Chapter Thirteen – Failed Attempt
"Bold"- Foreign Language
Kagome opened the windows to the newly built hospital room, allowing fresh air to breeze in. She turned around to see rows of sick youkais lying on the blanketed ground. Six months had passed by after she gained control over the youkai camp. Already improvements such as hospitals, food and better housing were accomplished. The youkais soon warmed up to her, and ever since then she had fallen in love with this second home of hers.
Running her hand over her forehead, she dried the trails of sweat. Unfocused as to where she was walking, Kagome gasped when she collided against something. Startled, she looked up to see a familiar Eagle youkai glaring down at her in disgust. Somewhat used to receiving these dirty looks from General Hildebrand, Kagome bowed and silently apologized. She remembered the first time she saw him.
-Flashback-
Feeling a prickling sensation poke at her back, Kagome felt like someone was watching her. She searched for the cause of this weird sensation and noticed a tall youkai in the distance. His build was much more muscular than Shin's. Brown hair reached his shoulders and tied back. His uniform remained clean and dirt free, which she found odd since the rest of the youkais wore ragged clothing. She immediately noticed three claw marks deeply scarred across his right cheek. His greenish yellow eyes clouded with fierce dislike as he stared at her. Suspicion and wisdom glowed past his look.
Smiling brightly, she said in what little German she had absorbed, "Guten Morgen (Good Morning)."
Ignoring her, he sharply turned away and continued his walk. Kagome watched in curiosity as every youkai he passed by silently saluted him in respect.
"Who is he, Shin?" Kagome whispered to her friend.
"That's General Hildebrand. He was the leader of Germany's Youkai Military Forces. Even Yamamoto is afraid to kill him off in fear that the youkais will rebel. He is that respected."
Taking in the new information, she murmured, "Seems he doesn't trust me."
"I'd stay away from him, Kagome-sama. He is probably the only youkai who is suspicious of you and powerful enough to harm you if you are found out," Shin said cautiously.
"Found out..." she echoed hollowly. Of course, how could she forget? She was the Miko that caused the youkais all their pain.
-End of Flashback-
Blood drained from her face. Tension stiffened her shoulders as she quickly wished to leave his presence. While she passed him in her attempt to flee, she heard him breathe in her scent as if trying to piece together evidence of her fraud. Not wishing to see his expression in fear that he had caught on to something, Kagome exited the hospital without glancing back.
A sensation of piercing needles crawled down her spin. She hated secrets. It was only a heavy burden to keep secrets from those she loved. However, this secret she concealed from the youkais of this camp was unavoidable. They would not understand that she was forced to submit her powers. They would not believe her if she confessed that she did not know her reiki was used to torture them.
Shin had told her that only a handful of youkais had died. Before her arrival, one-by-one, the youkais had been taken to a room filled with reiki. The majority came back with injuries while some did not return at all. It was as if Yamamoto was testing to see the damage he could cause with a certain amount of power. Though this youkai camp was nothing in comparison to a massacre, it terrified her to know that this was just the beginning.
Her lowered eyes lifted to catch a glimmer of silver hair in the sunlight.
"Sesshomaru," his name rolled off her tongue. The feeling of dread numbed as her thoughts rid of the darkness.
In slow strides, she neared the youkai who reminded her of him from behind. Her arm stretched out to grasp a handful of his clothing as she rested her cheek against his back. Tenderness exposed past her eyes while they slowly closed in reminiscence.
She missed him.
'Did he give up on searching for me?' The burdens of her secret vanished as her heart soaked in a new pain. 'Did he give into the youkai Elders and find a mate?'
"Shin?" Kagome whispered against the back she had borrowed.
Sensing her sorrow, Shin knew the cause of it. Memorized like a script for he repeated it often, he said, "He has not forgotten us, Kagome-sama. You know him better than most. Sesshomaru-sama is not one to give up. I am certain he is investigating our whereabouts at this very moment."
##
Germany was surrounded. Their ports were all blocked off by the British Army. As the Central Powers marched forward, victorious in every battle, they closed in on the country. It was only a matter of days before the news of surrender was alerted to every nation.
He had kept his promise.
Two years. World War One would be written throughout History to have ended within two years.
Nearing the end, his patience wore thin. He wanted her by his side now.
"Taisho-sama, the enemies have not made a move to attack for the past few days. What should we do?" A Lieutenant reported.
Why was it taking so long for their surrender?
Void eyes narrowed at the silence of the opposite trenches. Surrender was inevitable, yet if they planned to prolong this, he would gladly force them into it.
"Ready the men," emptiness drowned his voice. The numbness was slowly sinking in. Needing a distraction, he would focus on the needless battle and feast his rage. Taking a step onto the No Man's Land, black boots seeped into bloodied soil.
##
"Have you noticed?"
Kagome tilted her head towards Shin in confusion.
"Food provision has decreased in frequency and amount. If we did not change our ways to hunt for food ourselves, half of us would have starved to death by now." Skeptical eyes scanned the humans Military Base. Shin continued, "There has also been a tense and silent atmosphere over there for quite some time now."
She had doubted the possibility until Shin pointed out the signs. A quivering shudder released from her lips as she hushed, "The war is ending."
Shin snapped his head towards her with shock written across his face.
"With all their ports blocked off, people will starve from the lack of food. As our armies close in with each victorious battle, civilians will riot against their government to stop the war. This country will surrender and World War One will come to an end." Each word slipped out from her mouth in wonderment. How was it possible that a four year war ended in two years?
Shin, who knew not to question her knowledge, simply accepted her words as truth. Though there was a sense of relief, he knew Yamamoto would not let the youkais walk away in freedom. Glancing down at the Miko's smiling face, he could not muster up the words to warn her about the dangers. He did not wish to shorten the moment of her relief.
##
"Yamamoto, arm my entire army with the power to destroy youkai. I will surely win this war." The voice from the other end of the phone line demanded.
A newspaper spread open on his desk, Yamamoto lazily scanned through the endless list of riots that were going on about ending the war. Shifting his attention to the map of Germany, pins that represented their opposing armies were nailed all around the country. His plans were ruined. He had hoped for Germany to win this war, and yet they were soon to face defeat. No, he would not waste the reiki he had stored. He had greater plans than merely using it to destroy a small number of youkais.
"Kaiser, it was so wonderful to work with you up until this point," he murmured with boredom.
"Stop this foolishness. I need power, Yamamoto," the other line snapped.
"Unfortunately, I have no more use of you..."
"Yamamoto! I accepted you into my army!"
"...so I suggest you simply listen to what your people are protesting about..."
"You Japanese bastard! Don't you dare betray me!"
Pausing, Yamamoto narrowed his eyes. With a sharp tone, he rebuked the stubborn man and said, "Surrender, Kaiser. You have already lost."
Slamming the phone to its receiver, he didn't bother bidding the Kaiser farewell. The war was at its limit. He had hoped for it to prolong for another one or two years. By then, he would have had enough reiki to destroy the entire youkai population.
What a disappointment.
His hand slowly grasped his crystal ball and pulled it out. He would just have to be satisfied with exterminating the youkai race of Germany and Austria-Hungary for now. Malice lurked past his eyes as he stood up from his desk. Slamming the door open, anticipation pulsed through his veins. Yelling, he commanded his soldiers, "Men, it's time the youkais are gone once and for all."
A thunderous roar echoed throughout the Military Base. Countless hands grabbed for their reiki charged pistols and trailed after their General in excitement. In sync, army boots marched towards the detested youkai camp.
Fueled by the pumped soldiers, Yamamoto almost laughed at his doubts of exterminating youkais. Soon, he spotted the Miko at the entrance of the camp gates and smirked. He would reveal to the entire camp that she was the very Miko whose reiki was used to kill off their friends and family. After witnessing the youkais she loved turn their backs on her with hatred, would she still be able to say she wanted peace?
'She will break.' He wanted her to break like his clan had suffered through.
Soldiers aligned into their positions and formed two rows. The front row knelt while the back stood, aiming their weapons towards the camp.
"What is the meaning of this, Yamamoto?" Kagome demanded. Sensing her youkai friends freeze in fear at the sight of the only weapons that could actually harm them, her eyes hardened with wrath.
Thrill exposed within his stare as he stated, "Extermination, Miko."
Horror tore past her expression as her clenched jaws stifled an unspoken terror.
"On the count of three, I will order my men to fire. It is your choice to come to my side or die with your youkai friends." Relishing in the sight of the Miko's horrified expression, his grin widened.
Kagome felt Shin push her to Yamamoto. Stomping a foot firmly onto the ground, she cried, "I'm not moving from here, Shin!"
She ignored the desperate look on Shin's face and tried to think of something. There must be a way to save them from being purified.
"One," he began the count.
Panic hazed her thoughts. Her eyes wandered towards the youkai camp. There, she saw everyone's face express hopelessness. It was as if they knew this was bound to happen. Mother's held on to their children one last time. Mates comforted their partners. Friends leaned against the other in support. Then, she caught sight of General Hildebrand. He was the only one with an expression of determination. His eyes flickered red as if he was about to slaughter the soldiers in hopes to spare some survivors.
"Two."
She, too, should fight in hopes to save some youkais. No, she wanted to save all of them. She didn't know how powerful the reiki attack would be. She didn't even know how to block it. All she knew was that she wanted to save them from this unjustified genocide. Clenching her eyes shut, she pleaded, 'Shikon no Tama, you must save them!'
"Three!"
'YOU MUST,' her heart screamed. Suddenly, a tingling sensation spread throughout her entire body. She allowed the uncontrollable amount of power to flow out from her, willing the Shikon no Tama to do what it desired with her.
"FIRE!"
##
Inside the Imperial palace of Germany, tired steps echoed against the marble coated floors. A gloved hand fumbled inside his pocket to pull out the keys to his personal study. Hearing the lock turn, the rotund figure froze upon opening the door. He took in the appearance of the intruder that stood in the middle of his study and quickly identified the stranger.
"Ah, General Sesshomaru." The German Kaiser tensed with irritation as the youkai neither responded nor gestured an acknowledgement. Straightening his mustache, his face did not hide the disdain he felt for the particular youkai. "I've heard rumors about you. I heard it was because of you that my country was forced into surrendering."
Without a flinch, golden eyes bore down at the short human with hollowness. His lips pursed in impatience. He did not have time for chatter. His silent message was understood by the scent of fear swelling from the human.
Clearing his throat of all nervousness, he said, "Why are you here? The treaty will be held in Paris, five days from now."
"I doubt you will have a single land to spare to Japan when the treaty is through with you."
Cold sweat trailed down from his forehead as he mumbled, "You've come to negotiate on something else outside of the treaty?"
Sparring the human no answer, Sesshomaru demanded, "Where is the Miko?"
"Mi-Miko?"
"Japan will not request anything of your country, in exchange for the Miko."
Taking a moment to allow the information to sink in, the Kaiser continued to twist the ends of his mustache. Yamamoto would be furious if the Miko was taken away from him. Reminded of that Japanese man's betrayal, a smile tugged on the ends of his lip. "Yes, I shall take you up on that offer. The Miko is located in one of my Military Bases an hour away."
##
Every single youkai clenched their eyes shut at the exploding brightness. Though the air stung of purity, the pain was bearable. Noticing that they were not dead, one by one the eyes of each youkai gradually fluttered open.
A large dome radiating of reiki surrounded the entire youkai camp. Kagome stood enveloped in the glow as her hands rested against the barrier. Though shots of reiki were being fired from the pistols, the barrier simply absorbed the power and made Yamamoto's attack appear harmless.
Her eyes widened in awe at the sight of what the Shikon no Tama had done to save her friends. The astonishment quickly faded at the sound of a murderous growl from behind her. As she turned her head around, she spotted Shin's body sent crashing onto the ground. A shadow soon loomed above her, causing her to look up and see General Hildebrand glowering down at her.
To save the youkais, her miko heritage was exposed.
"Your reiki..." each word was coated with vengeance, "is responsible for killing my race, my men, MY FAMILY."
Though his expression portrayed nothing, the raw pain in his voice pierced her heart. Nothing she said would make him understand nor calm his fury. The General's claw rose to aim at her, but she could not move away. Her hands remained glued to the barrier and she did not dare rip them away in fear that the barrier would fall.
The gruesome sound of flesh tearing was followed by a pained cry.
His claw tore through her back, exposing hints of her spinal cord. Crimson liquid streamed down as she could not stop her tears from overflowing. The excruciating pain rendered her speechless. In the corner of her blurred eyes, she noticed the General raising his bloodied claw for another strike. However, Shin had recovered from the blow and knocked the feral General unconscious.
Kagome looked down at her feet to see a puddle of her own blood. Her eyes grew hazy, her body warning her of the lack of blood. She couldn't fall unconscious. She had to stay awake and keep up the barrier.
"Doctor!" She heard Shin's voice shout from behind her. "Doctor, you need to heal her quickly!"
Hearing the Doctor grunt in rejection, she wore a sad smile.
Trying to ignore the Doctor's defiance, Shin pointed at another youkai and ordered, "You there, bring me some water and bandages!"
A silence fell upon the crowd of youkais as none moved to obey or help the Miko.
"WHY ISN'T ANYONE HELPING HER!?" Disbelief, frustration and fear rang in Shin's voice.
The Doctor finally responded, "General Hildebrand has shown his disdain for her, so we must follow."
"You don't actually believe Kagome-sama would use her reiki to kill our race?!"
Shin's desperate voice at least eased her wounded heart.
"She is as good as dead either way, boy."
Kagome didn't know if she regretted learning German or not. She was able to understand the Doctor's comment and it stung her. Branded as a traitor by General Hildebrand meant the rest of the youkais would follow the same thought.
##
The strong barrier protecting the youkais had surprised and frustrated him. However, witnessing the Miko being attacked by a youkai had caused his emotions to shift for the better. Satisfaction coursed through his body as he saw pools of blood pour down from the pale Miko.
She would now understand him.
She would now hate youkais.
The stupid youkais believed the Miko had betrayed them when in fact they had betrayed her! Mad laughter ripped past his throat in sick delight. Now, the Miko would drop the barrier and allow him to annihilate them all.
Waiting, Yamamoto prepared for the moment the barrier dropped.
Seconds passed by, and then minutes. Though the time ticked on, the Miko's barrier continued to hold.
"What the hell is she doing!?" He shouted bitterly. Ignoring the weird glances from his soldiers, he continued to yell, "She is supposed to be broken! She is supposed to hate them! She should want those youkais DEAD!"
The sound of empty pistols mocked him. Resentment darkened his glare as Yamamoto reached for his crystal ball. Whether she chose to bring down the barrier or not, he vowed he would rid of every single one of those youkais.
"Drop your weapons!" A voice boomed from behind, causing Yamamoto to pause. He turned around to see the Kaiser approaching. Immediately, weapons clattered onto the ground as the soldiers obeyed. In the grace of this country's ruler, Yamamoto knew his last chance was gone.
He had chosen the wrong ruler to manipulate.
He would have to start all over again. He would find another ruler who held the same hatred towards youkais as he did. Then, with the remaining reiki he held, he would return even more powerful.
The Kaiser watched with entertainment as Yamamoto's figure dissolved into a mist of reiki and absorbed into the crystal ball. Swiftly, the mystical ball vanished, a mysterious power that could not be scientifically explained. After witnessing such sorcery, it seemed he had almost made a contract with the devil. Shaking out of his thoughts, he remembered the youkai beside him. He informed, "Now, the Miko should be here somewhere."
Sesshomaru had been staring at the enormous dome-like barrier. Knowing that she must be inside, he neared it.
"...kagome."
His throat tightened.
She was alive.
The suffocating hold around his heart vanished as warmth seeped in. Yearning broke past his hollow eyes as the familiar sensation of her reiki tingled against his skin. Unaware that his steps had quickened, he released his youkai ki to alert her of his arrival; that she was safe now.
Instantly, the shield of reiki disintegrated into dust. As layers of the glow died down, the scent of blood thickened.
At last, he was reunited with the woman he longed for, only to witness her collide onto the stained ground pooled with her own blood.
*Hildebrand (Hil-de-brant): The name means "battle sword", derived from the Germanic element hild "battle" combined with brand "sword".
Author's Note: For the readers who asked if the Youkai Camp was my twist on the Holocaust/Hitler/Nazi Camps, my answer is NO (That happened during World War Two. This chapter is about World War One). This was simply Yamamoto's failed attempt to do so.
Thank you for reading,
Your reviews are cherished.