A lot has happened in my life recently so I haven't been able to update as often as I can. I've had issues with my pregnancy so I can't work. Which meant I could work more on the story however I had a family emergency and I've been dealing with that. My goal is to hopefully get this finished before this little guy is born (due date September 21st).
Anyway! Thanks for all the reads and reviews!
AnimeGirlMiranda
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After leaving the children Sesshomaru went to his office where Jakken was waiting for him.
"Jakken, send a letter to the North inform them that Dragon Blood and his army have been using their lands." Sesshomaru said walking past the toad to sit in his office chair.
"Ah yes my lord! I will do that right away!" Jakken said turning to leave.
"Also, inform them of the pending invasion of the East." Sesshomaru added. He didn't think the wolves would aid Nuriel however it was the diplomatic thing to do. Koga and himself had been on relatively good terms since the fall of Naraku.
"Should I send word to the South as well my lord?" Jakken asked.
Sesshomaru frowned might as well he thought as he nodded. "Hnn."
Jakken bowed then left to do his lord's bidding.
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"You should come visit more Ada." Raya said smiling at her.
"Yes! You should!" Nuriel said nodding vigorously as Ada laughed
"Well then how about I come now? I can help with preparation?" Ada said
"Ah well maybe now is not a good time." Nuriel said with a frown. His sister was safest here, where Dragon Blood couldn't reach her. He had already tried (and failed) to get Raya to stay. "I am lady of the East I will not abandon our people when I am needed most!" Raya had said.
"Nuriel you know my healing abilities will come in handy." Ada pressed. Like her brother, she could control an element. Unlike him however she took after her father's side and could manipulate water. She could use it for combat of course, but generally used her powers to heal.
"She's right you know." Raya said elbowing her mate.
Nuriel scowled "Fine but I'm not happy about this." He said turning and walking down the steps. How could he protect them when they refused on being in a safe place?
Ada gathered her things and said goodbye to InuKimi and then left for the East with Nuriel and Raya.
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Nuriel, Ada and Raya landed at the gates of the eastern palace.
Some of the guards seeing their arrival rushed over.
"Lady Raya you've returned." Said one guard.
"It's good to see you my lady!" Said another.
With them drawing a commotion more of the East's people gathered in welcoming Raya home.
It was easy to tell that Raya was well loved by the people of the east.
"Thank you everyone!" Raya said to the crowd that had gathered. "I can assure you I am fine now and very happy to be back."
The citizens cheered.
"Alright, alright enough ogling my mate." Nuriel said. "You all knew I wouldn't rest till I got her back."
Clearing a path for the three as they walked up to the castle.
Nuriel smiled as he watched the Eastern citizens decided that a celebration was in order.
Whispering, so no one but Nuriel could hear Ada said "is this really a time to celebrate? With your enemy coming soon?"
Nuriel's eyes flickered for a moment before retaining his smile as they walked up the castle steps.
"The upcoming battle may take some of their lives, let them enjoy what they can." He says grimly. "Tomorrow I will announce the pending battle."
Nodding Ada put on a smile. Hopefully with her skill, the death toll would be much smaller if not any. Wishful thinking maybe...
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Sesshomaru had Velvidar prepare half of his troops to leave and train with the East. Being united in battle would be a crucial part of defeating Dragon Blood.
Although Sesshomaru would never say it to Nuriel (or else the non-ceasing bragging commence) his army was quite skilled and having his army train with Nuriel's would be beneficial for all.
The West was in no way inferior, but a different point of view and added strategies would surely not hurt. That and his troops would get acquainted and learn to battle sufficiently with each other.
Sesshomaru watched as they gathered necessary weapons and tools to bring with them. His army would leave in the morning.
Sesshomaru frowned as he noted a few of his soldiers' mates were helping along in packing.
His mind wandering to a certain miko he turned deciding some training was in order.
Thinking of her now would do him no good.
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His body rhythmically moved as he spun around flicking his whip at random spaces.
Drawing his sword, he sliced through the middle of an invisible enemy.
Bare feet slid into position as he readied himself for another. Flipping backwards he sliced quickly through the air dispatching several more.
"Wow." Hotaru said in awe.
"I told you!" Shippo said proudly. "Lord Sesshomaru is the best!"
The western lord turned and lifted an eyebrow at the two young demons watching from the doorway.
Shippo reddened at his lord's gaze. "Oops, sorry we didn't mean to disturb you lord Sesshomaru." Shippo said bowing his head slightly as Hotaru did the same.
Regarding them for a moment he spoke.
"Come, show me what Velvidar has taught you." Sesshomaru said.
The two boys smiled at each other and eagerly raced in.
Sesshomaru repressed a slight smile at their eagerness.
Training had indeed been a good idea.
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Midoriko now with a less distraught Kagome had been teaching the younger priestess how to tap into her powers more effectively.
After hours of practice Kagome was showing much improvement.
"Ha! I did it! Finally!" Kagome said. She had been working to move her reiki out of her slowly instead of all at once. It was easier for her to transfer to her arrows, she had now successfully did it without anything to transfer the power to.
Kagome watched as she held a purple glowing ball of reiki in her hand.
"Good, your reiki is like a muscle. The more you use it the more you can control it and also strengthen it." Midoriko said
Moving the call of reiki back into her, Kagome sighed and wiped some sweat off her forehead.
Deciding it was a good stopping point, they had lunch.
"So exactly where are we in Japan?" Kagome asked as she popped a berry in her mouth.
"Hmm we appear to be near the City of Trees." Midoriko said looking deep into the forest in front of her.
"City of trees? You mean Sendai?" Kagome asked.
"I am not sure what it is called in your future." Midoriko said.
"Ah that's right it wasn't founded for another hundred years or so." Kagome said thinking back to her history lessons
"Wait a minute!" Kagome gasped realizing how far she was from a place she knew. "That's over 200 miles from Tokyo! No wonder I didn't recognize it!"
Although she had been to Sendai in the future she came nowhere near that in the past.
"Yes, the City of Trees is much farther north than you have ever traveled in the past." Midoriko said looking at her. "City of Trees or Sendai as you say is near the border of the North and East Lords Territory."
Looking into the distance, Midoriko pointed into the forest that surrounded them.
"If we head that way we will run into the city in a few days' time."
"So, we are currently in the north?" Kagome said thinking back. Koga was the northern Lord last, she heard, and Nuriel of course was the East.
Midoriko nodded as she stood up. "Come let us travel." She said
Kagome stood following Midoriko into the thicker part of the forest
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"Another big battle and this time I'm stuck on the sidelines." Sango mumbled as she watched Miroku gather supplies together.
"Sango ye are in a crucial part of your pregnancy having the child now would not be good." Kaede said patting her on the back
"I know, I know, but I wish I could help more." Sango said frustrated. The stories she had been hearing of Dragon Blood and his army had grown in frequency and in gruesomeness.
"My dear Sango the biggest help you can be is staying here and helping to protect the village." Miroku said walking over and giving her a quick peck in the cheek.
Blushing Sango nodded "yea, yea, ok."
Miroku smirked at her. After all they've done together a peck on the cheek still made her blush. Adorable.
"Besides you'll have Kikyo to keep you company as well, I'm sure Inuyasha would throw a fit if she tried to come." Miroku said thoughtfully, demons tend to be very protective of their mates even more so during pregnancy.
"Yes, that's true. Shouldn't they be getting here soon?" Sango asked.
"Oi, Miroku you ready yet?" Inuyasha said bursting in the room with Kikyo coming in behind him.
"Speak of the devil..." Miroku mumbled picking up his pack. "Yes, Inuyasha good to see you too." Miroku said with a dry look in the half demon's direction.
"What? Let's go then!" Inuyasha said turning and walking back out.
"How you deal with him Kikyo is beyond me." Sango said rolling her eyes at him.
Smiling Kikyo said "He's just currently irritated."
"When is he not?" Miroku said chuckling.
"On accession." She replied.
"Any particular reason or is he just being him?" Miroku asks
"He's having a hard time with his instincts, he both wants me with him at all times and in a safe spot, which had been with him till now." Kikyo explained
"Ah but now that's not the case and he doesn't like it." Miroku surmised.
"Pretty much." Kikyo said nodding.
"Have fun with that one dear." Sango said teasingly sticking her tongue out at him.
"Sango if-" before Miroku could make an undoubtedly suggestive comment Inuyasha yelled in
"MIROKU HURRY UP!"
"That's my que." The monk said sighing.
Kissing Sango soundly and quickly he shouldered his pack and left with his impatient friend.
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A cold sneer spread across his green face, his pointed teeth flashing as the last remains of sunlight flickered off them.
So, they knew where he was and of his plan. This would change little. Dragon Blood looked out into the vastness of the valley he and his followers had taken hold in.
Thousands of demons prepared to battle. All under his command. Soon the East would be his, and the lives of his enemies dashed in the same moment.
It would not be quick for them. Retreating into his cave, he smirked at his plans. Nuriel had nearly gone insane knowing his mate had been at his mercy, what would watching such a thing helplessly do?
Dragon Blood smirked as he sat on his throne at the back of the cave. Made of bones of demons that opposed him it made a good reminder to not cross him.
He thought of the western lord. Sesshomaru had gotten in his way. His clone returning to him would have been very beneficial. Not only has he predicted correctly that the portal back in time could only be used once more he would have gotten the power that clone had back. He could only multiply himself so many times without significantly lessening his power.
Yes, Sesshomaru would pay. If not for him Nuriel would not have been able to return and the East would already be his.
That miko he protected seemed to be a good target for him. Dragon Blood had never tasted a Miko's blood. Although killing several he had not had the pleasure of torturing and defiling one so pure. Yet.
His red eyes flashed with excitement.
His victory would be sweet indeed.
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After his "training" with Shippo and Hotaru Sesshomaru had told them to go bath and to sleep. After they finished Sesshomaru bathed himself then headed towards his bedroom.
Entering his room, he undid his armor and placed it aside, his swords soon joining it. Undressing until he only has his pants on him he slid gracefully onto his bed laying on his back. Maybe sleep would come tonight.
Bluish black fabric stared down at him as he looked up at the top of his canopy bed.
The color similar to a certain miko's hair. He shut his eyes. Dashing his earlier thought. Sleep would not come easily this night.
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Sesshomaru gently caressed her soft cheek with his fingers. She had come back to him.
His miko looked up at him with a soft smile reaching her hand up to touch him.
Before she could her face distorted with pain tears pricked her eyes then fled down her cheeks.
"Kagome what is wrong?" Sesshomaru demanded as her hand fell to her side and her body slacked against his.
Her tears darkened red. The smell of her blood hit him, his eyes searching her over for what plagued her.
"Why weren't you there Sesshomaru?" She asked brokenly.
Sesshomaru grimaced at her accusation, holding her tightly to him.
His vision blurred and Kagome was no longer with him. Instead Dragon Blood loomed over the broken body of his miko in the distance.
"I look forward to enjoying your miko for you, Sesshomaru." Dragon Blood sneered. Lifting the girl by her hair and slowly licking the blood off her cheek, his eyes never leaving his.
With a viscous growl, Sesshomaru sat up in his bed. Glancing around quickly he confirmed nothing was amiss he slid a hand through his hair.
Moonlight filtered through his curtains flickering across his bare chest. Beads of sweat shimmering with the light. Letting his hand fall he looked out his window.
No there would not be any sleep tonight Sesshomaru thought.
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