InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Rights of Passage ❯ Conspircies in the Works ( Chapter 1 )

 

 

 

CONSPIRENCIES IN WORK

 

It was perfect, he should have thought of earlier, much earlier. To use the Koumajutsu San'akudou Shiren Right of Passage to rid himself of the last obstacle that was between him and his prize, The Western Lands. There was no way that it could fail and there is no way that his lord would see it coming. After all he was his friend and comrade in arms, at least that is what has he lead Sesshoumaru to believe all these years. A Slew smile graced the demons lips as he continued down the dark halls to the chambers ahead of him.

 

Entering the rooms he lit the lantern that was hanging on the wall and went deeper into the room, which held rows upon rows of scrolls and parchments that were written by many generations' demon scholars, necromancers or lords and politicians from before. The scrolls that were held in this room held thousands of important documents that ranged from personal letters, declarations of war, correspondences between nations, laws that were written and re-written and decrease that were made and broken, etc, etc. etc.

 

He walked a little bit more until he reached the row that held all the scrolls written by Inutaichio. He skimmed through the various scrolls until he came to the one he was looking for. Taking it from the shelve he unraveled the scroll and took a quick glance at it. Seeing that he had the correct document he quickly rolled it up and shoved it in his hatori, letting out a frustrated sigh. This would prove to be a bigger challenge than he thought as he made his way out of the room.

 

Kaigamaru exited the dark section that was below the palace and began to climb the stairs the where the councils chambers where at. He went down the hall to his own chambers. Before entering he took a quick glance of the hallways and shut the door closed. “You were right; it would seem that the late Lord Inutaishio declared the Koumajutsu San'akudou Shiren an unlawful act that is punishable by death.” Kaigamaru said before turning to address the old demon behind him. “This complicates things Gariyoku” Turning to the demon who was sitting down calmly sipping his tea.

 

“So it would seem that way” addressing the younger silvered haired dog demon. “I think you are failing to see the bigger picture.”

 

“What are you talking about, do you suggest that we forge a document that says the complete opposite!”

 

“You know as well as I do that these scrolls are difficult to forge and even more difficult to destroy.” Gariyoku stood from his seat and gave a dead cold stare at Kaigamaru with grey eyes. “No. I suggest a more tactful method”

 

“And what would that be?” Kaigamaru asked, curious to know what Gariyoku had in mind.

 

“Simple, convince the council of Lord Sesshoumaru inability to rule the Western Lands.”

 

“You must be joking” Said Kaigamaru “It would be a difficult case to prove.”

 

“Is it? Tell me something, where is Sesshoumaru right now as we speak?” He asked the younger demon.

 

“The last message I got from that retainer of his was that they were still pursuing that hanyou, Naraku.” Kaigamaru answered him rather simply. “What are you getting at?”

 

“It seems to me that lately Lord Sesshoumaru is more interested in either settling personal vendettas with a demon that has no real power, or trying to kill his own half brother for a sword, instead of governing his lands.” He said to the demon in front of him “Trust me when I tell you that this has been a topic that has touched every now and then by the council elders”

 

“Oh?” Now he had Kaigamaru's full attention. “What have you been doing…..dear uncle?”

 

“Doing what I do best, recent tensions between the borders of the Western Lands and the Mountain Highlands have been escalating lately, I have talked to a few trusted members about our lords constant absence from the palace, take my word cousin, these incidents don't with out question. The elders do wonder why Sesshoumaru is more interested in settling pointless matter that has nothing to do with the well being of the Western Lands.” The elder youkai said as he gracefully walked over to Kaigamaru “Needless to say they are not pleased with his performance, some have been bold to say that a change may be in order”

 

“The only way a change in lordship can be legally recognized is if I or one of the other members of the court makes a motion to challenge Sesshoumaru to the death! There is not one member who can physically match Sesshoumaru!” Kaigamaru spat at his older cousin at such a suggestion.

 

Gariyoku stood is position calmly waiting for the younger demon to finish his outburst. “Honestly! If you want to be Lord then you mustn't allow such small obstacles to get in your way.” He said snidely to his nephew, the wanna be Lord of the West. “Learn to look at the bigger picture and pay attention!” Grabbing the document from his cousin's hands “Do you honestly think I would waste my energies convincing rival demon tribes in creating border disturbances, and making idol chit chat against Sesshoumaru's ruler ship for No Reason!?”

 

“You've been planning this for quite time?”

 

“Of course, you don't conspire to over through and murder the ruling lord overnight” Said Gariyoku “Be aware that what we are about to do will require great caution and patience from our end, remember, if Sesshoumaru finds out what we are up to, he will have our heads for treason.”

 

Kaigamaru gave a smug laugh at that thought “Please, is he's many hundreds of miles away chasing a.. a.. a half demon!”

 

“That doesn't mean that these walls do not have ears!” Gariyoku stated, Sesshoumaru has spies, especially in the Palace.

 

“Very well, then what to we do next?”

 

“ Tomorrow, I will bring up an emergency council session

to discuss the issues at hand.” I'm sure once we plead our case, the elders will be more than willing to declare the mandate that Inutaishio wrote invalid.” Tightening his grip on the scroll, Gariyoku continued. “Once that is done, we convince the council that Sesshoumaru has to perform the Koumajutsu San'akudou Shiren, I am quite sure they won't object, especially with his lack of performance recently.” Gariyoku concluded.

 

 

**** ~~~ ****

 

 

The following day the meeting to took place behind closed doors in the main council chambers that were adjacent to the thrown room. The room was large and well adorned with textiles, paintings and ancient statues complementing the well lit room in the traditional royal Japanese style. The room gave an impression of power. In the center of the room was a large elaborate rectangle shaped wooden table that was adorned in white and black gold that perfectly matched the wood it accompanied and the room.

 

Seated in their plush cushions, the demon elders of the council discussing over many issues many issues that concerned the Western Lands most were of little concern, like humans occupying and cultivating the lands, taxes, trades with the Northern Lowlands Youkai and their humans. However one did come up heavily, that began a heated debate that had lasted through out the whole morning.

 

By bringing up the border attacks, Gariyoku began to carefully manipulate the issue to his favor. It was at this stage that he brought up questionable questions and questionable suggestions which made the council uncomfortable. “Have you lost your mind Gari! What you have just said is grounds for treason.”

 

Dressed in a yellow haori and hakamas, along with his armor, Gariyoku began to defend his statements. “What is so treasonous about what I just said. Hmn. Whether you agree with me or not the fact remains that our lands are in danger from the Mountain Highland demons tribes, many who are servants of Lord Soukachi. All I am saying is that Lord Sesshoumaru should be here, keeping his lands from war, instead off chasing a hanyou through out Japan!” Slamming his clawed hand on the table.

 

“You are implying that Sesshoumaru is no longer fit to rule these lands. You forget that you, we, all of us are here to serve our lord and to see to his lands are safe. If he chooses to pursue other affairs, then that is his business and his business alone.” Spat the demon from the other end of the table. “Who are you to question our lord?”

 

“And who are you not to question him! You seem to forget that our service is not for the benefit of Sesshoumaru, but for the benefit of the Western Lands. We have as much of an obligation to see to the welfare of our lands as Sesshoumaru does. And if that means questioning his leadership or even suggesting a change of leadership. Then so be it!!”

 

“You insolent fool! You will silence that forked tongue of yours. I will personally severe that treasonous head yours and deliver it to my lord personally.” Dared Hetaki as he stood up and reached for his sword.

 

Standing up and reaching for his own sword Gariyoku complied by flaring his own aura. “Is that a challenge Hetaki?”

 

“Indeed!” growling at the Inu demon. He began to increase his own aura. Both demons were standing in front of each other refusing to back down until.

 

“Enough!” said and older beared demon. “Both of you sit down now!” Still growling at each other the demons did as they were told. Once the tension settled the Oldest of the Elders began to talk. “These are precarious times and we can not show are enemies any sign of weakness by challenging the lord. If such an action is done, it will only be sees as breakdown in leadership and will leaves us open to not only political attacks, but possible invasions by neighboring lands.” Speaking in a tone that was gruff and authorative, he brought the council to attention.

 

Once he was satisfied that he had everyone's attention, the old demon, Yousha, continued to address the council. “Hetaki, I understand that your loyalties lie with Sesshoumaru and that you have been one of his closest friends. If I were you, I too would be greatly insulted by Gariyoku's words. Even now, I can not help but feel slightly angered by your remarks Gari, and I am sure that Hetaki and I are not the ones in this room feel the same.” Giving Gariyoku a stern look of disapproval. “However, I can not over look the facts that have been brought to our attention”

 

“Your not actually going to entertain this Yousha-san!” Hetaki protested.

 

“I'm sorry, but Gariyoku is right. It seems that lately, Sesshoumaru's priorities are not in order, he is more preoccupied with pursuing his personal wars then seeing to the well being of the Western Lands.” Said Yousha sadly. “The pup has grown irresponsible and careless and his behavior has also gotten worse from what I heard. I hear that his arrogance has even surpassed that his father's”

 

“So very true” Said another member sitting besides Yousha “His arrogance is unfathomable, he feels that his truly superior, that no one can contest his power. Up to a point he is right.”

 

“My lords great in strength and power, he is the supreme Taiyoukai through out all of Japan.” Hetaki boasted “No one can defeat him, and those who have tried have only met death.” Hetaki was enraged that more and more members of the council were beginning to question Sesshoumaru. How dare them!

 

Gariyoku was smirking on the inside while kept a neutral face on the outside, pleased that his plan was moving they way he wanted. `Perfect, this going as I hoped it would ' He sat there watching all the members of the council debate in Sesshoumaru's status as The Western Lord. Soon one by one the members faith in Sesshoumaru began to collapse as they all judge his characteristics negatively. Mostly due Gariyoku's influence. Eventually all the members were seeing the facts in Gariyoku's favor and began to formulate a resolve. All except one. Hetaki was still unconvinced.

 

“It seems to me that the late lord Inutaishio had those exact same flaws in his own youth. As I remember correctly he changed quite dramatically after he performed the Koumajutsu San'akudou, for the better if I may add.” Gariyoku began to move forward with the bolder part of his plan.

 

The very idea of bringing up such a foul test shocked the council. “Gari, you forget, that the Koumajutsu San'akudou Shiren has been outlawed. With out a doubt it would be high treason to suggest that! Not mention that this barbaric ritual is very dangerous.” Said another member dressed in a formal Royal blue Kimono.

 

“Yes I am aware that the Lord Inutaishio made the right of passage unlawful to enforce, I was there when he signed it with his own blood. As were many of us! However, you forget the reason why such a barbaric ritual was creates in the first place.” Gariyoku suggested. “You also forget that the council has the power to nullify that law and reinstate the Tests in extreme circumstances, such as this.”

 

This ensued another round of arguments that exploded through out the room. Each council member giving their reasons as to why they should not perform the sacred test, while others felt that maybe it was time for the Lord to prove his worth. The argument seemed to escalate until Yousha brought it to attention.

 

“Unfortunately were are now burdened with a dreadful decision that we all hoped would have never arised.” Said the old demon. “The recent attacks on the border village has left several questions. Are they attacking to invade our lands? Are they attacking to cripple our borders or lure us in a war? Are they aware of Sesshoumaru's absence and choose to attack now because they feel we are now venerable with out our lord? The recent questions as brought up issue of Sesshoumaru worth as well, an issue we can not deny, is serious. We all know that Sesshoumaru's pride and honor is very important to him, and that he willing to put those ahead of the Western Lands in order to defend them. His vendetta he has engaged with this hanyou, Naraku, is proof of that. Yet at what cost? It seems that he is willing to put the interest of the Western Lands aside to appease his own selfish purposes. Driven by his arrogance, he will see no fault in his motives. However, Sesshoumaru does have good qualities, there just over looked by that ego of his.” Yousha said heavily, not liking the words that were flowing out of his lips “Gari is right, our loyalties must be for the Western Lands and what is best for them, not for a young impetuous pup who feels he can abuse his power by neglecting his people. It saddens me to say this, but even I have lost faith in our lord's worth. With a heavy heart, I declare that we move forth with the Koumajutsu San'akudou Shiren.” Standing to his feet Yousha made the motion. “Its time for us to cast our votes” Glaring at the members he began to call upon the council members one by one. “Jigomu”

 

Taking a few seconds to think about the decision he about to make and live with the demon rose and gave is answer “Ay”

 

“Mueken”

 

“Ay” He stead in a quite tone, feeling shamed with his vote as he stood with his head lowered.

 

“Tachi.”

 

“Ay”

 

“Maktzu”

 

“Ay” Slowly each member stood at their feet giving their approval for the Koumajutsu San'akudou.

 

“Hetaki” hearing his name he was caught between a difficult position, the thought of forcing his beloved lord into doing this was beyond comprehension, Sesshoumaru was like a brother to him and very thought about going against his friend was enough to make him sick. Yet, he knew that there was some truth in both Yousha and Gari's words. He slowly stood up to his feet, towards his decision, a journey that felt as if it took forever. Taking a deep breath he uttered his vote that felt as if we was spitting acid from his mouth. “Ay” `Forgive me my lord' He felt dirty and unworthy of Sesshoumaru's friendship.

 

“Gariyoku”

 

Standing to his feet he declared his vote “Ay”

 

“The Ay's have it then, the vote is unanimous, kami of mercy on us all.” Yousha felt as if signed Sesshoumaru's life away “Gari, research everything we have on the Koumajutsu San'akudou, meet me tomorrow so that we may start making the preparations for the trials. Until then the meeting is adjourned. If you will excuse me, I think I need a drink” He turned leaving the council room to retire to his chambers.

 

Everyone slowly left the room, leaving Garioyku standing alone in the chambers, out he gave the appearance that he felt bad about his decision, however, inside he ecstatic `couldn't planned this better, it was easy convincing those fools.' Chuckling to himself, Garioyku turned on his heels and left the chambers. “Now, to get to work!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kachi

 

Kaigaaru

 

Koumajutsu Ashiren

 

Shien

 

san'akudou

 

shikenjigoku