Chapter Seven – New Understandings
The faint mist of incense drifted towards the ceiling, fogging the room. The large meeting room was decorated with ancient artifacts. With dim lighting, the two figures hid in the shadows. Seated at one end of a wooden table, Sesshomaru faced the Chinese General with a bored gaze.
Though the two figures concealed their youkai ki, Sesshomaru noted the Jiang (High General) badge on the uniform of the seated youkai. From the corner of his eyes, Sesshomaru glimpsed at the female youkai who was left standing. His expression darkened with a tinge of distaste.
The seated one stroked a hand through his mustache as he asked, "I hope your partner is doing fine?"
After arriving at the Youkai Base, Kagome was left to rest in the best room provided. She had used up an enormous amount of energy. Thankfully, she was asleep when the servant informed him of the meeting. No doubt, she would have forced herself to attend.
"She is fine," Sesshomaru responded curtly.
"Well, I apologize that you were ambushed upon your arrival. It is our fault for miscalculating the situation."
Golden eyes narrowed. Rather than a miscalculation, they were most likely aware that the criminals would ambush for revenge. The Chinese knew he would come out of the attack alive. He was merely used to do them a favor of getting rid of them. He despised such underhanded methods.
"Well now, shall we talk business? We are more than willing to ally with Japan. We give you full permission to enter our lands in order to capture any escape criminals. Also, should you need assistance in war, we will send soldiers."
A paper was slid towards him. Sesshomaru scanned the content and found no fault in it. All that was required were both the General's signature. Boring his eyes at the seated youkai, Sesshomaru's voice darkened, "Whom shall be signing this alliance?"
"Me, of course," the seated youkai said in a strained voice.
"Does your General think an alliance is child's play?" Sesshomaru stated coldly.
"W-Whatever do you mean? I am the General of this Youkai Military Base!"
Tired of this game, he flicked his wrist towards the standing female. Immediately, the seated youkai dove to cover her with his body. The acid whip dug into the skin, causing a pained howl to echo. Not the slightest surprised, Sesshomaru saw the youkai posing as the General sprawled on the floor while clenching the wound on his arm.
Now, was there a General that would risk his life to protect a mere servant?
He doubted so.
Lazily shifting his gaze to the female youkai, Sesshomaru said tonelessly, "Do not take me for a fool, General."
An abrupt laughter sounded. Her secret exposed, she let out her powerful aura as her hair turned pure white. Aqua shaded her eyes, just like the white tiger she was. Running a pale hand through her hair, her eyes glimmered towards Sesshomaru.
"Please do not go harming my soldiers, Sesshomaru," she coaxed.
Displeasure caused him to frown at the familiar use of his name.
"You truly are everything the rumors describe you to be," she said with a smirk. The desire to conquer so deeply embedded in her nature, she wanted him. Nearing her prey, she let her hips sway seductively. She stopped inches away from him and leaned down enough to reveal a tease of her cleavage. Sultrily coating her words, she said, "You can call me Hisa."
Her long lashes fluttered upwards to gaze at his reaction, but the smirk on her lips faltered.
Impassive eyes unveiled nothing but disgust and impatience.
A loud sigh was released as annoyance flashed across her face. Folding her arms over her chest, she snapped, "You really are no fun to play with."
Ignoring her, Sesshomaru swiftly rose to his feet. He had no interest in allying with one so childish. He said nonchalantly, "I doubt we shall meet again."
Never having been treated with such disinterest, she felt the urge to break his stoic mask. Rage consumed her as she snarled, "If you leave, you leave alone."
His shoulder's stiffened. Turning around, his glare flickered dangerously towards the General.
Feeling a sense of victory by his change of expression, she continued, "Your partner is a Miko. Did you think we would allow her to live?"
His face hardened to conceal his alarm. He should never have left her alone. Suppressing the sensation of dread, he grounded out, "In this day and age I doubt you stick to ancient ways of hating the holy ones."
Hisa's face darkened with a grimace as she growled, "We did not bear any hatred for them until recently when out of nowhere a priest showed up and killed off a quarter of my soldiers!"
'Yamamoto. How was he still alive?' Shoving the thought aside, he said, "I assure you, my partner is on our side."
Enjoying this desperate side of him, Hisa snickered and said with a sick cheerfulness, "Too late."
Had he taken the time to think things through, he would have known there was no way Kagome could be harmed. However, something snapped inside of him causing him to move unconsciously. Within seconds, his claws had wrapped around the General's throat, and he lifted her off the ground. Gazing harshly into her widened eyes, he revealed the intention to kill. The whimpering sound of her struggle wasn't enough. Just as his grip began to tighten in the thirst to see her headless, he was stopped by a faint voice.
"Sesshomaru…" Kagome leaned tiredly against the door post. Having heard the Chinese General's joke, she sent him a soft gaze to calm his shock. She knew she did the right thing in looking for Sesshomaru the moment she awoke.
Thud.
Hisa crashed towards the floor and heaved for air.
'He was really going to kill me', she thought in horror. Though her vision slightly blurred, she was able to witness the relief in his face. It seemed that this Miko was the only way to stir up the Inuyoukai.
"Jiang! Jiang!" a soldier yelled for their General.
"What?" she snapped hoarsely.
"The priest! The priest has appeared again!" Blood thirst bled into her eyes. Still remembering the day the priest had slaughter her precious people, rage boiled within. Unwilling to risk anymore lives, she cursed beneath her breath.
The soldier continued, "The priest said he will not attack anyone if we gave him the Miko."
She found the request odd, but if she could save her soldiers she would do anything.
"Perfect, bring her to the priest," Hisa instructed. Her relief was brief as Sesshomaru stepped aside to shield the Miko. Her soldiers visibly paled at the sight.
"Know your place, General," his lips briefly twitched into a snarl. She overstepped her boundaries the moment she placed Kagome's life in danger. She had no right to bring harm to what was his.
Her playful nature completely reverted to one of a true General. Facing the Miko, she challenged, "Miko, will you go and save hundreds of lives, or be a coward and watch hundreds die because of you."
"I find your attempt to avoid battle more cowardly," disgust laced in his voice. Catching a glimpse of anger in her expression, he knew he had exposed her true intentions. A soft touch warmed his arm. Kagome gave him a helpless look and said, "Yamamoto probably sensed my blast of purification and wishes to absorb it."
Immediately sensing the meaning behind her words, his jaws clenched. She was out of her mind. Going against the priest by herself was asking for instant death. He would never allow her to be put in such danger.
"I prefer you didn't mix in your personal feelings," Hisa finally snapped.
Kagome held in a scoff. Sure, she could be the closest friend that Sesshomaru had, but she doubted that it had anything to do with feelings. He was simply choosing the logical side that demanded no one be sacrificed. However, had she but glimpsed at Sesshomaru she would have noticed the surprise visible in his eyes.
His body stiffened. Never. He never mixed personal feelings when facing an opponent. So…since when?...When did he start to base decisions off of his feelings? Though a faint voice warned him to leave it be, he needed to know what this woman meant to him. He could not remain ignorant of her influence on him any longer.
She was fully aware of the risk, but the pounding pulse streaming through her veins proved that this was the mission she had been waiting for. Flicking her fingers, a barrier formed around the entire Youkai Base. Mauve eyes met his and silently reminded him of her duty. She knew it was sly of her to do so. He, who understood the meaning of duty and responsibility, wouldn't dare stop her now. As he turned away from her, she took it as a sign to go.
"I'll be back," she whispered before heading out.
Deadpan eyes remained motionless. Sacrifices had to be made at times. As a leader, he'd chosen that path several times. What did it matter if the life of one could save hundreds? Still, he wished it upon anyone else…but her.
"I will not die before the wish I made is completed, Sesshomaru." He clung to her promise. It was the only reason he allowed her to go.
##
The sharpened tip of her arrow pointed towards the priest that didn't appear a year older. Rather than pondering on how he was still alive, she wanted to know why he wanted her alone. Narrowing her eyes, she stood prepared for any surprises.
"Ah, the Shikon Miko. It took me a while to figure out who you were," Yamamoto said. Unfazed by the arrow aimed right at him, a wide smile spread across his face as he stared at her with blank eyes.
"What do you want?"
Immediately, his smile twisted wickedly and in hushed tones he stated clearly, "I want you."
Suddenly, Kagome couldn't move a muscle. Frozen in place by some sort of spell, frustration grew while she watched Yamamoto draw near. He halted right at the tip of her arrow as if teasing her inability to move. With one motion, he drew her bow and arrow aside causing her arm to dangle to her side. For what seemed like minutes, he stared into her eyes like a discovered treasure.
"I assumed correctly," he said while pulling away from the gaze. "You have become the Shikon no Tama."
Her eyes widened in shock. She had never spoken a word to anyone. She muttered breathlessly, "How…how did you know?"
Enjoying her confusion, he gave her no answer and simply replied, "Join me, Miko."
She didn't understand why he wouldn't just absorb all her power, but her response was immediate. "No."
With vengeful eyes, he turned her motionless body around towards the Youkai Base. Uncomfortably close, he sneered behind her ear, "Then I'll just have to eliminate all your allies until you choose to join me."
Laughter rang past his lips while horror tore through her facade. Endless rows of youkais passed her and charged towards the Youkai Base. She noticed they were the criminals she encountered before. Shouts inside the Youkai Base alerted of the incoming attack. Inches away from the barrier she erected, Kagome witnessed the criminals pull out a small crystal. The exact same object the rebel leader had harmed Sesshomaru with.
Shatter.
Her barrier came crashing down at the shot of reiki pouring out from the crystals.
"Did you think I would leave my puppets weaponless?"
He was enjoying it.
"The fools don't even realize they are helping my mission. They are helping me wipe out their own race."
##
The alarm echoed throughout the base camp. The pulse of hundreds nearing vibrated along the ground. The moment the barrier crumbled confusion spread. As the first soldier was purified by the opponents, chaos fell.
"Jiang! Jiang! Give us your orders!" the officers pleaded.
Hisa stood speechless at the scene before her. 'How do they possess the ability to purify?'
Golden eyes stared at the battlefield with disinterest. He was more than willing to abandon the Chinese who easily threw Kagome away to save themselves. Securing her safety came first. However, that would be involving his personal feelings. His impassive expression cracked.
"Jiang!" the officers cried desperately. The number of their soldiers was decreasing at an alarming rate. The stunned General proved to be useless and that would lead to a massacre.
His heart twisted painfully at his decision.
He took a step forward, catching the attention of all the high ranking officers. Sesshomaru slowly neared the battle grounds, causing the officers to glance warily towards their frozen General before following him. "You there!" his chilling voice caused the officers to flinch. "Take the right side and order another to take the left."
"B-B-But, they have purification powers!"
His eyes hardened and he growled, "Simply kill them before they have the chance to."
"Y-Y-Yes, sir!"
Tortured by his own actions, any who dared face him bore his silent wrath. Fear drenched the criminals that witnessed the brutally cut down bodies of their mates. His youkai ki alone suffocated the opponents and turned them into immobilized cowards.
Spotting the crystal from afar, Sesshomaru knew the size was smaller than the one he saw centuries ago. Meaning, the use of reiki was limited. It was harmless. The problem was, someone was refilling them with more reiki after it was emptied.
##
Kagome observed the huge crystal in Yamamoto's hand and shared the same thoughts as Sesshomaru. She had to figure out a way to distract Yamamoto from replenishing the crystals that the criminals were controlling. Paralyzed from the shoulder down, she racked her brain to think of something.
"Yamamoto-san!" she blurted out to catch his attention. He turned to stare at her, "Did you finally decide to join me, Shikon Miko?"
"It's only fair that you explain what you are fighting for," Kagome said. 'Keep him talking', she thought to herself.
"Very well. I am from the Yamamoto clan. Born from the fuel of revenge, my Father was the last member of the clan. He fed me his hatred for youkais and how they destroyed the clan just because we were humans."
The misunderstanding, she remembered. The rebels had killed off the Yamamoto clan because they thought they were betrayed. Of course, the escaped son would not have known of this. From one misunderstanding the entire youkai race was put at risk.
"Countless times, he retold me the fear and trauma he felt as he witnessed his own mother being slaughtered by the monsters. They are beasts that enjoy the pain of others. I will see to it this world is cleansed from the taint of every youkai! I was born to fulfill this purpose!"
"-Wait, Yamamoto-san! This is all a misunderstanding!" She tried to reason with him, but he turned away in refusal to hear her out. It was far too late to change his ways for he had lived centuries hating upon the youkai race. Her priority was to get him away from that crystal! Coating her voice with sympathy, she said, "It must have been hard on you."
His hand that held the crystal stiffened. Spotting this, she continued, "Everyone still deserves to be brought up in a loving family."
Suddenly, the crystal stopped glowing. Her eyes widened in success. She was certain Sesshomaru would quickly catch on that the criminals were weaponless now. Though victory surged through her, she caught a broken expression on the priest. Realizing the reality of his pain, true sorrow sank in.
"You will join me then?" he asked weakly.
Kagome stared at the priest in pity. Tired, lonely and deprived of happiness, he endured so much. But…"I can't," she whispered truthfully.
Silence filled the moment. The cries of the criminals died, indicating their victory. Kagome could feel the spell release her, giving her control over her body but she didn't dare move. Yamamoto hid his emotions behind a superficial smile once again.
"Well then," he said politely, "in our next meeting we are enemies."
A shiver crawled down her spine as his expression instantly darkened before walking away. Dropping her gaze, she whispered, "I'm sorry."
He had spared her because she was the first to understand him. Mauve eyes hardened. Yes, the next time would erase these feelings of empathy. Her mission was not complete until Yamamoto was stopped.
Pulse.
The well called for her.
Pulse.
"Kagome," the voice she had waited for called out.
She turned towards him and smiled, "It's time to go back, Sesshomaru."
Author's Note: Yes...Yes...I found a great beta. Thank you Dragoneyes2005. What did you think of this chapter?
Thank you for reading,
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