response, and entered the palace. Inuyasha was expected to follow. The hanyou bristled at the insult within the elegant words. He did eventually follow his brother, however, increasing his strides and pace to catch up.

Sensing the hanyou's approach, the youkai spoke, "What trouble did you find and was it taken care of thoroughly?"

The younger sibling found himself rolling his eyes again and more than a little pissed off. "Of course we took care of it, you ass!"

Sesshomaru abruptly turned and took the few steps need to bring him face to face with his brother. "You will refrain from calling me such things and using such language while in my presence." His tone had dropped menacingly and had it been anyone else the person would have been frozen in fear.

Inuyasha just snorted, side stepped the taller youkai, and continued down the hallway. Sesshomaru's gaze moved upward to the giant portrait of a demonic white dog hanging wall to wall across the main doors. "For you father," he whispered through gritted teeth before turning again and, with long strides, made his way down the hall, the end of the paternal pelt that donned Sesshomaru's shoulder flapped wildly behind him.

...................................................

Hiten layback on the futon his littler sister had laid out for him. The worrisome brat was panicking as she desperately sought one of the few remaining servants to come to her eldest brother's aide.

The heir to the thunder clan closed his eyes in both pain and grief. He had promised his late parents that he would watch over his younger siblings and had failed in the worst way.

After his fleeing the clearing he had been pursued by one of Inuyasha's lackeys. The full Inuyoukai that accosted him left him alive, no doubt by the hanyou's orders, but severely injured. If he were any weaker of a youkai, he would certainly be dead.

An ethereal voice drew Hiten's attention from his dark thoughts. A glowing green-white light shone through the shoji screens. His sister's voice and shadow accompanied the unearthly light.

Moments later Soten slid open the door, her eyes wide and pupils dilated. The light entered and lit up the room in an eerie brilliance. The thunder youkai tried to jump to his feet as the intense feeling of danger overtook him. The green-white orb that had been floating above the floor, expanded. The light dulled enough to show the nude image of a blonde female standing within. Her white skin and crystal blue eyes all seemed to be emitting a glow.

The long, sleek limbs gracefully crossed the floor, her feet skirting above the wooden planks. As the figure neared Hiten, he found himself sinking to his knees. His eyes were wide as he stared at the ethereal figure that was now standing directly in front of him.

She bent over to meet his gaze, her long locks falling down to curtain the two intimately. "W-what are you?" His voice cracked as he continued to stare into the blue depths.

Two plump, pink lips separated into a gentle smile showing off perfect white teeth. "I am yours." She replied in a sultry, unworldly voice.

Hiten blinked a few times before falling back on his rear. A soft ringing floated through the air as the woman laughed. She kneeled beside him, sitting primly in her nudity. "Hiten-sama, I am here to serve you." She spoke again and bowed as was customary.

Hiten's instincts screamed at him to flee from the woman in front of him, but her voice ensnared him like a soft embrace against her naked flesh. “Soten go and have food prepared for your brother,” the woman commanded softly.

She then turned her attention back to Hiten. “You are injured, my lord, please allow me to heal you.”

The thunder heir could do nothing but nod. She reached down with nimble, elegant fingers and unwrapped the sloppily done bandages. She gasped in believable horror at the already healing wounds. “Hiten-sama, what happened to you?” She said with a sympathetic tone.

She traced the wound with her fingers; the wounds healed with a hiss following her touch. Hiten's fist clenched and the woman's spell was momentarily dispersed. She was startled by the anger and sorrow that came off the man in waves. The surrounding light flickered against his pure emotions and the woman's figure flickered from its state of ethereal beauty to something much more sinister. “My lord, you mustn't upset yourself with your wounds.”

Hiten, whose eyes had closed under the intense memories, reopened his eyes. The woman smiled. “Do not worry, my lord. I am here and I am yours. I will take care of you and help you. Those who have wronged you will pay grievously.”

Hiten nodded, the ghostly voice waning him into slumber. Soten came into the room with a tray of food. The woman motioned for her to leave the tray. “Go sleep mistress Soten, it is time for you to rest.”

The girl nodded and walked to her own chambers.

Once the room was empty of everyone except she and the slumbering youkai, the woman arose and walked to the door. She paused at a mirror across the room and briefly stared at her reflection.

Her eyes narrowed at the figure of a red eyed, green skinned woman that stared back at her. Her oily black hair hung loosely around her face making her eyes seems the more horrifying. She brought a hand up to run against the scaly skin she saw. “Come into sight,” she called, withdrawing her gaze from the hideous form.

With her command two orbs of white-colored light floated into the room. She turned to one and commanded it to return to Naraku and report. The other was told to go and have all reflective objects removed.

Once the orders were set, she turned back to Hiten's form and lay out beside him. She would wait for him to wake before finishing Naraku's will. The woman sighed and laid her hand on his chest. She rested her head at the juncture of his shoulder and arm, allowing herself to relax.

Her kind rarely slept, being somewhere between god and youkai, but allowing herself to relax on occasion was still a welcome occasion. Especially now that a large portion of her kind was enslaved to Naraku.

Anger coursed through her at the thought and she unconsciously dug her nails into Hiten's flesh. He whimpered in pain but didn't wake. “Sh, my lord, do not wake,” she cooed tracing the marks she had just created.

They healed just as they had earlier. She cleared her head and focused on the breathing of the man beside her.

………………………&# 8230;………

Kagome sat back on her haunches surveying her work. Eri and her children had all packed a picnic to go and eat with other families of the area. Kagome's childhood friends gave her pitying smiles as they left her to do the menial tasks.

Kagome had contained her anger as she heard her friend discuss the shame of her unmarriageability. It was something people outside her family had been telling her since childhood.

Kagome's natural beauty and normally sweet disposition was well liked for traits in a wife, however, beneath the kind heart was a fiery temper that became known within the tight-knit group of the outer community of Kokufu.

It was this challenge against the meek rule of women that had most people, besides Hojo, convinced she would never marry.

“Looks great Kagome, thank you,” Touji, Eri's husband, commented as he looked at the clean floor of his house.

Kagome smiled up at the man. He was short and stout with signs of aging already appearing around his hairline and waist but he was rarely without a smile and a very dedicated husband and father on top of it all.

Eri had really lucked out with her father's choice of husband. “Thank you, Touji-san. Is there anything else before I go?”

The sun had already begun to set. “No but I have some things for you in the shop. Clean up quick and I'll give it you.”

Kagome nodded and went to replace the bucket and scrub brush, after throwing out the dirty water in the back alley. She hung up the apron she had used to shield her clothing before walking into the front of the house, which served as the bakery.

The baker stood there with a cloth bag full of bread and other assorted food items. Kagome gasped. “This is our going away present. I'm sorry Eri and the children couldn't be here to send you off but she knew the children would take it poorly and she was afraid of the emotional fit she would have.”

Kagome smiled sadly at the man. She would dearly miss the family who had treated her so well. “I'll still come and visit you. It's not like I'm leaving the village.”

He smiled at the young woman in front of him. Her shoulders were straightened and her chin held high. It seemed to him that she was trying to convince herself more than anyone. “Good Luck Kagome, with whatever lies in front of you,” his voice was soft and tender.

Kagome couldn't help herself and rushed to the baker. She enveloped him in a teary hug as she thanked him for his family's kindness. Touji returned the hug with his free arm, holding her close without being intimate. “You will be perfect for the temple. They will find a Kami has entered their midst in the form a passionate young beauty.”

Kagome giggled at his statement she pulled back, wiping the tears from her eyes. “You flatter me too much,” she said a smile lifted her spirits.

They separated and he raised the bag that he had been gripping tightly the whole time. Kagome took it from him, perplexed at the variety of food it held. “It's not much but Eri and I agreed that your family deserved a nice dinner together tonight. It's a going away gift for you all.”

Kagome's tears renewed. “Thank you and thank Eri for me as well.”

Touji nodded and have her a quick kiss on her forehead. “No go home and enjoy the rest of your time with your family.”

Kagome nodded. She gave a final goodbye and another quick hug before she ran out into the streets towards her home.

………………………&# 8230;………

An orange fur ball rolled down a steep hill. Moment later the fur ball's traveling companion appeared at the top of the hill, worry etched into his face and voice as he yelled at the young fox.

Now at the bottom, Shippo was giggling as he waited for the world to stop spinning. Traveling with the monk had been less than exciting and he relished in the childish communion with nature to entertain him. Not to mention the fact that the monk was funny when he was freaking out.

“Shippo, are you okay?” Miroku called out trying to make his way down the hill.

Halfway down he tripped and rolled the rest of the way down, as Shippo had earlier. He ended up on his bag with a giggling kitsune beside him. “I'm too old for this,” he mumbled.

Shippo's giggling had stopped and a low, and unimpressive, growl was being emitted from his young youkai vocal chords. Moments later a shadow fell on both of them and Miroku squinted against the sun to make out the person standing above him.

“Are you okay Miroku-sama?” A familiar boy's voice asked.

The monk sighed and reached out to pet the young youkai's head. “It's okay Shippo.”

Shippo's growling stopped. Miroku sat up to see a smiling Kohaku in his usual demon-exterminating outfit, no doubt the reason for Shippo's distress. Sango stood behind him in an unknowingly sexy posture. Her head was cocked to the side, looking puzzled, while her hip was jutted to the right as she rested most of her weight on her right foot.

“Ah, Sango-hime, you look confused.”

Sango's cheeks turned the slightest shade of pink. “You're surprisingly good with children,” she said as she watched him get up and dust himself off.

She continued to watch as that smooth, boyish smile appeared across his face and something in her head put her on instant guard. When he began to approach her she had to consciously stop herself from moving back.

“Why Sango, my dear,” he said grasping her hand in his. “I am glad you realized what a good father I will be. There is nothing more special in the world than children and it is my wish…” Sango's eyebrow began to twitch in annoyance. “…that now that you know what a roguishly handsome man, such as I, has to offer, would you do me the honor of bearing my children?”

Birds scattered as the force of the slap resounded through the area.

“Baka,” Shippo muttered. Kohaku simply giggled as the fallen monk twitched on the ground.

………………………&# 8230;………

“So why did you need me here?” The hanyou asked

He was stretched out over the lavish pillows that made up one of the many, usually unused, entertaining rooms within the palace. Sesshomaru was sitting primly, staring out over the vast lands viewable from the palace's higher elevation. He drank his tea thoughtfully, ignoring his younger brother for the moment.

It had been five years after the birth of the youngest Inu brother that InuTaisho had met his death. It was the following week when the Council of Lords has proclaimed Sesshomaru the new Taiyoukai of the Western Lands.

Sesshomaru took his birth rite very seriously. Inuyasha, even if his gruff exterior challenged the fact, loved his homeland. Sesshomaru's eyes moved slightly so that he could see his half-brother from the corner. Inuyasha, too, was staring out to the horizon.

The elder brother decided it was pointless to continue stalling. He put his cup down and turned to his brother. “Rumors of war have been circulating. Most resides between the humans of this county and Mikai

“Mikai? That's on our border.”

Sesshomaru nodded, ignoring the fact that Inuyasha had claimed ownership of his lands. “The human lordlings have already deployed troops to enter and protect the Western borders.”

“So? Why do you care?”

“A human war will destroy my lands,” he said, his voice laced with the smallest amount of frustration.

“Well I ain't killing humans for something stupid.”

“I have not asked you to do anything yet,”

“Then why…”

“If you will let me finish,” his voice stern and demanding. Inuyasha sat back. “Along with the humans involved there have been rumors of a half-demon being involved in hopes of taking over everything.”

“I hope you aren't about to accuse me of this,” Inuyasha interrupted again.

“Sesshomaru held his breath and counted to ten before slowing exhaling. “No, dear brother, I do not think you have the brains…”

“Hey!”

“…nor the manipulative skills to pull off something this massive. I am hearing from spies that the wolves of the East were approached about allying themselves against the West. They wisely turned down the offer.”

“So you must have some clue on who is behind this,” Inuyasha's mood had turned somber as the seriousness of the situation began to sink in.

“I do not.”

“Then what the hell am I supposed to do?”

Sesshomaru extended his arm and a toad-like youkai wobbled in carrying a scroll in one hand and a menacing looking wooden staff in the crook of his other arm. The staff itself was only odd looking because of the two heads that were interwoven within the wood particles on the top. It was these two heads one had to watch if you threatened the small youkai.

Sesshomaru, pointedly ignoring the groveling being bestowed upon him by his retainer, directed the toad to give the scroll to Inuyasha. He did so but with obvious disgust. He left the room after it was made apparent he would continued to be ignored.

“What am I looking at?” Inuyasha asked as he unrolled the scroll with the artful and precise calligraphy.

“Surely you were taught to read Inuyasha,” Sesshomaru taunted with the full knowledge of the hanyou's very full education.

“Ha…ha…ha…way to grow a sense of humor, you cold bastard,” he replied sardonically.

Sesshomaru ignored the retort. “For a while now there has been a man named Naraku I have been gathering information on. That is all I know of him.”

Inuyasha pulled out the scroll completely noting that there was very little within his hands.

“He is quite allusive and seems to be controlling the Boushi family of Kokufu.”

The younger brother raised his eyebrow, surprised his brother knew about the inner workings of a human village. “So what'cha want me to do about it?”

“Go to Kokufu and investigate. Rumors of the war should have reached there by now, use that as your cover.”

“What? I'm to go in and say I'm checking out their preparations, or something?”

Sesshomaru smirked. “A valid and acceptable excuse, I'm impressed, you used your brain.”

Inuyasha allowed a growl to reverberate deep in his chest. “Anything else jackass?”

The Taiyoukai said nothing, this being the hanyou's clue to leave. He stood up, re-secured his sword that he had earlier set aside and turned to leave, scroll in hand. He only got a few steps before the imp from before ran in with another scroll.

“Lord Sesshomaru, this just arrived It was labeled urgent,” the toad squawked breathlessly.

Sesshomaru looked at the blood seal that served as the notation of urgency. He lifted his finger and bit into it allowing his sharp canines to pierce through his porcelain, white skin. A small bubble of crimson blood came to the surface. He took his elegant digit and with infinite grace unsealed the document. The blood seal sizzled in response, the ancient magic reacting to the blood to insure the correct person was opening it.

Once the seal was undone, Sesshomaru unfurled the scroll, the handwriting was rushed and nearly illegible. “It seems that the wolf tribes are under attack,” he spoke to his brother after deciphering the message.

“Oh?” Inuyasha said without much interest.

The wolves ruled the Eastern lands and he could honestly not stand the arrogant pricks, cousins or not.

“They are requesting assistance.”

The hanyou couldn't help but growl at what he was sure was about to be asked of him.

“Go there and scout, only. Your men are too little for a full-on battle. Interfere only when necessary.”

The hanyou ignore the insulting insinuation that he couldn't handle the situation with the wolves. Without another word, the red-class half demon walked out of the room. He walked down the ancient hallways without noticing his family history lining the passages in the form of tapestries, armor, portraits and other such mementos.

He paused in front of the massive doors that were the only barrier to the outside. Honey colored eyes stared at the Inu portrait above the exit. He kneeled down and bowed solemnly to the image of his father. A tradition that Inuyasha had never done without.

Sesshomaru silently watched from afar, his head silently bowed in a similar sign of respect.

………………………&# 8230;………

Kagura looked down at her handiwork. She had lay siege on one of the wolf tribe's strongholds. They hadn't been too much of a fight and now the clearing was littered with the slain.

Using one of her many wind techniques, Kagura had set out a trap to lure the rest of the wolves to her. This way she would have minimum work to do.

A flicker of light, one that could be mistaken for a firefly, floated above the corpses. Kagura recognized the light as a faerie spirit. One of the many enslaved, like herself, to Naraku.

Sharp, red eyes watched as the heavenly glow gradually made its way to the rock ledge where she was sitting. The woman within the light was like a miniature person, stunning and beautiful with crystal-like wings keeping her nude figure floating gracefully in the air.

“What were you sent here for?” Kagura's smooth voice asked.

The faerie made no move to acknowledge the rudeness in which she was addressed. “Naraku-sama says to be prepared. The Inu-hanyou is coming this way. He wants you to take care of him as well, if the opportunity arises.”

Kagura nodded her head. When the light showed now interest in leaving the wind youkai to her own business, Kagura brought out her fan. Red lips parted to reveal stunning white teeth just slightly more jagged than normal.

With a flick of her wrist, Kagura sent a heavy gust towards the mythical creature. The faerie was blown back a few feet before regaining her barring. She didn't stick around after that, leaving in a huff at being treated so poorly.

Kagura simply smiled and waited for the newest players

of her puppet show to arrive.

………………………&# 8230;……….

That's another chapter. Things are starting to set up into turmoil.

Things to look for next chapter (which I've already gotten a good deal written, by the way):

Kagura vs. Inuyasha

Enter Koga

Trials of the High Priestess

Kokufu, Meet Inuyasha

Poll Time:

I'm trying to write long chapters for everyone since updating is sketchy for me due to classes. However, I know I do dance around everywhere when I write these chapters. I'm trying to give you glimpses of everything going on around the same time in different places.

What I would like to know is:

How many people like the chapter formats the way they are, with multiple scenes and settings?

How many people would prefer me stick with one character/scene for each chapter (even though the chapter's may be considerably shorter)?

If the 2nd choice is preferred by the majority, than the Ch.2 preview (see right above the poll) will be the next few chapters names & contents.

Just leave a review with what you think (and you know leave a nice review to encourage me to finish the rest of Chapter 2!). Thanks y'all.

And thanks for reading!

P.S. If anyone wants to offer to be my beta and heckler, than feel free to email me (you can find my email in my profile) or you can IM me at Scottishfae13 via AIM. Thanks!

~fae

DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW, IT ENCOURAGES ME AND BOOST MY SELF-ESTEEM!