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"What's the meaning of all this?" Inuyasu said as he stood up, his eyes wide at his son's sudden intrusion and unexpected words. He could tell by the somber look on his son's face that a matter of some importance had come up. Astonishment washed over his features at Inukatsu's news. He had been worried that something sinister was in the works, but he never imagined it would be on such a scale as what he was currently hearing. He was even more amazed that the wolves had managed to keep it so well hidden.

"Are you sure this information is genuine?" Inuyasu asked, his mind hoping desperately that it was some ruse cooked up by the wolves.

"I believe it is," Inukatsu said. "At any rate, is far too troubling to ignore. I think we should act upon it unless we find evidence to the contrary." he told his father. "We should assemble all our available warriors and prepare to depart as soon as possible."

Inuyasu nodded gravely. It wasn't long after preparations had begun that Inuyasu had his answer as to the truth of the situation. Word was brought that a winded and desperate messenger from the west had arrived. The message was simple and grievous. An attack was being rallied against the clan in the west; their spies had brought back word that an assault was planned upon the castle itself in only three days time.

By mid-afternoon, everyone was ready to leave from the south. Inukatsu hoped that he could trust Misaki's word that no harm would come to the castle after all the forces had left. After all, they didn't have much of a choice. They would need every soldier they could muster in order to fight the dragon clan. He tried to stave off the fears playing at the back of his mind. Thoughts of Kinome in danger and the very real possibility that he may not survive the battle kept prying at the edges of his consciousness. Now, however, was not the time to let such things cloud his judgement. He finished his necessary tasks silently, his eyes fixed upon the western skyline.

"Do you think you will be able to make it in time?" a voice asked from behind him. It was Misaki. Her voice still sounded strange to him, everything seemed to be happening as if it were some odd dream.

"If we press hard, we should make it by nightfall two days from now," he replied as he turned to face her. "Hopefully that will be enough time to gather all of our forces and make a measurable stand."

Misaki looked sadly at the ground. She knew what kind of casualties were likely to come from a battle of this magnitude. She wished terribly that they had known of all this sooner. "Is it possible that even the small advance in warning I brought may be of help?" she asked hopefully.

Inukatsu smiled at her warmly. "Every second counts in matters such as these," he told her. "Even the most decisive battles can take place in only a few minutes." he said. "It may be the deciding factor in our victory; you can never know for certain."

"Please, take care as best you can." she said, her voice pleading. She couldn't imagine her old friend not returning after all was said and done.

"You have my word." he told her sincerely. She had changed much over the short time she had been away, he thought as he watched her standing before him. He mentally shook his head. The only thing that had really changed was that she had ceased to be afraid of showing her true self to everyone. He wondered what or who had caused this awakening in her, but was content to know that she seemed to finally be secure in herself.

"I will see you when I return," he said as a farewell before assembling to depart. He reached out and gave her shoulder a squeeze. She watched him go, and realized that he too had changed. No longer did he fight against his responsibilities or rebel against his true feelings. He was secure in himself now as well. She was glad both for Inukatsu and herself, and gave a wry smile at the unexpected paths that had led them to it. The sun was bright overhead as the ranks left for the west, and an eerie silence played in on the warm autumn breeze after they had gone. Misaki stood for what seemed like a long time, listening to the wind stir the drying leaves on the trees just outside the castle walls.

Kinome walked through the gardens with Inutaisho, and noted that the day was unusually warm for it to be fall. It almost felt like the end of summer again. It was early in the day as well, and she looked down at her young nephew who walked quietly beside her, waving a long stem of grass as he stared down at the path.

"You certainly are quiet," she told him, "and you're training must have been short today." she observed.

"I haven't been training today, only studying." he said, sounding rather troubled. "Father stays in and talks and talks with his advisors." he told her.

A feeling of unease welled up again in Kinome. For the past few days, things had seemed to be getting tense around the castle, and many messengers had been leaving and coming in. The guards seemed to be on special alert as well, and there were more around than usual. She was beginning to fear that trouble was afoot, and what Inutaisho had just told her did nothing to alay that fear.

"People are whispering that there is going to be a battle of some kind." Inutaisho said suddenly and quietly, as if on cue. "They are saying that the dragons are coming to attack us, but they only speak softly among themselves and tell each other to say nothing to anyone else." he said, stopping to look up at his aunt. "I don't want to ask father. It will probably make him angry." he said, as if explaining why he didn't have any further information.

"You needn't worry about battles anyway." she said protectively. "You must leave those matters to your father and his soldiers." she told him. She found the nearest bench and promptly sat down. Rumors such as those didn't circulate lightly. Surely no one would come up with a story of a battle with dragons just for gossip's sake.

"But Miss Kinome, I promised I would protect you!" he said as he ran up to where she sat. He looked almost offended. "If there is going to be a great battle, then I want to know!" he nearly shouted.

Kinome wanted to smile, but in reality his adamance at such a young age could be dangerous. She thought for a moment and then leaned over to face him. "Let us worry about those things only if the situation arises, and if it does then it would be best for you to listen to the direction of your father." she told him, her tone serious. "He has seen many battles after all." she reasoned.

"I suppose you are right." he said, his tone downcast. "But I will protect you; I promised." he said, just as determined as ever.

"Let us not talk about it anymore right now." she said in an effort to change the subject. "Why don't we go and feed the fish instead? There are likely to be many stirring today since the sun is so warm." she offered. Inutaisho agreed, but followed along silently, his mood turning somber again.

The rest of the day passed quickly for Kinome, who drifted in and out of her concentration on her own thoughts for the most part of the afternoon. Inutaisho returned to the castle for his evening studies, and she made her way inside also as the evening wore on. The day's unusual warmth fled with the sinking sun, and the air grew chilly though the sun was at least an hour from setting.

She returned to her quarters and sat down to write her mother a letter as the day's last light faded. She was in the process of lighting her lamp when she heard voices outside the door. One she knew to be Inuhide, the other belonged to another male that she didn't recognize. She surmised that it must be one of his officers due to the nature of the conversation. She found it curious that they chose to stop just outside her door to speak, and thought that surely they could sense her presence only feet away, unless they were too engrossed to notice. She smiled as she thought perhaps they believed her ears too weak to pick up their hushed tones. True or not, they continued their conversation.

"The messenger we sent should have arrived in the south this morning," Inuhide was saying. "Inuyasu and his soldiers should be here two evenings from now, perhaps early on the morning that the battle is supposed to take place." he said. "Right now, the plan is to leave before daylight and catch them as far away from the castle as we can so the battle doesn't take place here. Obviously, attacking them first on their own territory would be suicide, so we must wait and ride out to meet them." he explained.

"Do you think help from the south will arrive in time?" the officer asked Inuhide.

"I sent word that if they were unable to make it earlier than the third morning, to look for battle as they approach and join when they can." he answered. "Time is against us. We are lucky we have any chance at gathering help on such short notice." he said. "If any other information reaches me, I will let you know in oder to pass it along to the ranks." Inuhide said, ending the conversation. The two shadows at the door departed then, both going in different directions.

Kinome sat motionless in her room, her lamp still dark. So all the rumors Inutaisho had heard were true. She swallowed hard; her throat had become dry in listening to the two men discussing battle. So Inuyasu and Inukatsu were coming as well to aid their western allies. Kinome shivered in the darkening room full of gray shapes, as night stole the color away from everything. Between the chill night air creeping into the room and her own fear, she felt as though she were freezing.