Summary: When a war breaks out over Japan can two enemies surpass the odds? S/K
Rating: M
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or "River Lullaby" by Amy Grant. Any war references that come from stories told by Holocaust survivors.
Warning: This story has a lot of similarities to the Holocaust, and I mean no offense to anyone, but I really wanted to show what happens in a war and what better than the worst one that everyone knows. Also I haven't a clue what Japan was like in the 1930-40s so I'm making everything about the time period there up. This story will be sad and gruesome, but I swear for a happy ending.
Title: To Love Thy Enemy
(Prologue – year 1939)
Once there was a grand country named Japan. Humans from all over strived to be an apart of its beauty. But all was not well. The land had become divided. The Western lands were ruled by a group of powerful demons, whose hatred for humans grew with every season. To the East was the land of human's rules by powerful priestess. Each side kept to their own, both ignoring each other, until the Day of Clouds.
The leader of the priestess, Kikyo, met the western leader Inuyasha at the border of the lands. They were trying to negotiate a treaty to protect their lands and rights. But one the third day of treaties something went wrong. Kikyo was returned to the main shrine with a large gash across her chest. She died within the hour and all the while claimed Inuyasha had betrayed them. The clouds gathered above the land and rumbled with approaching thunder. The demons swarmed the land killing all who opposed them and capturing the rest. They claimed to have been wronged and the humans would pay. The men and women were separated from there girls and forced away. The humans never stood a chance.
This is the story of two lovers. One was destined to fear, one was destined to hate, they both were destined to love.
(Day of clouds – Kagome's POV)
Kagome sat on the floor of the shrine, an armed wrapped around each child. They were playing hide and seek when Rin had screamed. It had taken only a moment for Kagome to get there, but Rin was already crying. A shrine maid closed the door behind her and stepped into the hall where Kagome was trying to console the grieving child. Shippo had to hit his brakes to keep from crashing into the lady.
"What happened?" Asked the 10 year old. Kagome glanced up at the young woman pleading for an answer to the little girl's strange behavior.
"Kikyo is dead." Replied the maid, her voice solemn.
"What!" Said Kagome her jaw dropped slightly in shock.
"Kikyo was arranging treaties with the demon tribe's leader, Inuyasha when she was suddenly attacked. She managed to make it back here, but she wasn't strong enough. Kikyo is gone." She said her voice gruff with grief. Shippo dropped to his knees next to Rin taking her in his arms and rocking her gently back and forth.
"What are we going to do?" Asked Kagome he own tears threaten to fall.
"I don't know, I just don't know." The woman said turning and stepping back into the room from which she had left. Kagome bit her lip to keep from crying and wrapped herself around the children. What would happen to the humans now without Kikyo's ability to defend the humans? Her powers were legendary and now she was gone, what would happen?
Scooping up the children Kagome took them to her room and placed them on the bed.
"What's gonna happen to us?" Asked Rin wiping her eyes in a futile attempt to stop the tears. Kagome picked up the little girl and pulled her into her lap kissing her forehead lightly.
"I don't know baby, but everything's gonna be ok." Kagome rocked Rin making shushing sounds at her sniffles. Hoping to clam the little girl she began to sing a lullaby.
"Hush now, my baby,
Be still love, don't cry
Sleep like you're rocked by the stream
Sleep and remember
My lullaby
And I'll be with you when you dream"
Shippo yawned and slipped under the covers of the bed watching Kagome rock Rin back and forth.
"Drift on a river
That flows through my arms
Drift as I'm singing to you
I see you smiling
So peaceful and calm
And holding you, I'm smiling, too
Here in my arms
Safe from all harm
Holding you, I'm smiling, too"
Indeed she was smiling. It was a soft sad smile, but still a smile.
"Hush now, my baby,
Be still love, don't cry
Sleep like you're rocked by the stream
Sleep and remember this river lullaby
And I'll be with you when you dream
I'll be with you when you dream."
Kagome watched the sleeping girl in her arms. She was so precious to her. They were all orphans. Kagome, Rin, Shippo. They all were orphaned at a very early age and they had banned together. Sighing Kagome shook her head and lifted Rin into her arms. Walking over to the side of the bed she placed Rin under the covers and blew out the light. Shuffling to the door she took one last look at the children before stepping out into the hallway.
(Same time – Sesshoumaru's POV)
Sesshoumaru sat in the empty meeting room a cup of coffee in his hands. So it as true, Inuyasha was gone. He had only been gone three hours. It wasn't until he returned home Naraku pulled Sesshoumaru aside and informed him of his brother's death, purified by an arrow, what a way to go. Inuyasha shouldn't have even been there, he had been just a general, it should have been Naraku that went, but he had assumed Inuyasha could handle any problems. Sesshoumaru finished off the last of his coffee and stood up. Adjusting his fur n his shoulder her left the room. Now Sesshoumaru was in charge of the army and he would see to it the humans would pay for his loss.
Walking outside he greeted the awaiting demons already gathering at the talk of a war.
"Demons of the Western Lands. Thank you for your support. We will get our revenge, go spread the word and gather your arms, we are going to war." Stated Sesshoumaru from the door of the palace behind him.
"We leave first thing in the morning." He said then turned and reentered the Palace. They would pay.
Sesshoumaru gracefully walked to his room and removed his armor, his bags already packed. Tomorrow they would ride to the Shrine and demand the head of the wench that killed his brother. Sesshoumaru sat on the side of the bed staring blankly at the floor. It's not that he even cared for his brother much, but still they were family. Sesshoumaru was so lost in his thoughts he didn't hear a knock at the door.
"Sesshoumaru are you up?" Asked a voice through the door. Sesshoumaru jumped slightly at the sudden voice. He momentarily debated feigning sleep but sighed and decided against it, he couldn't sleep anyways.
"Come in." He called turning to face the door.
Naraku stepped quietly into the room and closed the dorr behind him.
"Ah Sesshoumaru, how are you?" He said wondering over to lean against the wall in fron of the demon.
"Well as can be expect." Replied Sesshoumaru eyeing the lord suspiciously. Naraku nodded crossing his arms over his chest.
"I've heard you are already prepared for the war, good. Tomorrow when you go to the shrine kill everyone. It's time we took back what was ours. This won't just be a revenge war Sesshoumaru, this will be a war against all humans. Do you understand?"
"A war aginst all humans?' Asked Sesshoumaru raising an eyebrow in surprise.
"Yes, against ALL humans. Our land were striped for our fathers and destroyed by the people. We must reclaim it and restore our honor. Are you with me?" Asked Naraku his eyes boring a hole in the general head.
"You're in charge, sir. I'm a general sent to obey you're orders, why do you care for my approval?" Was his only reply.
"I don't, but if you're going to fight for me I want to make sure you understand the terms." Replied Naraku casually.
"Very well. All will be done as you wish it." Replied Sesshoumaru flicking his long silver hair over his shoulder. Narku nodded and turned to leave.
"Good. See you bright and early in the morning then." And with that he left.
(Same time – Kagome's POV)
Kagome wandered the halls for many hours he worry making her unable to sleep. Now that Kikyo was gone the shrine was vulnerable. Only 4 other miko's protected the palace and their own strength could only hold off so many. True Kagome was a miko, but she was untrained, she couldn't control what her powers did. She would be of no use to anyone here, Kikyo was trying to train he before she left. They had only been practicing for two weeks, not nearly enough to get her anywhere.
And of course there was Rin and Shippo to think of. The only reason they had been allowed to stay here was because of Kikyo. The shrine didn't like to take in orphans, but rather send them to the orphanage down the road. Kagome had refused to come be a miko without them and the shrine had had a serious lack of miko's to help out. Kagome was worried they'd send them away now.
Sighing Kagome finally collapsed on a couch in the living room. She should sleep, what good would worrying about it do tonight? Taking a calming breath Kagome closed her eyes and trying to sleep.
Kagome about fell off the couch 4 hours later. People were screaming and running about the place as though there was a fire. Kagome staggered from her position on the couch an look outside. A see of ants were descending on the hours. Kagome stared harder at the site. No, not ants, demons.
I hope you enjoy the first chapter. Please let me know if you have any questions! Reviews are welcomed.
Notes: If anyone is wondering why Shippo is in the human lands it'll be explained later.
Preview:
"Rin wake up! Shippo grab her we got to leave now!"
"Why?" Asked Shippo sleepily tugging on Rin's arm.
"The demons are here!"
Aslan