InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Some people need a push ❯ My Daughter ( Chapter 13 )

Feudal Era, Japan, Day 47

3Miles From Naraku's Castle

Night

 

My Daughter

 

“Everybody got the plan?” Jan glared at the people around her, daring them to say no. She had just spent the last six hours hearing complaints, comments, and “improvements”, not to mention countering criticism, explaining the reasoning behind a tactic, and answering questions like Koga's “How do you expect us to know when to move?” while outlining her battle plan.

 

“We need armor for the majority of my people,” Ayame announced. “My warriors are mostly wolves, and I doubt their fur will be enough to protect them.”

 

The forge demon Totosai sniffed. “I can fashion armor, but I doubt I can make it light enough to allow them their agility. I will try, but we are to attack in four days. I may not be able to fashion such armor as you require.”

 

“Ayame, I'll make the wolves' armor. Totosai, I want you to concentrate on making weapons for everyone who needs them; gods know that there are enough to fill your time. Koga's warriors all need swords. Claws will not be sufficient in the battle to come. The neko-youkai need both armor and substantial weapons. Ayame, you need a solid weapon as well, not to mention real armor. All the mounts need armor.”

 

“The cats will not accept weapons; they are too proud.” Sesshomaru sat as far away from the cats as possible - a result of a long feud and bad blood between them. He was also far removed from the rest of the group as a whole; there were at least three feet separating him from the nearest person.

 

“Speaking of pride,” Maria muttered.

 

Jan put a weary hand to her temple. “It does not matter if they are proud. They will accept weapons because if they do not, they will die.” She glared at the cats, then at Sesshomaru. “We need all the people who can hold weapons to do so. This battle requires more than claws to scratch at our enemy. Now, all of you will leave your petty rivalries behind, or you will die. That is not a threat, it is a fact. This is war, and the only dissent in Naraku's ranks comes covertly from Kagura. They have the larger army, and it does not bicker amongst itself. The only advantage we have over them is a higher intelligence, and sometimes I wonder how much higher.”

 

All the people around her stared, insulted. Well, not Jaken, who was still trying to figure out the insult. Jaken had once been the leader of a large toad-demon legion. He had left the legion to follow Sesshomaru, but had contacted them once again at the urging of his lord and Jan. The remnants had volunteered to become, as they put it, “disposable infantry” for the war.

 

Jan was determined that no one would be considered dispensable, no matter how weak they were. The main reason the toad demons had been so unsuccessful in war thus far was the fact that they were poorly equipped and were horrible at tactics. “Inuyasha, I want you to remember that you are working together with your brother. Sesshy, I will make certain Rin is protected. You are only to concentrate on the attack. Sango, you have been given command of the toad demons. You are sure you are capable of leading them?”

 

“Hai. But I would still feel more comfortable with the monk to assist me.”

 

“You mean to stabilize you. You really need to be more confident. Miroku has his own mission. Can you or can you not lead an army?”

 

Sango steeled herself, and then nodded. “I can do it.”

 

“Good. Anything else?” Jan looked around and prayed there would not be. No one objected, and she dismissed them. She raised an eyebrow when Sesshomaru remained behind.

 

“Yes?”

 

“If we manage to defeat Naraku, I would… You may… I may have something in my castle to help you return to your home. If you would wish for my assistance.” The tai-youkai looked very uncomfortable. He seemed to have trouble meeting her eyes.

 

“ I would enjoy visiting your home, Sesshomaru. After the battle, I may not have need of your aid, but I would like to visit your home.” Jan flashed a grin. “It's fun to see you off balance.”

 

 

Sesshomaru left the planning area a few minutes later. He entered the campsite he shared with Rin, Jaken, and Ah-Un. Motioning to the girl, he entered the single tent in the campsite.

 

“Rin, I want hyou to stay as close to Lady Kagome as possible. Do not enter the battle, no matter what happens.

 

The girl tilted her head. “What could happen, Lord Sesshomaru?”

 

Her innocence struck a spot in his heart. “I am sure nothing untoward will happen, but I wish for your promise. I will not be near to protect you should anything attack you, and I know that Lady Kagome has a plan to escape should that happen. I only wish for you to be safe.”

 

“I promise I'll stay away from danger as much as I possibly can.”

 

“Good. Come, Rin, You need sleep.” Sesshomaru lay the fur piece from his mother's transformed dog form on the ground, and she curled up on top of it. He spread the rest of the fur over her, sat down, and leaned back into a tent post. The child's breathing had almost immediately into that of a deep sleep.

 

“Sleep well, Rin, my daughter.”