AN: Thanks for reading! Any input or suggestion is greatly welcomed and looked forward to. Please read and review.
Disclaimer: I'm tired of trying to come up with non-boring ways to say that I don't own Inuyasha
"The time is drawing near." Masaru said. "We may have to strike sooner than expected. Another one of our spies was caught just today at the base of the mountain."
"Do we continue as planned?" Katai asked his father. "They will be on heightened alert of course."
"Yes, we have enough information to continue with the original plan." he replied. "Wait for my word. Everyone needs to be on constant alert." he finished.
As everyone dispersed from the meeting hall, Kozue was stopped by his father's words. "Have you nothing to add, Kozue?" he asked. "You are usually one of the first to contest my plans."
He approached his father's seat and regarded him coldly. "I have nothing to say to such a dishonorable and cowardly act." he told his father sharply. "And I will have no part of it."
Masaru leaned closer to his son. "You will do as I tell you, whelp." he said angrily. "Or you will pay for it with your life. I made a mistake in not killing your mother sooner, before her disgusting gentility wore off on you. Bunch of gutless swine; I should have known better than to ally myself with those weaklings from the plains." he finished, more to himself than to his son.
Baring his fangs, Kozue's anger seeped glowing red into his eyes at his father's words. He checked his rage quickly, deciding instead to leave his father's presence. He had tried long and hard to block the memory of his mother's lifeless body lying before him on the floor, on that night so long ago. Barely more than a toddler, he stood staring in shock at his mother's still form, cut down by a swift strike from his father.
"That's what happens, bitch, when you dare to question my authority." The words still rang in Kozue's ears. He had thought about killing his father many times over the years, but he had never been able to go through with it. Part of him wished he could be like him. Then he would not hesitate to do it.
"Father is just trying to think of a new way to get things done, Kozue." Katai told him as he passed by him in one of the long tunnels that led to everyone's sleeping quarters. "Why do you disagree with him so much?"
"We see him with different eyes, little brother." Kozue replied. "That is all I will say." he said as he continued along, having no wish for conversation. He had always tried to protect Katai from his father's worst side, since it was the only parent he had left. He had only been a few months old when their mother was killed. Katai had no idea of how it had happened.
Katai stood and watched his brother walk away into the darkness. There was much about him that he didn't understand. They were close in a way, but Kozue had always seemed distant to him. He agreed with his father's wishes to gain control over the lands the dog demons held. There were too many of the wolves now to reside only in the mountains, and it would be good if some of them could be just at the base of the mountains, still close by. He had never really given much thought to the creatures they were trying to overthrow; he only followed what his father told him. Shaking his head, he turned and followed after his brother deeper into the caves.
"We have captured another one of the wolf spies." Inuyasu said on their way down the hall. "I am arranging a meeting later to discuss these events; in the meantime I want to speak to you about them in my rooms." he told Inukatsu.
Once inside, Inukatsu sat down and tried to concentrate on what his father was saying. The course of his day had been altered quite suddenly, and he struggled to keep up for a moment. "Did you manage to get in any information out of this one?" he asked his father.
"Only a little." he answered. "They seem to be sending spies to observe the intricacies of everyday life here in the attempt to catch an opportune time to attack. They are observing times when the guard is changing and looking for secluded areas in which to filter in quietly." he explained.
"Our guards have been assigned to heavily patrol the less conspicuous areas, haven't they?" Inukatsu asked.
"Yes, I doubled the watch." Inuyasu said. "But I think it's best if we keep everyone else as close to the castle as possible. We'll talk more at the meeting. I'll have someone send for you when it's assembled." he finished.
Inukatsu left his father's room promptly, wanting to find Kinome quickly to tell her the news. Telling Misaki would involve much more than warning her against being alone. He was glad when he found Kinome in her rooms, talking with Asuka. At his entry, Asuka quickly left them alone.
"I need to tell you something." he told her as she rose to speak to him. "We have caught another spy near the mountain. They are searching for secluded places to gain entry. I want you to stay close to the castle and steer clear of any spots that are out of the way or hidden in any way." he instructed, looking her in the eye for emphasis. He realized that his hands were on her shoulders as well, again. He stood there for a moment looking at her, her foreign scent suddenly much more familiar. He backed away suddenly, caught off guard at his reaction.
"Do you want me to tell Asuka and Miu as well?" she asked cautiously.
"Yes." he said a bit shakily. "But as far as anyone else, keep things quiet. Father is calling a meeting later this afternoon to discuss things further. Make sure Asuka and especially Miu know to stay quiet about it as well." he told her.
She nodded. "I will." she said. She felt a rush of anxiety once again as she watched him leave hurriedly. Speaking to her just now, he had seemed much less at ease than he had at their encounter this morning. Of course, he had just found out some unsettling news, but she suspected that there was more to it than that. She wondered if he had spoken to Misaki since the night before. She knew that he held strong feelings for her, and wondered about what had happened between them in light of that. If he cared so much for Misaki, why had he come to her bed? She closed her eyes and sighed heavily. There was no use wondering about it, she decided. She knew of a wife's purpose, and it required no kind of feeling. But, he certainly hadn't seemed cold and detached, she thought to herself. She was glad when Asuka came in again and steered her thoughts elsewhere.
Inukatsu hurried to his rooms to prepare for the meeting his father was gathering. His thoughts were on how best to deal with the impending threat of the wolves until he opened his door. Misaki was standing just inside the doorway. She turned around to face him as he shut the door. "Inukatsu, I came to say. . " she began, but stopped short, taking in his appearance and scent.
Her eyes quickly took on the same appearance as they had the night before, but she said nothing. Her chest heaved with her anger, yet she remained silent. Inukatsu closed his eyes and tried to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat, restricting his breathing. Every second that passed seemed like an eternity while he waited for Misaki to say something, anything.
"You're detestable." she finally seethed. Her low and grievous tone was worse than if she had been screaming at him. "You stand before me declaring your undying love, full of desperation, and then go and make yourself comfortable in that human's bed?" she asked. Her fists clenched at her sides, and the rage radiated from her. "You are nothing like the man I thought you to be." she ground out.
Inukatsu tried to answer, but found he couldn't speak. The words came to him after a moment. "I am not the man I thought myself to be." he whispered finally. An image of Kinome flashed into his mind. He had wronged them both in his selfishness. A resolution suddenly burned its way into his thoughts. If he was not the man he thought himself to be, it was time to change that. It was time for him to make real choices about his future, and stand beside them without looking back. The time for procrastination was long since over.
"Saying that I am sorry would be an insult." he told her. "I have done much in the past weeks out of my selfish and childish desires. It must come to an end now." he said. "I must make my decisions resolute, for the sake of everyone."
Misaki stared at him, and some of her anger faded into astonishment. She had never seen him like this. Inukatsu had always had an air of confidence and convition to him, but not like this. It was as if he had awoken from a dream, and seen the truth for the first time. Even his eyes had changed. He reached out for her, gently touching her cheek. She looked into his eyes, and saw much regret.
"I can only say that I wish now I could have gained my resolve sooner, before I caused anyone any pain." he said. "I will take my leave of you now; if you wish to find me and speak to me, I will welcome it." he told her. A thousand thoughts whirled through her mind as she watched him walk away. She left his room and quietly shut the door. What could all of this mean? Had he decided to tell his father that he would have no more of his ridiculous marriage, and stand firm in front of him? Or was it just the opposite, as she feared?