Chapter Two: Defiance

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha

June 15th, 3001 B.C

Jamila sat out on the veranda of the east wing of the palace enjoying a nice bowl of assorted fruits. Her hand reached down to stroke the dark head of the dark haired child seated in her lap. She smiled down at the girl as she plucked a grape from the bowl and held up the fruit for her mother to eat. Jamila leaned down and ate the grape from her daughter's stubby little hand.

The little girl laughed before pulling another piece of fruit and held it up to her mother once again. Jamila took the fruit between her teeth, chewing happily as the little girl giggled delightfully once more.

Reaching down, Jamila stroked the girl's soft dark hair, sighing in complete happiness as the little girl looked up at her with sky blue eyes. That was something never seen before, even Jamila's eyes were not considered that unusual, when looking at her, most Agyptians stopped and gazed into those depths, mesmerized by strange hue of blue.

Jamila thought her eyes were the perfect color, but then again to Jamila everything about her daughter was perfect. Kamilah was perfection personified in her eyes.

Jamila picked up the ten month old child and cuddled her. She had never known that having and loving a child could make your heart swell and practically bleed love with every smile, every laugh, and every small giggle. Lifting her up, she smiled up at the child squealed.

Slowly bring her down, Jamila kissed both cheeks as Kamilah grasped two handfuls of her mother's hair. Jamila sat the little girl down in front of her, gently removing her hands from her hair. Taking the girls hands she leaned down to the little girl.

"Kamilah say mommy," she coached her.

Kamilah merely smiled making cooing noises to her mother.

"Come on sweet love, say mommy,"

Kamilah clapped her hands, giggling.

Jamila could not help but laugh at her daughter's antics. Only ten months old, she had not expected her to be able to say mommy, but she was close to saying it.

"Mistress Jamila,"

Jamila turned to Khepri who stood in the door way.

"Yes Khepri?" she asked.

"The Pharaoh calls for you. He wishes for you to meet some visitors,"

Jamila reached down and picked up her daughter who had crawled over to her leg and was pulling on her linen skirt. Propping the girl on her hip she turned her attention back to Khepri.

"Visitors?" Jamila asked, apprehension creeping into her voice.

It was the foreigners again, she just knew it was. Her husband had been trying over and over to get her to meet them and each time she had declined. Her husband seemed completely mesmerized by the foreigners and their strange things. She was not, nor would she condone his behavior. She knew those men were up to no good, had expressed her concerns to her hard headed husband and had only be yelled at by her husband.

"Yes Mistress, more foreigners from Japan," Khepri said.

Khepri was just as fearful of those men as her Mistress was. One of those men in particular she didn't trust. He was a tall, dark haired demon with piercing crimson eyes. He seemed to watch everyone and everything with a sick calculating look in his eyes.

The energy radiating off of that one was something incredibly foul, though he tried to hide it, however small bits of dark energy escaped his confines.

He was called himself Jikininki of the Kuro clan. With him was another demon, this one tall, silver haired and amber eyed by the name of Sounga of the Shiro clan. Though that one did not have dark energy oozing from his very being, Khepri still did not trust him, he seemed…..different. Not in a bad way, but not necessarily in a good way either. She might have been less worried if the men had come alone, but they had not.

They had brought along a small army. For protection they said. Khepri was not so sure that was the reason at all. Since they had arrived, she had had a sense of dread, a feeling of impending doom that she just could not shake no matter how hard she tried.

Something was going to happen soon and it scared her to death.

"Tell him I'll not meet these foreigners," Jamila said adjusting the antsy child on her hip, "If he wishes to speak to me I will be in the temple of Bes with Kamilah,"

Khepri bowed.

"Yes Mistress," she said before turning and hurrying away to do her Mistress' bidding.

The Pharaoh would not be pleased. Pharaoh Bomani was very, very taken with his new foreign friends. There was even talk of an alliance between the two countries, which had the people of Agyptia in an uproar. They, like Khepri, were weary of the new comers and their strange gifts. Agyptia was a small country located south of Japan. Being so small, it was an easy mark for countries wanting to expand. By inviting these people in they had put themselves at a great disadvantage, vulnerable to attack.

Khepri sighed. She just wanted those men gone.

Jamila sat in the open carriage with her daughter in her lap. The open carriage slowly trotted down the dirt road giving the people of Agyptia a clear view of their Queen and Princess. Jamila gently stroked the little girl's dark hair.

The temple of Bes was not new to Kamilah, even at her young age. Jamila visited the sacred temple everyday with her daughter, her grandmother's vision still fresh in her mind. Looking at the sweet girl, to Jamila, it was hard to believe that her daughter could be something evil, however, her grandmother was never wrong, and if she gave advice it was best to take it.

Jamila was no fool. She would not leave her daughter to such a fate. She would pray until her dying breath, and whether her daughter became evil or not, Jamila would not turn her back on her child, no matter what. She would protect her.

Since the day her grandmother had delivered the horrible news Jamila had not gone back to see any of her relatives, too afraid that they would look at her child as something to fear or ridicule. She would not subject Kamilah to that.

They traveled no more than a half hour before reaching the large stone structure. The temple of Bes was tall and complex, almost like a maze. As one of the mdjai helped Jamila down, Jamila started up the stone steps, child in arms. She walked up three steps when something stopped her cold. Someone or something was watching her.

She could feel its eyes, its dark disgusting energy crawling all over her. She felt soiled, unclean. Whatever was watching her was pure malice, dark and unquestionably evil. Jamila barely heard her child crying as eyes bored into her back.

She turned, her eyes trying to locate the source. Her eyes scanned the stone structures across the street. She could see nothing in the dark alleys between the structures but she knew, she just knew that whatever that was it was hiding somewhere in or around those buildings.

"What is wrong, Mistress?" one of the mdjai asked, his hand on the handle of sword as he too searched the area for a possible intruder or threat.

"Nothing…." Jamila said after brief hesitation.

A sharp increase of that malevolent energy nearly choked her. Pulling the crying little girl closer to her, she hurried up the stone steps of the temple. She could feel that energy following her as she ran, and for once, she was terribly frightened for her life, for the life of her child.

As she hurried up the steps, the mdjai guarding the door quickly opened the doors, inquiring looks on their face. Jamila ignored them as she ran inside the temple, not stopping until she reached the statue of Bes. Only then did she stop and shakily tend to her crying child.

OoOoOoOoO

She could sense him. They both could, the Queen and her daughter. He increased his malevolent energy ten fold, trying to consume, overwhelm both mother and daughter with his energy. He smiled as Queen Jamila began to run with Princess Kamilah. That child….she was the one. Queen Jamila could not run, nor could she keep the little Princess safe forever. They would have that child.

There was no doubt about it. With that idiot Pharaoh too distracted to see what was really going on, Princess Kamilah was theirs for the taking.

Turning away, he melted down into the shadows of the alley, heading back to his master. Using the shadows to travel, he moved swiftly through the city, weaving in and out of alleys and stone structures. Within minutes, he was at the entrance to the underground temple his master resided in. To many, it looked like a wall. A regular wall, but to those that knew of the temple knew its significance.

Reaching out, he merged his energy with the structure, slipping through the wall to the other side.

Safely inside, he began to pull away from the shadows, his body forming instantly. Once solid again, he walked down the stone steps towards the main entrance of the large underground temple. His deep blue eyes lit up with joy at the site before him. Oh he so loved walking down these steps, it gave him a clear view of his God Apep.

The statue was huge and made of pure gold. Perched upon a thorn was Apep whose body was that of a human body and the head of a snake. Torches along the stone walls illuminated the golden structure, bathing the stone temple in a golden hue. Shadows dance along the walls. At the foot of the statue were three individuals in white cloaks, worshipping Apep.

On a stone bed behind them lay the bloodied corpse of a man. His head, arms and legs were cut from his body. Each cloaked figure held up parts of the body. The individual on the right held up the severed legs, while the one in the middle held up the head and the one on the left held up the arms, offering them up to their God Apep. Their low, furious chanting reached his ears.

Bowing his head to the Golden statue before continuing on his way, he walked down the last few steps to a door on the left, just before the platform of worshipers. Closing the door behind him, he walked down the dimly lit corridor.

The flickering torches in the corridor illuminated the symbols and writing chiseled into the walls. He walked to what seemed like a dead end to the untrained eye and stopped. Placing his hand on the stone wall, he projected a small dose of energy into the symbols on the wall. The symbols on the walls down the corridor glowed a dark purple before the wall opened, revealing stone steps leading down into darkness.

Without a second thought he descended the stairs into the darkness; a smile on his face. After thousands of years of hiding in the shadows, of having their plans thwarted over and over, of years of frustration things were finally going their way.

With those foolish Youkai out looking for the Book of the Dead the trap had been set.

He walked down the stairs for no more than a minute before he came to large room. In contrast to the cave like design of the underground temple, this room was well lit and tastefully decorated in expensive silks and gold. The flooring was made up of tiles, something rare in Agyptia.

Two rows of white marble pillars, parallel to each other, towered over him as he walked between them, his eyes on the Agyptian seated on the golden throne, two female slaves sitting at each side of his leather sandal clad feet. A long, white ceiling length sheer silk cloth hung before the platform, slightly obscuring his view of the individuals behind the cloth.

He stopped before the stairs leading to the platform and kneeled down on one knee, arms to his side, head bent towards the ground.

"Have you confirmed that child is the one?" The male on the throne asked him.

"Yes, Master, Queen Jamila knows this as well," he said.

"I see," he said smiling, "that is good news indeed,"

Seeing his master was please, he lifted his head and looked up at his master. Master Adofo, his name meaning fighter, was an above average sized Agyptian. Tall and well muscled, he stood at least one head taller than normal Agyptians. Contrary to Agyptian customs, he did not shave his hair, but rather grew it shoulder length. Also contrary to Agyptian culture, he wore black. A black linen kilt covered the lower half of his body. Though he did not dress his entire body in black, just having his kilt in such a color was completely unacceptable.

White was considered a pure color, and only white clothing should grace the body which was why all Agyptians wore white linen clothing. Wearing black was considered to be impure, and was reserved for those that committed crimes, or had been tainted in some way.

It suited Master Adofo well. He was the most tainted being he had ever encountered. He oozed darkness and evil, even his gleaming blue eyes held malice in their depth.

"Have the Youkai made their move?" he asked his master.

"Nay, however I wish for you to give them a little……push. Begin phase one and," he said leaning back smugly in his seat, "when the time comes, you know what you must do. Do not fail me in this,"

"I will not, Master,"

"See that you do not," Adofo said.

"Yes Master,"

"You are dismissed,"

Bowing once more, he stood and left the room, retracing his steps back up to the surface. As the statue of Apep came into sight, he could not help but stop before it. The white cloaked worshipers from earlier had left, having cleaned up the sacred alter of all blood and flesh.

He kneeled before the statue's feet and placed his forehead on the cold hard stone.

"I worship thee with all the hate and evil of my heart. Bestow onto me your touch of darkness, distorted love and unparallel strength in the hopes that I may carry out your will," he said, "In the name of Apep, this is my prayer,"

Standing, he bowed to the statue before turning and walking away. Every time he prayed to his God he felt empowered, as though there was no obstacle he could not over come. With Apep on his side, there was naught he could no do. He would not fail.

OoOoOoOoO

Jikininki and Sounga kneeled before the Pharaoh Bomani, who sat regally on his throne. Of average height and build, he had a confident air about him, almost to the point of arrogance. He had a perfectly toned physique, tanned skin and deep blue eyes enhanced with kohl. His head was completely shaved and he wore a linen kilt embroidered with gold.

"Good morning, Pharaoh Bomani," Sounga said.

"Good morning Pharaoh," Jikininki echoed.

"Lord Jikininki, Lord Sounga! Welcome back my friends!" he said standing and walking towards the males.

Sounga and Jikininki stood as he approached. Touching both men on the shoulders he smiled.

Sounga had to admit that he had not expected the Pharaoh to be so welcoming to them. Even now, it still surprised him. Most small countries such as this were fearful and unwilling to meet with foreigners. Pharaoh Bomani seemed open and willing to meet with them quite often however. Sounga had not been home in nearly a year.

He, Jikininki and their combined army had taken shelter outside of the city until the Pharaoh had volunteered to give them proper housing in the palace. They were to move in tomorrow.

Sounga was glad that things were progressing so quickly. The sooner an alliance could be formed between them the sooner he could return to his mate and sons. He sighed inwardly. He missed Izaoi dearly and hated to leave her for such a long length of time, but this had to be done.

All six of the provinces had agreed upon traveling to Agyptia in order to form an alliance. Agyptia had natural resources, silks, gold, and other such thing that Japan would find useful. There was also rumor of their skills and supernatural powers, Sounga himself had been a witness to their power. It was not something he had ever seen before.

One of the women brought in for entertainment had taken water from a golden goblet and brought the water from the goblet with her powers and manipulated it. She had crystallized the water, making small ice sculptures of different animals and objects. He had seen Youkai able to control water before; however, this woman could create water from nothing. The Youkai he had seen that were water masters had to have or be around water in order to do such things.

There were other similar things these Agyptians could do that even Youkai were not able to recreate, at least not to his knowledge.

Such abilities could potentially used as weapons, and he was sure they had been used as weapons. Considering this, he would rather be on friendly terms with them.

Japan was divided into six provinces; the Midori Clan, the Shiro Clan, the Ao Clan, the Aka Clan, the Kirro Clan, and the Kuro Clan. As the Imperial Province of Japan, the Shiro clan had decided to send Sounga to do the negotiations.

"Come, my friends, I would like you to meet my Queen, Jamila," Pharaoh Bomani said.

"We would be honored, Pharaoh," Jikininki said.

"Atum," he called to one of the mdjai guarding the double stone doors, "Find Khepri and tell her to tell the Queen that there are visitors I would like for her to meet,"

The soldier bowed his head and left.

Sounga had his doubts that the woman would show up. The Queen was obviously wearier of their presence than her husband was. He could not blame the female for her suspicions and doubt, Sounga himself would have had the same feelings had foreigners suddenly showed up in Japan, however he and his clan had come here for an alliance and nothing more. They had not intention of causing trouble or starting a war.

He looked over at Jikininki. He could not say the same for him however. Jikininki of the Kuro clan. The Kuro clan was known for their devious ways and trickery. He had grown up with Jikininki and knew of his somewhat dark nature.

Though for the past decade or so, they seemed to have changed their scheming ways. Sounga was not so easily convinced though. He was sure that the clan still had dirty hands, but he had not been able to prove anything as of yet. But knowing the clan, it was only a matter of time before they made a mistake and then, he could do what he had wanted to do for years.

He would punish all and disband the entire clan, successfully wiping away the blemish of Japan.

Until that day he could do nothing, the laws clearly stated that in order to charge an individual of a crime there had to be evidence.

The Kuro Clan was very apt at hiding their crimes.

The Kuro Clan had volunteered to accompany the Shiro clan on this journey. Had it been up to him, Sounga would have declined, however, the other clans had decided to give the Kuro clan a chance to redeem its self. Sounga could have declined, but that would have made him and his clan look back, and as Clan leader of the Imperial Shiro Clan, reputation was everything.

So he had no choice but to bring them along, and now had the difficult task of keeping an eye on both the Agyptian people as well as the Kuro clan.

Even though the Agyptian people had not given him any reason to distrust them but he also knew that they were at a disadvantage. They were in an unfamiliar country, with unfamiliar customs and people. He would trust no one until the alliance was sighed and in affect.

"While we await my Queen, please, come, have wine and fruit with me. I have provided entertainment and a banquet later this eve," he said as he began to walk towards the double doors, Sounga and Jikininki following.

He led them to a lavish room where three large, fluffy pillows were placed on the floor next to each other. Scantily clad female servant stood by holding bowls of fruits and containers of wine. Thought to Sounga their clothing was scandalous, he understood that the linen skirt and top was what the Agyptian people wore, due to the intense sun and humidity. He himself had had to trade in his silken kimono and hakama for a cotton kimono and hakama.

The three males took seats on the pillows as the females served them wine and fruit while the entertainment began.

To Agyptians, entertainment was mainly acrobatic abilities, fire breathers, and even theater. Some of their more physical entertainment was sports and game, some of which Sounga and his soldier had enjoyed.

A few minutes into the entertainment, however, one of the mdjai approached the Pharaoh and whispered into his ear. Seeming unaware of the hearing of a Youkai's superior hearing, neither Sounga nor Jikininki felt the need to inform him that the whispered words had not gone unknown.

"Queen Jamila has left the palace, master. She has refused to meet the foreigners," he whispered.

The Pharaoh's anger was instant and intense as the mdjai stood by for more orders. Barely able to smile, the Pharaoh turned to his visitors.

"Please excuse me, my friends. It seems I am needed to rectify a pressing situation. Please, enjoy the food, wine and entertainment in my absence," he said before standing, "See that our visitors have everything they need," he said to the mdjai.

"Yes, Master," the mdjai said.

That said, the Pharaoh turned and left, leaving them to their entertainment.

OoOoOoOoO

Bomani walked furiously down the dimly lit stone hallway.

Jamila had gone too far. He was the Pharaoh! She may be the Queen but no one; no one disobeyed the Pharaoh's direct command! This was the chance of a lifetime! To align themselves with a large country such as Japan was the smartest move they could make. It would give them protection from other countries and keep them from trying to overtake Agyptia.

As he threw open the double doors leading outside, ready to bellow for his carriage, intending to drag Jamila out of that temple, a carriage suddenly trotted up to the palace steps.

Spotting Jamila, he began down the stairs, each step bring him closer and closer to rage. As Jamila stepped from the carriage, their daughter in her arms, Bomani stalked up to her.

"In the palace, now," he said in a clipped tone, barely able to contain his rage.

Not waiting for a response, he turned and stalked back up the steps, heading towards their bedroom.

Jamila watched him leave. She had seen him this angry before, however that anger had never been directed to her. Cradling her child close to her chest, she ascended the stairs. Why couldn't he just understand that this was a mistake? That allowing these people onto their land would destroy them all. That he would bring great peril because of his stubbornness.

Why was he so blind?

As she entered the palace, Khepri stood nearby, twisting her hands nervously.

"Pharaoh Bomani commanded me to take Princess Kamilah while you and he have a private discussion," she said reaching out for the child.

Jamila hesitated. She dreaded ever releasing her daughter to anyone else, fear that if she did so, she would never see her again, but she dared not stir Bomani's anger anymore than it already was by disobeying. Handing child over reluctantly, she watched as Khepri took her away.

With a strong resolve, she went to face her angry husband.

He was pacing angrily back and forth, stopping only when she closed the door behind her. Jamila gasped as he advanced on her, grabbing her upper arm in a tight grip. Bomani had never before laid hands on her before, but then again, she had never made him this angry before.

"How dare you disobey me Jamila," he said between clenched teeth, "Have you forgotten who I am?"

Jamila gasped as he gave her a hard shake.

"I am not only your husband, but your Pharaoh. You will obey me," he hissed.

Jamila flung his hand from her arm. Obey him?! How in the hell was she to obey a man who seemed bent on his land and people? She knew not what devil whispered in his ear but she would not let that same devil whisper in her own ear! She would not let her people suffer because of his foolishness!

"I'll not obey! Not while you act so reckless with the lives of our people! Inviting these foreigners into our land! Calling them friend! I'll not have any part of it!"

"You know not of what you speak woman!"

"I know of what I speak! You are inviting destruction into our country! You will bring Agyptia to its knees!"

Bomani grabbed her arm once more and gave her another shake.

"I will bring this country to glory! Aligning with the men will do naught but help this country! Yet you seek to get in the way of this opportunity! I will not let your foolish mistrust get in the way of that!"

"You are blind!"

"I'll hear no more from you woman," he hissed, bringing her close to his face, "You will obey me or I will lock you away in the dungeon until you can obey me,"

Jamila gasped at his words. She had no doubt he would and no one would question him. He was Pharaoh, and to Agyptians, the Pharaoh was second only to the Gods. Previous Queens had been locked up for less crimes, some even executed. She could not let that happened. She had a daughter she had to protect. If she was locked up or executed, her daughter would be left unprotected and vulnerable.

"Do you understand me Jamila?" he asked angrily.

Jamila stared him down angrily but said nothing; instead, she turned her head.

Releasing her arm, he stepped away.

"You will present yourself tomorrow afternoon to our guest. I have invited them to take residence inside the palace until the alliance has taken affect,"

Jamila opened her mouth, ready to berate him for doing such a foolish thing; however, one look into those blue eyes silenced her. She looked angrily down at the stone floor. He stared at her for a moment before turning and walking out the door. Jamila clinched her fists in angry frustration. What was she supposed to do now?

He was inviting them in to the palace, brining them closer to her daughter.

He would kill them….he would kill them all….

This was unacceptable. She would not let her daughter be a victim to those foreigners. She would protect her ever if her father would not.

OoOoOoOoO

Bomani left the room taking a breath as he walked down the hall. Jamila had never knowingly, freely disobeyed him before. No one had. He had never felt such overwhelming anger in all his life. Perhaps he had been a bit hard on her, perhaps not, it did not matter.

He would not let her screw this up. This was their chance to gain powerful allies; this was not just some foolish decision to bring foreigners into his land just foe the fun of it all. He had spoken extensively with his large panel of advisors. This was a well thought out and conscious decision. He was not making a mistake, nor was he taking foolish chances. He was doing what was right for Agyptia. He was laying the foundations for the future.

The future of Agyptia and its people lay on the line.

If he let Jamila's suspicions and fear run the country he would miss this chance.

No.

He had to do this. He was doing the right thing. He knew it would pay off in the long run. Deciding not to return to his visitors, he turned left down a hall and headed to his study.

He needed time to himself. He could feel the weight of responsibility starting to drag him down. He needed a break from everyone and everything. However, when he opened the door, he saw that his brother and one of his trusted advisors sitting in a chair waiting for him, a bottle of wine in hand.

"Thought you might need it," he said holding up the bottle.

His brother, Hondo, meaning war, was three years his junior, and a bit taller than his older brother. His brother was like Jamila and preferred to keep his hair, which he trimmed to just above his waist and wore a white, gold embroidered kilt. Bomani sighed as he took a seat behind his desk.

"You know me too well," Bomani said as Hondo poured him a drink.

"What troubles you brother?" Hondo asked as he poured himself some wine.

Bomani sighed.

"It is Jamila again; she is convinced that these visitors mean us harm. I can take no more of her blind fear," he said.

"Hmmm,"

Taking a drink of the liquid in his cup, he poured another drink.

"Have you explained to her the situation? Surely she cannot deny that an alliance with Japan will only benefit us in the long run,"

"Yes, it has been explained to her over and over and yet she does not seem to understand, nor does she want to. She has thoroughly convinced herself that they will bring destruction to us all," Bomani said as he drained his cup.

"I see. Do you plan to keep her away from them? I would think her ill will towards them might offend them," Hondo said slumping in his chair.

"Nay, I have already spoken to her. She will meet them and she will behave herself and obey me or I will lock her up in the dungeon until she can obey me,"

Hondo sat up abruptly at that. His brother was not the violent or cruel type.

"Surely you would not really do so?" Hondo asked surprised.

"Nay, but she does not know that," he said taking another drink.

Hondo smiled at that. His brother was all bark and no bite, always had been.

"Yes, well, as long as she does not know that, then it is fine. Such a threat should keep her in line,"

"For now. She has been acting strangely since she visited her grandmother. Her grandmother has told her of great danger surrounding Kamilah,"

"Kamilah? The little Princess?"

"Indeed, I've taken precautions to insure her safety, there is naught to worry about, however, Jamila has become almost crazed in her crusade to protect her from this danger. She suspects everyone and everything as someone trying to bring harm to Kamilah. I do not know what to do with her anymore."

"Well Kamilah is the first successful child she's given birth to. It is only natural that she would be a bit more protective than normal mothers,"

"I understand that, but she goes too far at times. She disobeys me," he said pouring another drink, "she has never done such a thing. No one has ever dared to do such a thing, this you know brother, and yet she does so at every turn. Blatantly, excessively, and without apology,"

"That is very reckless of her. Even if you do not punish her, the people will not hesitate to do so. Any that disrespects the Pharaoh, in turn disrespects the Gods. They will not allow it to be so,"

"I am aware of this," Bomani said as he drained another cup.

Jamila was becoming a problem. In all the years that they had been married, she had not ever disobeyed him, nor shown any sign of rebellion; however she was doing so now. He could not allow her to undermine his authority so blatantly. He would not allow it. Though he had said he would not imprison her in the dungeon he was beginning to think that he would need to rethink that.

He would have to take some action if she continued to defy him.

Bomani sighed. Being Pharaoh was such a heavy burden to bear sometimes. Looking down at his empty cup, he grabbed the bottle of wine and poured another drink.


Hope you all enjoyed!

Laters!

~Sessakag