InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Taisho's Darling ❯ Divide and Conquer` ( Chapter 27 )

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Disclaimer: I don't own these marvelous characters; they are the property of Rumiko Takahashi. I merely torture them at will and put them in uncomfortable situations whenever possible.

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Chapter 27

Divide and Conquer

 

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“Ko-chan? What're you doing?” Kanna raised herself up on an elbow and blinked sleepily at her mate.

 

Kohaku placed a tender kiss upon her forehead, smoothing her pale bangs back with his roughened hand. “I'm too restless to lie here with you, Kanna. Try to take a nap, okay?” He tucked the blanket around her shoulders as he spoke.

 

“'Kay,” Kanna agreed with a large yawn. She was so tired…she hadn't slept a bit last night, not really. Dazed with horror and grief over her mother's murder, she'd remained awake long after Kohaku had dozed off and Kagura had succumbed to the sedative.

 

Now, though, she found herself blissfully numb. The savage pain in her soul had quieted, thanks in no small part to Kohaku. Her mate's presence soothed her, a factor she'd not considered when bonding his life to her own. It was such a strong tie, anchoring her drifting soul amidst the chaos. Here she found peace, cradled in the comfort of Kohaku's arms and sheltered beneath the safety of Taisho's protection.

 

Safe…unless Taisho was responsible for the death of her mother.

 

She blinked, wondering from where that stray thought originated. Fully awake, Kanna sat up in the bed and contemplated this new idea. It could be true, she decided, that Taisho bore some connection to Sakura's death. After all, the youkai had been affianced to her mother…perhaps one of his enemies had decided to strike a target close to Taisho, rather than the demon himself?

 

No, it was far more likely her mother had been done in by her own scheming. Kanna wasn't ignorant to the whispers concerning her mother's aptitude with poisonous concoctions, and it didn't take a great stretch of the imagination to consider the possibility that Sakura had been planning to rid the world of Taisho. Had there been another who plotted with her mother, someone who decided Sakura was more of a liability than an asset?

 

Frowning, Kanna fell back against the pillow and stared at the ceiling. Her head was spinning, each thought more horrific than the one before. She was tempted to call for her mate, but refrained from doing so. Kohaku had his own worries; she wouldn't burden him with her concerns.

 

……

 

“So you won't even consider my offer?” Toto-sai asked. His voice coming through the phone line sounded distant and strained, leaving Kaede to wonder just how far away he was. Perhaps he was calling her from the Free Lands? She struggled to keep from snickering hysterically at the strange thought. Somehow, she doubted modern technology was effective through such a magical portal.

 

He was waiting for her answer. “I cannot do this,” Kaede sighed into the phone. “I have considered this fully, Toto-sai, and though I am grateful for your offer…”

 

“You're too in love with that bastard dog to even consider hooking up with me,” Toto-sai finished for her. Kaede could hear the tightness in his throat. “Listen, Kaede,” he continued speaking. “I wasn't even going to bring this up, but you're not going to be given a choice in the matter. Taisho all but ordered me not to take `no' for an answer. Since you refuse to go to the Free Lands, Taisho wants you out of the picture. If you won't accept me, then you're going to be stuck with someone else. You don't like the thought of spending your life in my company; how'd you like to be matched up with someone like Jaken?”

 

“I no longer care, Toto-sai.” Unable to formulate a further response, Kaede thanked the metal-smith once more and hung up the phone. Without much thought, she yanked her bedroom window open and leaned upon the casement, hoping the beautiful weather would return some spark of life to her weary frame.

 

What she really needed right now was a good cry. The heavens knew she was entitled to one, Kaede thought sadly, so where were her tears? Perhaps there were only so many allotted to each lifetime, and she had already used every last one of them on a demon who could not return her love.

 

How Sango and Kohaku's father would laugh if he could see her now, making a fool of herself over a youkai! Actually, Kaede grimaced, he wouldn't laugh - he'd be horrified. The man had been a demon-slayer, for the love of kami! He'd have been sick at the thought of his family living in captivity, but to see what had become of them…to see his children mated to youkai, to witness how readily his lover melted into the arms of a dog-demon with the face of a god and eyes of honey…

 

This had to end - her heart simply couldn't take it any longer. The tears she thought did not exist were now running down her face. Choking on her sobs, Kaede bumped against the small shelf beside the window, knocking an antique wooden chest to the floor.

 

With an angry exclamation, the distraught woman began picking up the contents, stuffing the various items back into the chest. Her hand brushed against cold metal, and she instinctively curled her strong fingers around the hilt of an ornate dagger. Mesmerized by the wicked beauty of the blade, Kaede wondered if she'd ever have the strength or the courage to wield it.

 

……

 

“Kohaku?” Sango brightened at the sight of her brother rummaging through her pantry. He'd been so serious, so anxious lately, as if he expected the world to explode around him. Now, he seemed to have relaxed a little, his slumped posture at odds with the loud crunching of the chips.

 

“Too hungry to wait for lunch,” he mumbled around a mouthful. “Sorry.”

 

“Stop skipping out on breakfast and you won't have this problem,” Sango chided playfully as she washed the raw carrots and began to dice them. Kohaku filched a piece of carrot and earned a rap across the knuckles with the dulled back of the knife. “If you're going to be underfoot, make yourself useful,” she told her brother as she handed him the sharp utensil. “I need the rest of the vegetables chopped while I start the soup base.”

 

He took the knife without complaint and began to cut. “Where's Inu-Yasha?” Kohaku asked her. “The way he was acting earlier, I didn't think he was going to let you out of his sight to use the bathroom, let alone fix the food.”

 

“He was sound asleep when I left the bedroom,” Sango answered. Her voice sounded hollow, coming from the depths of the huge cooking pot she was rinsing with hot water. “I don't think any of us got much sleep last night. Did Kanna lie down for a nap as well?”

 

“Yeah,” Kohaku answered. When he didn't elaborate, Sango raised her head from her task to look at him. He was no longer chopping the vegetables; he was staring out the kitchen window.

 

“What're you looking at?” she asked him, setting aside her cooking pot in order to see what was so interesting.

 

“Nothing,” Kohaku replied absently. “I was just noticing how pretty it is outside. A day like today should be dark and ugly, but the sun's shining. Sango…do you remember when we were little? Before we were captured? After we'd finished our training for the day, we'd go into the meadow outside the village…I always remember those days as being sunny, but I guess it had to rain at some point.”

 

He rambled on in this vein, not noticing the shocked expression crossing Sango's face. Ever since that day so long ago when they had been captured by the snake youkai, her brother never wanted to talk about the past. Kohaku always claimed he couldn't bear to go through the pain of his memories, and Sango had respected his wishes by not bringing up the subject. But here he was, chatting away as if he were discussing nothing more noteworthy than a trip to the fish market. It was almost as if his memories no longer pained him…

 

Sango returned to her task with a smile. It seemed that Kanna was helping to heal her brother's wounded soul, just as Inu-Yasha's love had erased her own tears. As she scrubbed the pot, she added this discovery to her mental tally of things to appreciate.

 

……

 

Bankotsu walked quietly through the hallways, his steps masked by a sound-spell he'd picked up many years ago. A useful trait, the ability to move quietly…at least, it was useful to a human. Creeping about didn't work with demons, particularly the inuyoukai. Their damn dog-noses picked up every scent available. It did no good to use a scent-masking spell, either, for their keen senses detected the shifting smells in the air currents around them. No, the only way to attack an inuyoukai was head-on - provided one was suicidal enough to do that in the first place.

 

The resurrected guard didn't mind patrolling the house and grounds; in fact, he preferred it to many other duties. Walking about gave him time to think, a quiet time to reflect, something not often available in a mansion full of women. And Jakotsu - he shook his head - Jakotsu was worse than the women, what with his chatter and vanity. Does this make me look fat, Bankotsu? How about this color, is it too understated?

 

He snickered at the memories, wondering for what seemed like the millionth time why he put up with the flamboyant excuse for a man. Jakotsu was driving him crazy, blowing hot and cold and lately, hot again. Why did he, a reasonably good-looking and intelligent individual, remain in a relationship with such an unfaithful and twisted being?

 

Pondering this, Bankotsu paused in mid-step as he passed Kaede's door. The barrier to the room was down and the door was open, indicating that anyone might enter. Hoping to glean some kind of wisdom from the motherly woman, Bankotsu stepped into the room.

 

Kaede was sitting on the floor next to the bed, her head resting against the edge of the mattress. Her knees were drawn to her chest, and she was cradling something in her lap. She didn't speak, but acknowledged his entrance with a nod.

 

“Are you well, Kaede?” Bankotsu asked as he sat down beside her on the floor. The woman was acting a bit strange. He'd never seen her so quiet and tense. Could that be a trace of tears upon her cheek?

 

“I am fine, Bankotsu,” Kaede answered smoothly. He could tell she was lying, merely by the way she gripped the handle of what he now recognized as a rather vicious-looking dagger. “Why do you ask?”

 

Bankotsu gently pried her fingers from the dagger's hilt. “This is a nasty piece, Kaede,” he commented as he inspected the weapon. “I've seen a blade like this only once before, a long time ago. A special blade, forged to bring as much harm to a youkai as it would to a human, correct?”

 

In answer, Kaede retrieved the dagger from the guard and lightly touched the tip to Bankotsu's arm. The guard whistled in surprise as the barest pressure caused blood to ooze from a thin cut. To hear of a weapon like this was one thing, to actually see it in action was absolutely amazing. “That blade was forged by the taijiya's kin, no doubt. I'm surprised Taisho-sama allows you to keep such a dangerous item, Kaede.”

 

“Who says he knows I have it?” she responded quietly, resting troubled eyes upon the guard. “The Master is not privy to all of my secrets, Bankotsu, and neither are you. Run along now; I wish to be alone.”

 

“You know I will report this to Taisho-sama,” Bankotsu warned her.

 

“Do what you must, Bankotsu,” Kaede replied. She closed her eyes and rested her head against her knees, still gripping the dagger. “It will not matter.”

 

……

 

Standing with her hand on the partially opened door, Kikyo took a deep breath. Her entire body was shaking, so unsure was she of the wisdom of her actions. Perhaps there was another way…No, she told herself firmly. This was necessary; this was the only way.

 

Mustering the tattered remains of her pride, Kikyo pushed Taisho's door open the rest of the way, then easily dismantled the barrier blocking the room. With confident steps that belied her inner hesitation, the reincarnated miko advanced within a few paces of the bed.

 

The great demon was waiting for her. Wide awake, his face reflected an outward calm that Kikyo realized he could not possibly feel. His shoulders were tensed, his posture that of a creature ready to battle his enemy. A less observant person than Kikyo would have missed the slight surprise that flickered in his eyes when she made her entrance.

 

“Why are you here, Kikyo?” he asked softly.

 

She gathered her spiritual energy, feeling the warmth of the pink glow. “I want the Shikon no Tama, Taisho.” A ball of light formed within her cupped hands, and she raised the orb toward the inuyoukai in an unspoken threat. “Remove it from its hiding place and give it to me.”

 

A strange expression settled across Taisho's face. He didn't flinch, but Kikyo hadn't expected him to do so. What he did next, however, surprised her. Moving slowly, he climbed from the bed and walked across the room to the shelf containing Shippo's toys. After rummaging through the various items, he at last selected a leather sack. “Ah, here it is,” Taisho mumbled. He opened the sack, and Kikyo could hear the clinking of…marbles?

 

“You gave the Jewel to Shippo for safe-keeping?” she asked in horror, her surprise causing her gathered energy to dissipate. “Not two hours ago, he was playing a game of marbles with Rin! What if he'd lost the Jewel during the game?”

 

“But it makes a wonderful taw,” Taisho said with a pleased smile, rolling the Jewel between his fingers as he spoke. “And do think about it, Kikyo - the kit was playing with the Shikon no Tama the entire time, and you never even noticed. The best hiding places are those directly under your nose.”

 

“It's a powerful spell you've placed upon it, to make it appear as a harmless marble,” Kikyo admitted somewhat admiringly. Catching herself, she straightened her shoulders. “Now hand it over, Taisho,” she ordered.

 

“For what purpose?” the demon asked. He half-covered a yawn and tossed the Jewel up in the air a couple of times. His attitude was strange, as if the conversation were no more important than discussing the weather.

 

Kikyo found herself further provoked by his nonchalance. “I'm going to make it go away forever,” she hissed. “No Jewel means no Naraku. Don't you want this game to end?”

 

“You have no idea how much.” His voice was heavy with fatigue, causing the miko before him to wonder just how many years he'd been fighting this battle, planning the downfall of Naraku. “And what will be your wish, Kikyo?”

 

“One that should make you happy,” Kikyo told the youkai. “I'm going to remove Kagome's slave bond.” She held out her hand to take the Shikon no Tama.

 

Taisho didn't relinquish the Jewel. “And is this what Kagome desires?” he asked Kikyo. “She wants this as well?”

 

“Of course she wants this!” Kikyo announced. “She's going to die if that bond isn't removed! And judging by what I heard of the events of this morning, she's fast fading from this world!”

 

“That's interesting, Kikyo,” Taisho said slowly. “I know my Darling well, and I can't seem to wrap my mind around the thought of Kagome wishing to use the Jewel for herself. If you had asked me, I would have said she'd wish for Sota's recovery. You do remember your younger brother with the ailing heart, don't you? Do you deem Kagome's life more important than his?”

 

“I - ” she faltered, at loss for a response to the demon's accusation.

 

“You're an intelligent woman, Kikyo. Do you really believe things to be that simple, that we could rid ourselves of the Jewel and Naraku so easily? I thought not,” Taisho continued as Kikyo shook her head. “I've lived a long time, miko. Few things have the power to disgust me, but self-deception still ranks high on that list.”

 

“What's that supposed to mean?” she spat.

 

“Your sudden concern for your sister…why?” he responded. “You're lying to yourself, Kikyo. You're telling yourself you care for Kagome's life because she's family, telling yourself you must save your beloved sibling.”

 

“And how is that a lie?” Kikyo asked coldly. She watched the inuyoukai as he ambled over to the desk he'd set up by the window. The demon's movements seemed pained, and Kikyo wondered if his wounds were hurting anew.

 

“Perhaps, somewhere in that frozen object you call a heart, you do care for Kagome,” Taisho conceded. “But more than that, Kikyo, you fear losing the one being on this earth who will have you after all of this is over. When the dust has settled, humans and demons alike will scorn you for your dealings with Naraku. Even those who cannot hate you will still find themselves unable to trust you.”

 

His voice lowered, the harsh tones cutting sharply into Kikyo's soul. “All of them, that is, but Kagome. Your sister will love you openly and without reserve, as is her nature.”

 

“It shouldn't be her nature!” Kikyo lashed out, angry with Taisho in spite of recognizing the truth to his words. “She should be full of hatred toward your kind! You put me in her old bedroom last night, where her aura left such a powerful imprint that I saw - I saw her life on the streets, subject to the twisted whims of those monsters!”

 

“Some of those monsters were wearing human skin,” Taisho growled, “or did you overlook that part? You say she should hate `my kind,' but the humans abused her as well!”

 

“And you `saved' her from all of that - how generous of you,” Kikyo sneered. “I'm sure she was ever so grateful to be away from that situation, so grateful that she didn't even question her new master's motives. Tell me, did she get down on her knees and thank you properly, Taisho?”

 

“Enough!” the youkai roared, slamming his heavy fist on the desk. “You have tried my patience to the limit, woman! Are you are so wrapped up in your hatred of youkai that you cannot conceive that a demon might help your sister just because it's the right thing to do? Broaden your mind, Kikyo! The black hearts that crave pain and destruction reside in both races - as do the hearts of those who would make this world better!”

 

“Then prove it!” Kikyo shrieked at him. “Prove you want my sister to live - give me the Jewel! Do you want her to die?” she yelled.

 

Taisho slumped into the chair behind the desk. “Dear kami, no,” he said hoarsely, bowing his head. “To lose my Darling would be…unbearable.”

 

Her anger spent, the miko looked on in astonishment. Kikyo viewed the demon before her with new eyes, observing the droop in his shoulders, the anguish in his voice. “Why?” she asked softly, wanting to know the truth. “Why did you rescue my sister?”

 

“I have asked myself the same question many times, Kikyo,” Taisho answered thoughtfully. “I suppose, in the end, I was led to Kagome. I'd had these dreams during the weeks beforehand, you see…in the dreams, I never saw her face, but those eyes of hers…those eyes haunted me. And when I found her there in that filthy alley, her eyes so full of hurt and pain, but still so pure and loving - how could I desert her? And I could hear Izayoi's voice in my head, telling me to care for this tiny human…it always leads back to Izayoi.”

 

“Izayoi? What does Inu-Yasha's mother have to do with this?”

 

“I loved her with all of my heart,” the youkai explained. “And when she died, it nearly destroyed me. Izayoi…” he paused, and Kikyo heard the catch in his voice. “She wanted more children.”

 

“Humans breed far more easily than youkai,” Kikyo noted, “which is a good thing, given our shorter life spans. Did you agree to this, Taisho?”

 

“I wanted to, but no,” he sighed, and Kikyo could hear the regret. “Inu-Yasha's birth almost killed her, and her health was never the same afterward. How could I selfishly ask her to risk her life again? I told myself to be content with the two fine sons I had and to not waste time wishing for a houseful of pups.” His tone grew bitter. “In the end, it didn't matter. Izayoi died, not from childbirth, but at the hands of my enemies.”

 

“I see,” Kikyo whispered. She meant it. Cautiously, she leaned across the desk and touched the demon's cheek with shaking fingertips. Her fingers came away damp. This youkai…this youkai had shed tears for Kagome, while she, Kikyo, would not, could not. Her head bowed in apology. “Forgive me, Taisho,” she said humbly.

 

A warm hand clasped her own, strong fingers wrapping her slender digits around the Shikon no Tama. “You are the protector of the Jewel, are you not?” Taisho asked when she looked at him in shock. “I trust you will guard it well.”

 

Trust. After all that had been said between them, after revealing her foolish desire to rid the world of the Jewel with what she now saw as a truly selfish wish…Taisho trusted her? The very thought made her head reel. “It is safest under your care,” Kikyo murmured as she placed the Jewel back in his hand. She spun on her heel and left the room before she had a chance to regret her actions.

 

……

 

The voice was growing louder, more insistent.

 

Strike now!

 

The voice had to be obeyed, no matter the personal cost.

 

……

 

Sango was just placing the soup on the stove when a loud crash reverberated throughout the mansion, followed by an eerie silence. “What was that?” she whispered to Kohaku. He shook his head in answer, his face a deathly pale.

 

Sango grabbed the nearby meat cleaver and cautiously pushed against the kitchen door. It didn't budge. With rising panic, she beat against the frame. “A barrier's been erected!” she cried, realizing why she couldn't hear what was happening in the rest of the house. “I think we're under attack! See if you can help me tear down the spell, Kohaku!”

 

Perhaps her newly-mated status had heightened her senses, or perhaps the years of intense training she had received as a taijiya had not deserted her completely. Sango could never be sure just what tipped her off, but when the current of air around her changed, she jumped.

 

The sound of ripping cloth was followed by a stinging sensation along her arm. Sango looked from the floor, where she could see droplets of blood, to her brother, who was staring at her like he didn't recognize her. “Kohaku?” she cried, completely confused as to why her beloved sibling would attack. In shock, Sango watched her brother remove another knife from the kitchen counter. He slowly moved toward her, his eyes blank and empty.

 

Kohaku was going to kill her. With a shriek, Sango dodged his stabbing arm, warding off the blows with her soup pot. As he kicked her makeshift shield away, she grabbed Kohaku's wrist and hung on tightly. When had her brother become so strong? “No, Kohaku!” she screamed as he twisted the knife back, aiming for her rounded belly. “Why are you doing this? Kohaku, stop! Somebody help me!” Sango yelled, knowing it was useless to call for assistance. The barrier at the door meant no one could hear her.

 

As suddenly as he had started, Kohaku stopped. “Sango?” he gasped, the knife falling from his hand and hitting the floor with a loud clatter. Her brother reached forward, bringing back fingers covered with the blood from the cut on her arm. “No, Sango!” he wailed, backing away from her in horror.

 

At that moment, the barrier to the kitchen burst apart and Kikyo pushed her way into the room. “Kohaku, stop!” the reincarnated miko yelled. “Don't hurt her!”

 

A frightened look sprung into Kohaku's eyes. Without another word, he ran from the kitchen. Before the two women could react, they heard the slamming of the front door, followed by the sound of a starting engine.

 

Sango was the first to recover. “Come on, he's getting away!” she yelled, jumping up and grabbing the stunned miko by her collar. “We have to stop him!”

 

“Are you crazy?” Kikyo choked out as she was dragged along behind Sango. “He just tried to kill you! I could see right through the barrier - he attacked you!”

 

“Then you saw him drop the knife right before you came in the kitchen!” Sango retorted, pulling Kikyo out the front door. “He's being controlled by someone, but he's fighting it!” She shoved the miko into the passenger side of Inu-Yasha's car and climbed behind the steering wheel. “Where do I drive?”

 

“How should I know?” Kikyo shouted as she reached over to undo the door lock. “I have to get back inside the mansion,” she grunted. “That was a multiple-barrier spell that was cast; every room in the house could be blocked!”

 

Sango squeezed the miko's arm, preventing her from escaping. “Let Kaede and Miroku take care of it; you're coming with me,” she growled, sounding very much like her hanyou mate. “You know something about this, dammit! I could tell by the look on your face when you ran in the kitchen! What's happening to my brother?”

 

Kikyo gulped audibly. “He's probably being controlled by Naraku,” she sputtered. “Drive toward the inner part of the city.”

 

“What's in the city?” Sango pressed further as she put the car into gear and peeled out of the driveway. “And how did Naraku get his hooks into Kohaku?”

 

“The Humanistas are planning something big in the inner city tonight; Kohaku's been involved with them for years - watch out!” Kikyo yipped as Sango took a sharp corner. “Taisho knew about it; he said as much! And shouldn't we have brought someone else along - like maybe Inu-Yasha?”

 

“No time; we need to catch up with Kohaku before he does something really stupid!” Sango insisted. With a quick motion, she pulled at the skin on her injured arm, and reopened the wound. She then hung her injured arm outside the window of the car and shook it. “Besides, Inu-Yasha will follow as soon as he gets a whiff of my blood. He won't be far behind, I promise!”

 

……

 

The barrier to Miroku's room dissolved, and the former monk burst through the opening with Kagura right behind him. “Kaede!” Miroku gasped as the older woman passed him in the corridor. “That spell affected all of the rooms - we need to free the others!”

 

“You take care of it; I'm going to see if the Master is all right!” Kaede ordered as she rushed toward Taisho's room.

 

Jakotsu appeared beside him, breathing heavily. “Where is everyone?” Miroku asked the guard. “I need to know which rooms to hit first!”

 

“Inu-Yasha is still in his room, and Kanna is in Sango's old room.” A short distance away, Sesshomaru's roar interrupted the guard's report. “Kagome must have been able to destroy her own barrier, then, and I'm sure she'll see to the children,” Jakotsu finished hurriedly before he raced off in the direction of Taisho's room.

 

With a pounding heart, Miroku ran first to release Kanna. The petite void was extremely upset, crying and calling for Kohaku. Leaving Kanna in the arms of her sister, Miroku headed to Inu-Yasha's quarters, knowing the hanyou would need his assistance in dismantling the barrier.

 

“Where is she?” the half-demon yelled as he sliced through the remains of the barrier. “Sango! Where - ”

 

“What is it, Inu-Yasha?” Miroku asked as the hanyou stiffened, putting his nose to the air. A deep growl erupted from Inu-Yasha, sending Miroku up against the wall in a panic. He sounded so…feral, and his eyes were changing from gold to a deep red. Miroku could see faint markings on Inu-Yasha's cheeks, the same jagged purple stripes that Taisho possessed.

 

“She's been hurt!” Inu-Yasha snarled angrily. “I smell her blood! Sango!”

 

Miroku followed, feeling next to useless as Inu-Yasha tracked Sango's scent to the kitchen and then out the front door. “Inu-Yasha,” he pleaded as he watched the distressed half-demon's sensitive nose twitch, “don't you think we should consult with your father before you take off after her?”

 

“Not a chance! The fumes are heading in the direction of the inner city, and Kikyo's with her! Tell the others where I've gone!” the hanyou yelled as he sprinted down the driveway.

 

Miroku returned inside to find the others assembled in the front room. They were gathered in clusters, speaking in frantic, hushed tones. “What's going on?” Miroku asked Kaede, a feeling of dread pooling in the pit of his stomach as he observed the group. The two children were clutching Kagome tightly, scared expressions on their tiny faces. Kanna was crying silently in Kagura's arms, while Sesshomaru stood a short distance away with a troubled look in his eyes. And Taisho…Taisho was kneeling on the floor, his slumped upper body supported by the two guards.

 

“Taisho-sama?” Miroku questioned hesitantly. His master looked like death. “Taisho-sama, what has happened?”

 

“Her blood is all over the kitchen - I miscalculated,” the demon answered hoarsely, shaking his head as he spoke. “I knew he was too far gone, I knew he would betray us, but I thought…I thought he'd come after me, not her!”

 

“Her…you mean Sango?” Miroku asked. “Who has attacked Sango, Taisho-sama?”

 

“Kohaku has done this,” Taisho answered mournfully, his face losing all of its color. “How could I have endangered my Darling Sango?” With a shudder, the youkai slumped over in a faint.

 

……

 

Those who had enjoyed the week's relative calm within the inner city were not deceived. They knew the ugly truth: the tensions that boiled and simmered just below the surface could erupt at any moment. And that moment came as a series of events, each serving to intensify the problem.

 

It began with a routine police stop and a broken taillight. From there, it descended to a series of traded insults, followed by the resisting of arrest. Unfortunately, the altercation between the human detainee and the youkai arresting officers did not go unobserved in that racially-tense part of town. Within a brief span of time, the fight had escalated into a mob scene, complete with officers calling for backup.

 

It was at this point that the newly appointed police commissioner made his decision, a move that would prove controversial for decades to come. Instead of allowing the local force to disperse the mob, the commissioner called in the National Defense Forces. Armed with live ammunition instead of the customary tear gas and rubber bullets, the army moved swiftly to crush the growing riot.

 

The various members of the Human Liberation Movement had somehow received immediate notification of the events, and they were at the scene to greet the soldiers in a deadly barrage. Word spread rapidly from neighborhood to neighborhood, with citizens rising up in fear and panic. Nothing less than civil war had begun.

 

It was a laughing demon who witnessed the destruction as the inner part of the city burst into flames. Humans and youkai alike were incredibly easy to manipulate, Naraku observed. Honest natures and caring hearts were so vulnerable; what a great joy to know he possessed neither of these attributes…

 

 

He recalled the unholy glee he had felt when the two women raced from the mansion to chase Kohaku, followed shortly thereafter by Taisho's hanyou son. “Thank you, dear boy,” Naraku chuckled quietly, speaking to the absent Kohaku. He knew Kohaku could hear him, even though the human was now consciously trying to block the thoughts being sent to his tortured mind. “I have yet to see a strategy that works as well as `Divide and Conquer.'”

 

……

 

A/N: We're getting close to the end, folks…which is a good thing, because I'm dying to get back to work on Letters. *Lavender dodges a blow from Sophie-chan* Oh yeah, I can't wait to work on Naraku's Angel's II, either, heh heh.

 

Thanks to the uber-beta, TitianWren, and to all of my readers! I loff you, I really, really, loff you!