Welcome, wayward reader, to my new story! As the summery says, This little fic takes place 30 years after Naraku's defeat. I hope you enjoy my little endeavor! Happy reading!
Disclaimer: I own an adorable little Yasha-chibi but other than that . . . I got nothin'.
"Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day."
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
"I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end."
― Margaret Thatcher
CHAPTER START
An ear twitched, fabric rustled. The tension was thick and overbearing. Kagome smiled stiffly at the scowling wolf demon across from her.
"We were all early so it's only natural for us to have to wait."
The half demon sitting next to her scoffed un-elegantly.
"'sno use tellin' an inpatient, flee ridden pup that."
Kagome snapped her head in his direction and scowled in reprimand. He ignored her.
"Thick headed wolf doesn't know the meaning of the word wait."
Said wolf turned wrathfully at the insult to his person.
"What was that mutt? I could sit here all day if I wanted to!" He paused and looked back at Kagome. "I just think we could get started without this friend of yours. What sort of person is he anyway? You haven't told us a thing.". Kagome sighed.
Things had been better between Koga and Inuyasha in recent years. Inuyasha wasn't as easily riled to arguments with the wolf since he had finally mated with Kagome. Koga wasn't a complete idiot: he knew not to touch another demon's chosen mate and backed off after he smelled the change in Kagome's sent, if not a bit reluctantly. He would never admit it but he had a genuine affection for the girl-turned-woman and it was hard to do the right thing and close the door on its more explicate avenues.
Kagome looked at him and shook her head. "I don't think I should say anything. This friend of mine is very secretive and has only agreed to join us because of the danger to the nearby villages.".
Koga's face scrunched up in mild disgust, "So, he's a big softy then. What kinda demon cares that much about humans anyway? And if he's as strong as you say he is then why the hell haven't we heard of him?".
Kagome worked hard to keep her face neutral and give nothing away. "As I said they're secretive."
Vague answer, she knew, but she just couldn't help herself. She was just about vibrating with anticipation. Gathered in this room were the most powerful members of the demon world. Of course Inuyasha and herself were present. They had made quite a name for themselves running around the country, slaying uncooperative demons and gathering jewel shards. The two of them had actually organized the whole meeting. Well, Kagome mostly. Inuyasha would admit in a half of a heartbeat that she was the more diplomatic of the pair. And every ounce of diplomacy and decorum was needed to round up this bunch.
Koga was probably the easiest to convince to come. Kagome would be lying if she said she didn't pull on that lingering affection he had for her just a little. Nothing improper of course, there was no way she would ever betray Inuyasha, but she might have used her big brown eyes a little more than she usually did for those she considered strictly friends.
It was all for a good cause though. Danger was approaching. Danger that was greater than any figure in this room could deal with alone; even though certain proud demons would never admit it.
Then there was Daichi, a powerful but peaceful dragon demon, and his mate Kotoko, an ice demon with a kind heart but a quick temper. The two of them took some convincing to come out of hiding. Daichi especially preferred to stay out of the business of the world around him. They consented, however upon being confronted with the enormity of the danger and destruction that would take place if a certain someone was allowed to continue to gain power unchallenged. They had a cub, and both parents were fiercely protective of their little bundle of curiosity and smiles and would do anything to protect him.
The most difficult of the group to round-up was actually one of Kagome's own relatives. Well, really one of Inuyasha's relatives. Kagome was related to the cold, ruthless demon lord by marriage only. Sesshomaru was reluctant to work with anyone, more so with his half-demon brother. He and Inuyasha got along better now than they did before. Kagome suspected His recently-passed-on adopted daughter may have had something to do with that.
Rin had lived a full healthy life until the age of 28 when she contracted influenza. The night Sesshomaru had pounded on his half-brother's door with a feverish and wheezing young woman tucked protectively in his arm was a frightening one indeed. The demon lord knew nothing of human diseases and had brought his charge to the only human healer he trusted. Yes, trusted. He may not have been fond of his half-brother or his half-brother's mate, but even he trusted Kagome and had faith in her considerable skills.
Kagome acted immediately, recognizing the severity of the disease. She poured all of her knowledge as a healer and as a miko into the sick woman. But try as she might, Kagome could do nothing more than slow the progression of the sickness. She knew that would be the result from the beginning of course. Japan in this era simply didn't have the antibiotics required yet. It was a frightening illness in this age. But what frightened her more than the disease was the look in Sesshomaru's eyes that night. He looked so vulnerable and scared. Perhaps not to someone who wasn't used to seeing past his iron control, but it shook Kagome to her core.
The great dog demon had taken Rin's death hard. Everyone that knew her was devastated. She had won over the fondness of many of the demons in Sesshomaru's house. Her bright charm had been nigh irresistible. So much so that even Jaken was visibly upset at her passing.
In a strange way, Rin's death had brought Inuyasha and Sesshomaru closer together. Kagome believed that the demon lord was beginning to understand what it meant to love and then to lose those whom you love. A hard lesson for sure. But that experience may be the only thing that kept him in the large cave they had make-shifted into a conference room. At a glance, he hadn't changed a bit since the first time Kagome met him. But she knew his cold façade had been cracked and chipped in places lately. She hoped, for her brother-in-law's sake, that someone would come along and chisel it away for good.
Daichi looked up suddenly. "There's a horse approaching. Not a wild one but I don't scent a rider.". Kagome grinned and glanced sideways at her slightly-less-openly-amused mate. Obviously he was a co-conspirator in her little plan.
"You won't have to wait much longer now Koga."
Koga looked bemused. "Your friend is a domestic horse?". An eyebrow quirked, "I could understand a demon horse but I don't sense any youkai. Do you Daichi?".
Daichi shook his head. "It's definitely a normal horse.".
Kagome's grin turned impish. "Not the horse, idiot, the rider."
Now Koga looked triumphant. "But Daichi said there is no rider.".
"No, he said he scented no rider." Kagome corrected her friend patiently. She expected their confusion and it was hard to hide her amusement. She could hear the rapid trot of the horse hooves. Not much longer now. Kagome looked around at the expressions on the faces of those gathered and was pleased to find that even Sesshomaru looked expectant and slightly impatient.
The slight crunch and scuffle of footsteps could be heard approaching the cave. Kagome's friend was making a lot more noise than usual. No sense sneaking up on a peaceful gathering.
All the occupants of the cave were silent as this strange person that had no sent approached their current position. Kagome sensed a mixture of curiosity and wariness emanating from the gathered troop save her mate who was effectively concealing his amusement and impatience behind a thick mask of indifference. Kagome herself was having considerable difficulty sitting still. Fortunately for her, it was at that moment her friend chose to step into view.
"Good afternoon everyone." the figure spoke calmly. "I hope you haven't been waiting long.".
CHAPTER END
So, how was it? Good? Bad? Mediocre? Let me know.
I'm going to attempt to tamper with the original story as little as possible (Hopefully none at all). I would actually appreciate your help in this. If you see anything in this fic that you feel is untrue to the original story, please let me know. I can't promise I'll change it as it may be an important plot point, but I shall do my best!