Bird's Eye View

In the skies, soaring between the clouds, the rising sun took on the form of liquid fire. The magnificent reds mixed together with seas of orange, all shifting upon each other as the clouds rolled in their sluggish movements, too slow to escape the fires, but to massive to be left without the imprint of their glory.

High upon the winds, her wings gliding gracefully across the shifting currents and the rapid rises and falls of the radiant draws, Shaeda looked past the brilliant colors of the morn, past the fires in the skies and the roll of the mist in the clouds, focusing the eagle eyes bequeathed to her by Tagwin's power to the distant land below.

In the distance, but closing rapidly, she could make out the looming walls of the Western House. Once a great fortress, the most feared and revered in the land, now its great walls had fallen into disrepair, and the vibrant colors once spread through the lush gardens were muted and dulled with the dark growth that had overtaken in the absence of care. The great, sweeping, arches of the main house, still stood as looming juggernauts, intimidating in their presence, but mystifying and awe inspiring in their grace and beauty.

But there was no more beauty to be found in the House of the West, no more joy or love to be found within her guarded walls. This place was nothing more than a haunting memory to the greatness that had once graced her halls and chambers, a ghastly image of the past filled with dark thoughts and even darker emotions.

It was no wonder Sesshomaru refused to return to this place. Ever since the death of his father, he had never once set foot upon the grounds. The House had remained for many years under the direction of Mesudoku, but as the years past, the servants began to realize that their Lord would never take up the position once held by the great General inside the walls of the once glorious House. They had deserted, some moving on to other endeavors, some taking up new posts in the reformed armies and smaller stations held by the West. All that had remained were those more loyal to the Lady than to the Lord.

But Mesudoku was Lady to the West no more. With the young miko having rightfully stripped her of her claim by being the First Mate of the General, and with Sesshomaru standing by her, protecting her, asserting her claim; Mesudoku no longer held rights in the lands of the Western rule. But in the House, where she had spent so many of her years, had once thrived and relished in the great glory found as the powerful Lady, Mesudoku still held sway, still controlled those loyal to her, those who had stayed with her even after Sesshomaru had left her to her own devices.

Shaeda had never understood why Sesshomaru had left the bitch alive after what they all knew she had done, but then she had never been one to hold any interest in the political maneuverings of the councils. Orphaned when she was still too young to even remember the true faces of her parents, she had been found as nothing more than a scavenger by the gentle mare that would become her protector, her teacher, and the closest thing to a mother she would ever know.

She had always loved the story of how Meuma had rescued her from what would have been her fate.

It was summer, the heat of the afternoon oppressive with no breeze to carry away the heaviness in the air and no clouds in the sky to block out the burning rays of the sun. She had suffered under the scorching heat for so long, gone for so long without food or shelter or anything to keep her sane; that she had resorted to drastic measures just to stay alive.

Concealing herself with the form of one of the forest creatures, a harmless hare, skittish and small and not worth noticing, she had stolen into one of the primitive human settlements. The child had been left alone, its mother distracted by her chores, humming a soft tune to lull her baby to sleep. It hadn't taken much to coax the little one into following her, luring it away from the safety of its mother and its village. It had trailed behind her giddily, laughing and gurgling in the tongues of a child hardly able to walk as it chased the soft fur of her concealed form.

Once away from the village, she had reverted to her true form, not having enough strength to take on any other. Upon seeing her, the child had screeched in terror, the noise it made a sickening howl that even now made her blood run cold with the memory. But she had been so desperate, so hungry, so close to death, she hadn't had a choice. With an anguished hiss, she had attacked.

But her attack would never be completed. Instead of sinking her claws and fangs into the weak mortal flesh of the innocent babe, she had slammed into the immobile form of the terrible Inu. Reeling back from the powerful youkai, she had no time to think or move before he had her in his grasps. Fearing for her life, Shaeda had done the only thing she could think of: she changed.

Blending herself with the surging energies of the youkai that held her, she took on his form, his power, his strength, and his speed. She was far too young to accomplish such a feat, far too inexperienced to hold such a complex transformation or to control such unlimited sources of power; but the change had allowed her to siphon off some the Inu's mighty strength. Her energy had returned in an instant, and, using a burst of poorly controlled power stolen from the youkai combined with the element of surprise as he was confronted not with a pathetic little orphaned youkai but with a mirror image of himself and all of his great strength, she had managed to free herself from his grasp and use his speed to bolt her into the covering of the trees.

Almost instantly, the form she had taken began to disperse. Without the control or the strength needed to hold onto such a magnificent form, she had found herself once again taking on a form more true to her being. Terrified, she continued fleeing for her life, a small part of her, that part still connected to him, knowing that he pursued her.

Chancing a look back to catch a glimpse of the Inu, she hadn't taken notice of the other youkai blocking her path ahead. She had collided with it forcefully, the impact sprawling her out on the ground in a heap of exhausted and trembling limbs. When she had finally managed to lift herself, she found that the Inu had caught up with her, but rather than advancing on her, he was being faced down by a beautiful female.

Her long mane of dark hair spilled down around her in rippling waves of black that shifted slightly as it flowed with a light breeze not blowing anywhere but for in her presence. She stood tall against the Inu, her petite frame not backing down at all in the presence of the larger and more powerful youkai. Her eyes shifted, and Shaeda could remember so clearly the moment those soft blue eyes fell on her for the first time, so filled with compassion, with wisdom, and with love. But then they turned again, landing on the Inu, hardening so fiercely that even the child that she was could see the male flinch from the intensity of it.

When the female had spoken, the beautiful softness of her was no more as she used her viper's tongue to tear into the Inu for acting so boorishly as to chase down a small child so obviously in need of care. She scolded him relentlessly, not caring in the slightest when he informed her of who he was or of his position, never backing down until she had forced him to apologize to the 'poor child' and promised to leave her in her capable hands.

After that, Shaeda had become a child under the care of Meuma. Often after that day, the General had come to visit with the old mare and her mate, and to bring beautiful gifts for Shaeda that she would hold a treasures. But the most glorious gift had come the day the General brought with him his pup, his son. Shaeda had grown up with Sesshomaru, the two of them being joined not long after by the vibrant presence of Tagwin who added flair and danger to their games and who always had them laughing, not caring if it was at his expense.

It was a peaceful time, a time full of joy and laughter. Many times she had gone with the General to walk the great halls of the Western House, played with Sesshomaru and Tagwin in the gardens while the elders would take to their talks and negotiations within the great walls.

But after the death of the General, all of that had changed.

And now an army was rising again within the walls of the Western House, but not one that would fight for the West, not one that would fight for freedom or for peace or for mercy. The army that gathered was one in service to Mesudoku and her wicked plans. So bold, so completely sure of herself, the old bitch dared to gather her forces on Sesshomaru's own land. The banner of the West still flew on the battlements, but Shaeda knew that within the guarded walls, the words being spoken were ones of treachery and betrayal.

It was unfortunate that, while possessing Tagwin's eyes and even his ability to see through the thick walls of the House, she did not have his patience, and so could not read the lips of those speaking within having never learned the feat even after so many times being told she may one day need it. She silently cursed her protests to the lessons now, knowing she was in for a big 'I told you so' from that annoying bird once she returned. But even without being able to discern their plans, she could take a survey of the troops gathered and the different threats posed by the array of youkai species present.

So, circling carefully high above detection and concealed well within the clouds, Shaeda began her scan over the area.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

"You are bold, Mesudoku," the dark hanyou observed with his slick, liquid voice as her settled his dark gaze on the Inu bitch, "To gather your forces within the walls of Sesshomaru's own father's House. Is this act of treason gratifying to you in some way? Or, perhaps, you seek your death sooner than I would wish it."

With a slight wave of her hand at Naraku's comment, Mesudoku settled herself comfortably onto her elaborate chair at the head of he great hall. "I am only doing what my son had ordered," she replied without waver. "At his command, the armies of the West are to be gathered. Such was the meaning of his call only two nights ago."

Naraku smirked wickedly. "How motherly of you; to support your son in his cause even though it spells the end for your reign over his House."

"This House belongs to me," she sneered, her impassive features being broken by her deep resentment and anger. "That human whore will never have any claims. The council will rule against her, and she along with her bastard child and any who support them will fall to their fates."

"Including your son?"

"Especially that traitorous whelp."

Satisfied that the bitch was truly dedicated to overthrowing the Inu Lord, Naraku turned their discussion from pleasantries to more strategically relevant planning. "Sesshomaru has many supporters in this. There are those in the council that would still be persuaded by the memory of your once mate, as well as those that have grown soft to the human cause."

"You give too much thought to human filth," Mesudoku spit, her golden eyes narrowing disdainfully on the figure standing before her. "But then, I suppose I could expect no less from a hanyou. Not even that scoundrel dog could persuade the council to take notice of the plight of those barbaric creatures. They are of no consequence."

"You dismiss them too easily, Mesudoku," Naraku chided with a thick chuckle. "You forget that the girl is a miko, and the miko of the Shikon at that. She holds great power of her own, but it is her voice that shall bring about the human revolution against your kind. How easily will the council dismiss the threat of an army composed of mortals armed with their sacred arts? Do you think that they will be blind to such supports? Do you think it wise that you be?"

"I grow tired of your attempts at maneuvering me, hanyou. If you wish to say something to me, say it. My patience with you wears thin."

Having heard enough of the bitch's insults, Naraku moved in on her, reaching down to warp his hand around her slender throat and dragging the bitch to her feet. "Remember to whom you speak, bitch," he spit out angrily in her face. "I keep you alive only for the purpose you serve me. Do not test my good graces with your disrespect."

Inwardly seething, but knowing well that the hanyou filth would carry out on his threats, Mesudoku submitted herself to his hold. "My apologies, Naraku," she told him calmly, her voice thick with seductive charm. "War is such a tiring ordeal. Surely not something meant for a Lady to partake in. It is better suited for the strength and will of powerful males such as yourself." Smiling as she felt his hold grow slack, Mesudoku brought her hands up to massage his arm, loosening the muscles that held her even more. "Tell me," she purred, "what plans would you have me carry out for you, master?"

Cringing in disgust from across the room at the bitch's displays, Kagura willed herself to focus instead on what Naraku was telling her. The self-absorbed bastard was too involved in his own perverse dealings with the Inu bitch that he had all but forgotten that she was still present. All the better for her. She knew why she was here: Naraku, the true coward that he is, refused to enter the Western House while the troops were gathering within her walls. Even knowing the forces belonged to Mesudoku and not Sesshomaru, Naraku would spare nothing when it concerned his safety.

So, she listened raptly for anything that might give away the dark hanyou's future plans, for anything that might give her the opportunity to make her move. He was speaking of the miko's companions; of the Monk and Taijiya that had each recently departed from the miko's company. Naraku was certain that Sesshomaru had dispatched them to gather forces to their cause, and he was trying to convince Mesudoku of the necessary use of some of her more experienced warriors to take them out of the picture.

The wind witch had almost laughed at the way the bitch had so elegantly asked why it was that Naraku himself was not using his own beasts against such meager threats. She knew why, they both knew why. Naraku was coward with not even the courage to stand against simple mortals.

But the dark hanyou, slick and sly as ever and always with a plan, had easily maneuvered the bitch into his way of thinking by informing her that it would be best that the miko's heart be darkened to the cause she stood for. With her most cherished friends being slain at the hands of the youkai she was seeking to work alongside, her resolve would be left weakened, her desire to fight weighed down by her own heavy heart, and her ability to lead decimated. Those perhaps contemplating her position now would be witness to her weakness and fragile emotions and revolt at the pathetic image of her humanity, effectively turning on her and Sesshomaru, breaking faith with their cause and destroying their hopes at victory.

It was a wicked plan, one of cowardice and of maliciousness; but one fit for a creature as dark and disgusting as Naraku.

However, as Naraku and Mesudoku continued speaking of what their plans should entail, Kagura began picking up on a slight shifting of the winds. No one else would have been able to detect it. Even she had hardly recognized it for what it was until perhaps the third or fourth pass. But it was there, just out of range of detection for anyone but one that could hear the winds as they howled and shifted, hear their whispering as they spoke of the land and the air and of all the creatures upon them.

A spy.

Keeping her movement discrete as to not make herself known, Kagura turned her gaze to the boy standing mutely by the door. She knew he was of the same mind as her, that he wanted Naraku dead as surely as she did. But the boy would never allow his actions to betray him. By all outward appearances, he was Naraku's puppet; but it had been his eyes that had given him away to the witch. There was a longing hidden beneath the dark, clouded surfaces; a longing she understood all too well.

She caught his eyes, holding them for a moment before allowing her vision to shift towards the sky and then the door. The boy didn't make any motion to acknowledge her, but before she could give any more thought to what more she could do to convey her message to him without words, he had disappeared, slipped into the shadows as silent as a ghost.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

A sharp glint of a blade caught Shaeda's eye. At first she had thought it nothing more than one of the solders below engaging in some pointless battle or skirmish, but the sharp flashing continued, almost rhythmic in its motion. It was a beacon, she realized suddenly. Someone had recognized her presence and was trying to contact her.

Focusing her vision, she found the source of the light to be a young boy. He was standing on a rooftop far back from the main barracks and the gathering of troops, holding a scythe in his hands and moving it repetitively to catch the light of the rising sun. She scanned the area closely, checking for any sign of a trap. But she found none.

Curious, and not wanting to waste the opportunity to gather information about the enemy camp, she slowly began to bring herself down from the clouds.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

"Why, good mornin' tos ya, girlie," Tagwin greeted the young priestess as she made her way out into the fields surrounding the keep.

She smiled happily in greeting. "Good morning, Tagwin. I see you've got the pleasure of keeping Rin out of trouble this time."

"Out'a trouble?" the eagle asked as he tilted his head to look up into the tree the girl was climbing in. He smiled widely and gave the girl a wink when she waved down to him before turning back to Kagome. "Why, I'sa ne're avoid trouble whens I can help it."

Laughing lightly, Kagome shook her head slightly, amazed that she believed him completely. "I still can't believe that Sesshomaru puts up with you," she confessed as she found herself a comfortable seat in the grass beside the bird. "You just seem so happy all the time, and I've known Sesshomaru for three years and last night was the first time I've even seen him smile." She paused for a moment to look at Tagwin, but when his only reaction to her words was a soft smile, she added for emphasis, "Ever!"

"You'sa must be good fors him then," the bird told her with a chuckle, but seeing her angry glare and realizing she was looking for more in the way of an explanation, he sighed. "It'sa ne'er use'a be like 'dis," he told her slowly as he leaned himself back languidly, supporting himself on his outstretched arms. "Sess, he use'a laugh all de time, like his daddy. But when de General dies, it breaks us all up real good, it did. Sess da most. Ne'er got o'er it, ne'er smiled again. Blamed his mamma, ya know. Could ne'er prove it, but he knew. We all knew. Dat bitch was no good from da start. General knew it too, even 'fore he'sa mated her. But she'sa powerful enough to make him a strong boy, and her'sa daddy gave'sa General a good treaty. For da future, he would'a said."

"That sounds like him," Kagome offered quietly. "But it's so sad."

"Well ain't no use in cryin' 'bout da past," Tagwin cut in sharply. "Dead is dead, but we'sa gots to 'member the ways he lived." Pausing, Tagwin looked up into the tree above him at the sound of Rin calling down to him. "Well gets down here girl," he called back to her, "a'fore Sess sees you'sa climbin' like a monkey."

"But, uncle Tagwin," the girl whined, "I wanted to see the way you do."

"And I'sa told you," he laughed in response, "Dat you ain'ta gonna find it up dat tree. Now gets down here, girl. I'sa gots a story fors ya."

"A story?" Rin chirped happily. "Is it a good one?"

"When'sa my stories ever bad?" the bird challenged, looking almost affronted by the innocent question of a little girl.

But Rin just laughed gleefully, before spreading her arms and leaping off her perch in the tree. Like lightning, Tagwin had unfolded his wings and pushed off from the ground to collect the girl, bringing her back safely to the ground with him before the dust had even settled after his departure.

"You'sa needs to be more careful, Rin girl," Tagwin chided her gently as he settled her into his lap. "Don'ta wants you endin' up like ol' Tagwin."

Unfolding his great wings, he wrapped one forward to cover Rin in his soft feathers. "Poor, poor baby bird," he began his tale, "Fell'sa from his nest. Momma always said: broken wing is'a broken bird. But we'sa all knows d'ere ain'ta no job too big for da big dog. Heal'sa me right up, he did." Taking hold of one of Rin's little hands, he lifted it to rest on the bridge of his wing where it separated from his broad shoulders. "Put'sa one o' his fangs right here."

Smiling happily to the little girl, Tagwin shifted his hold on her, poking his finger gently into her stomach and causing her to erupt in a fit of gleeful giggles. "Heal'sa yourself right up, ya hear: he says to me. I'sa ain't taking no fors an answer."

Finally breaking away from the bird's tickling torment, Rin threw herself into Kagome's arms, still giggling lightly as she turned back to Tagwin to her the rest of his story. For a moment he said nothing, his gaze directed towards the keep, but after flashing the girls a bright smile, he continued again.

"Comes back to check on me, he did. Brings a li'll Sess wit' him." A playful wink as he tried to control his laughter. "Should'a seen him girls. Cutest li'll t'ing. How many times, Sess," he asked without turning to face the new presence, "you'sa try to catch a bird in a tree a'fore you realize dogs can'ta fly." He laughed then, knowing that he was likely on the receiving end of one of Sesshomaru's trademark death glares, and not caring in the slightest to turn and see it. "Best'a friends since then, we'sa were," he continued telling the girls. "Seen'a many t'ings togea'der, fights'a many battles too."

"Tagwin," Sesshomaru finally decided he needed to cut the bird off from his stories. While amusing at times, this was hardly the time to be indulging in such. "You were to be discussing strategy with the miko, not wasting time with idle conversation."

"Strategy?" the bird asked with a slight laugh. "What'sa d'ere to know? Find da dead one. Don'ta get shot wit' her arrows."

Kagome gasped softly. "You're going after Kikyo?"

"Aw, not to worry, li'll miss," Tagwin soothed her, his lips parting in another of his flashy smiles. "I'sa tough bird. Ain't nothin' can reach me in da skies. Only Tagwin sees what is an' what isn't from all da way up d'ere."

"See but not hear," Sesshomaru cut in. "Lift your eyes, Tagwin. Shaeda has returned."

Blinking in shock as he tilted his head back, Tagwin allowed his eyes to adjust to the distance. He could see Shaeda circling above them, but she was refusing to land. For an instant, her eyes locked with his, and then she tilted on the winds and headed east.

Forcing away his disapproving frown and hiding it under a smile, Tagwin looked back to Sesshomaru. "Must'a found sometin' at da House. She goes east."

Sesshomaru nodded slightly at the news. Shaeda always was one to jump into things without too much thought. Whatever she had found, he only hoped that she would keep herself out of trouble. Her gifts, while impressive in their own right, would only serve her so far. She acted tough, could even be a force to be reckoned with if angered; but she was still not used to battle, still soft to the plights of others. Spending so much time with Meuma had done that to her. She had gained the old mare's appreciation of all things living, and it caused her to hesitate when she should simply strike out.

But there was nothing to be done about it now. Until Reiku returned with Myoga, Sesshomaru couldn't chance taking the miko away from the security of the keep. He wouldn't allow her to overexert herself any more than absolutely necessary until her health and that of her child was assured.

He brought his focus back to Tagwin. "Time for you to get going," he told him. "You have three days to locate the dead one. Find swift winds, Tagwin."

"An' you be takin' care, Sess," the eagle replied as he stood. "Don't give too much, but not too li'll neither." He smiled suddenly, turning to Kagome and giving her a wink. "Be seein' ya, girlie. Take care o' my Rin girl. And 'member," he added as he spread his wings out in their full glory of blazing red and shimmering gold, "D'ere always da next time."

Standing to watch as the eagle lifted onto the winds and slowly began fading from her sights, Kagome pondered over his words. "Sesshomaru?" she asked curiously. "What did he mean by 'the next time'?"

Sesshomaru spared a look at the little miko, wondering himself what exactly Tagwin had meant by his last words. Usually, he could sort through the eagle's cryptic comments with ease, but this time he knew there was something else entirely hidden in the meaning. But, not wanting to admit to the miko he didn't know either, he simply turned from her, gesturing for her to follow him back to the keep.

Kagome scowled slightly at his back. He was so annoying at times! A slight tugging at her hand though, stirred Kagome from her darker thoughts. She looked down to the little girl tugging her forwards to follow Sesshomaru. Sighing, and shrugging her shoulders to brush off her annoyance, Kagome forced a smile and followed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I think my spell checker was about ready to have a heart attack when it was checking Tagwin's speech ;P Ah well, it was fun while it lasted.

You know, I don't think I like how I split this story up. I realized, after the fact just to make it so much more annoying, that with each character having gone a separate direction, that I would actually have to write each character separately to explain what they were doing (yeah, I know, that should have been obvious right off the bat, but what can I say, I have blonde moments too. And besides, I never really think about what's happening next. It's all about what's happening now. Tears was the only fic I actually had a plan for when I started it….lol which would explain why now that the plan had all but been finished I am left at a brick wall as to what to do next). Anyways, I guess there's not all that much to be done about it now…sooo complaining likely isn't going to help me out. But hey! What would a story be without a few bumps in the road?

Well, later all

Shadow