Chapter 28: War Council Meetings

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

-x-X-x-

-Kikyou-

The halls of the castle are dark and suffocating, only dimly lit by lamps, but I glided through as if it did not affect me. It did. The Eastern castle had always welcomed the light coming from both the sun and the moon, and the decorations of our winding corridors had always reflected our love for nature. It seemed the Northern castle of the dragons favor to reflect fire and destruction.

I reached the heavy stone doors where Naraku currently resides and it opened on its own accord before I could even announce my presence. He must have been waiting for me. "Naraku, I have sent scouts to gather information for us," I spoke, making my way to him.

He sat in front of a huge table filled with maps, scrolls, and writings that did not mean anything to me. Four dragon generals sat around the table, sprouting war tactics to him.

Without looking away from the map of Eastern lands, he spoke in his quiet but ominous voice, "Several lands from the East still belong to us, people held as hostages. Would the father you failed to kill be willing to march for them?"

I tried to hold my ground, my heart thundering in my chest. I failed him. He probably wanted my head for it, but he still needed my knowledge regarding the Eastern lands and the support of my army. "I would kill him. I swear it."

This time, he slanted his dark eyes at me, and I almost shuddered. There was evilness there before, but after he killed his father to absorb his power, he finally became the devil. "You swore that before, yet you did not fulfill it. I am starting to think that you are not capable of even laying a finger on your father."

"That's not true! If there were anyone I hate in this world next to Kagome, it would be him. You know that."

"Do I?" He said so softly, it sent a shiver down my spine. "All I know right now is that you are a failure and we are losing."

I was shaking my head before he could finish, stepping behind him and wrapping my arms around his lean shoulders to whisper against his ear. "We have the biggest army in the country, dragons that could breathe fire and lay waste to our enemies, and you and I are standing together. We are strong."

"The Western Lands are already calling in allies to stand against us. You dare to underestimate the clans of inu-youkai?"

"Why? What is it the inu-youkai have that we do not?"

He turned his head to look directly in my eyes. "Honor."

I raised a brow at him and slowly, his lips turned upward in a smirk. "It would be their downfall," I whispered, smiling at him.

Finally, he laughed and stood away from the messy table. "Kikyou. How could the Eastern lord ever spawn an evil like you?" He grabbed my flowing hair, yanking me roughly towards his chest. I grunted, trying not to fight him off. "Do not fail me again," he said, emphasizing each word. "If you did, you better just kill yourself, understood?"

I swallowed, trying not to spit hate at him. "Never again."

"Good." He let me go just as roughly and slowly turned towards the stone doors. "Our enemies are preparing against us. We would not allow that to be too successful. Tomorrow, dragons would siege the South while their lady meets with the arrogant Sesshomaru. And you would show me where your loyalties truly lie."

-x-X-x-

-Kagome-

Contrary to everyone's beliefs, I had always been terribly nervous in meeting people and far too self-conscious of what I was.

In a world of youkai, hanyous are nothing but a waste of space, a disgrace who should not even have the right to meddle in the affairs of the youkai world, and so being the delegate of the East for the war council would be greatly criticized.

"Stop fiddling, my lady," a kind, but amused voice spoke out of nowhere, making me jump a little. I had been to preoccupied with my own thoughts to sense someone approaching, which was not good, considering that anyone could be ambushed right now.

"Toga-sama!" I exclaimed, glaring at him. "What are you doing in my room?"

"Well, the lords have arrived. I thought I might escort you in the council." Translation: I am providing you protection against the hostility of the youkai lords. I appreciated Toga-sama and his efforts to make me feel welcome, but I needed to truly learn to be proud of being me, instead of just pretending to be.

"Thank you, Toga-sama. But I don't need an escort!" I said, crossing my arms. "I'm a grown-up lady."

He fondly laughed at me, probably already understanding what was on my mind, and respected me enough to allow me to make my own decisions. "As you wish, my lady. Also, emerald favors you, brings out your beauty. Come on then, we would be waiting."

When he was gone, I took a look at my reflection, wondering if there was really beauty there. I grew up hating but trying to emulate Kikyou, always in awe of her beauty, intelligence, and talent.

She had always been everything I wanted to become, but after her betrayal, I realized that despite all that she possessed, she still chooses to follow the path of envy and greed. And now I had to stop her.

I slowly walked towards the palace hall, keenly aware of the formidable aura emanating from there, but a familiar one dominates them all.

Sesshomaru.

His aura is calm, but demanding. Clearly showing his authority over the inu-youkai lords and Southern lords and then it draped over me like a blanket of fur, seemingly caressing and giving comfort.

I stopped just outside the door, wondering why he was doing something so intimate. But when he withdrew his aura, I felt so depraved and wanting more. Suddenly, my nervousness of the meeting vanished because all I wanted now was to get Sesshomaru alone and ask him when he would start making me his.

-x-X-x-

-Sesshomaru-

I stared at the maps of the four most powerful lands in the country, trying to find all the possible places of ambush, which our army could utilize, and marking them as dangerous sectors since the North could use them for a siege. "Jaken," I called out quietly, deciding it was time to head for the palace hall where our allies are currently gathering.

"Sesshomaru-sama?" He entered with a questioning look. I simply handed him the maps so I could show it to the war council.

"Has father arrived?" I asked, knowing that he would be thinking of escorting Kagome to the meeting in order to provide protection. I could have gone to her, but I knew I would do more harm by making her unnecessarily wound up and it would make our allies more hostile as I show her such favor.

"Yes, sire. Everyone is gathered, except for the hanyou. Toga-sama has already started to talk with them."

Strange. Why would father leave Kagome behind? "Kagome," I corrected. "She is the sole delegate of the East, show her respect."

I could feel his fear as he gulped his agreement and I realized just how many more incidences like this I would meet in the future, with the people who have more power to counter my decision of siding with her, but I found myself indifferent, as long as I could have her.

I allowed my aura to wash over the palace hall before I could enter, showing dominance but inclining my head to the head delegate of the South. "Lady Toran," I greeted. "It is good of you to come here again."

She was part of the Calling, as the Lord of the South planned to marry her with me, thus, solidifying their presence in Western lands, but today, she looked entirely in control of herself—a true leader. She must have tried to act like other demonesses while she was here in order to blend in and fulfill her father's wishes of being chosen.

Then I sent a brief but questioning look towards my father, he'd know that I was looking for Kagome, but he just gave me a small shake of his head and I got what he meant. She is so stubborn, always wanting to stand by herself.

"The panther tribe would stand together with the West and our Lord, our King, shall see to it that all resources are poured into the battle against the North," she spoke, gaining nods and affirmative noises around us.

While she was speaking, I immediately felt Kagome's approach and wished that I could come outside and provide protection, but I knew that would only throw everything into disarray, considering that Lady Toran used to be part of the choices for my mate.

So I stretched out my aura to where she was standing just outside the door, blanketing her with as much warmth and encouragement that my dignity would allow.

She responded properly, like someone who was inviting a chase, meeting me with a spark of her powers that both gave permission and rebuffed me. My stubborn hanyou. I answered her rebuff with respect, retreating and anticipating her entrance so I could see her.

"I have tried to tell them the last we knew about the North's attacks. Currently, they are remaining silent, but steadily guarding the lands they have taken from Lord Akio, lord of the East," father told me, pointing at the maps that Jaken was laying down at the huge table in our midst.

"The East have suffered many losses and must be losing hope every day due to their Lady's betrayal," princess Karan said, empathic and angry at the same time. She was the second-born of the South with the command of the fire element opposite of her elder sister's command of ice.

"Who is their delegate then, Sesshomaru-sama?" one of the inu-youkai lords from our seven clans asked, with a hint of irritation on his face.

At that moment, Kagome entered the hall and everyone turned to look at her, but her sapphire eyes landed straight to me, as if she did not care about all the powerful youkai surrounding her. There was something in her eyes that placed me in high alert, my instinct responding to her call. "Kagome," I spoke, not breaking eye contact with her. "The second-born of the East."

She slowly smiled, nodded once at me, and addressed the room. "Now, the Lady of the East, after my sister defected to the North."

"And how could we possibly believe you are not a cohort of your sister?" Another inu-youkai lord spoke, his hostility not that veiled.

"My sister has tried to kill me, attacking the Middle lands I have sworn to protect. Sesshomaru-sama knew that," she said confidently, her aura calm and steady.

"I was there," I supplied, nodding to the seat to my side for her to take. "And we are not here to interrogate the Lady of the East. She has my trust."

This stopped the line of questioning directed at her, but did not stop the hostility of the inu-youkai lords or the thinly veiled hisses of the panthers of the South. I ignored them because it did not even affect Kagome in any way, it only serves to amuse her as she took her seat.

"I can lend knowledge about the ins and outs of the Eastern lands. I also know how Kikyou thinks, however, most attacks are not planned by her, but by Naraku," Kagome said, not able to hide her disdain as she spoke of the Northern traitor's name.

"Hnn. What is important now is for us to stop the North from gaining more allies and more lands," I said, pointing at the maps. "We have sent guards at our borders, but they would not attack directly. Dragons would use treachery instead."

"Indeed," Lady Toran said. "Our borders are being patrolled now, however, the North has obtained the support of the water nymphs and youkai. We worry for our southernmost border as it faces the ocean."

"They could easily use that for an ambush attack," father said.

"We deployed our largest battalion there. This is why we could not commit the number of people you are requesting for we have a need for them as well," she informed us, looking resolute and a touch apologetic at the same time.

"That is worrisome," Kagome interjected. "Water nymphs use trickery very well that even seasoned youkai warlords can be put under a spell."

"That is true," I echoed, cutting whatever princess Karan was about to say, which seemed to be hostile in nature. "How would you protect your battalion from the spells?"

"My lord," Lady Toran started, directing a glare towards Kagome. "We have placed our most-trusted general there and we can assure you of his abilities to combat simple water nymphs.

"I have miko powers," Kagome announced and from what I knew, this would be the first time she would publicly say such information. "I could enact barrier and certain spells against them, immediately stopping mind control."

I was shaking my head before she could even finish, because how could I allow someone so precious to me in the middle of battlefield? But father squeezed my arm before I could speak.

"We are launching an all-out attack tomorrow in the East, there are people who are trapped under the Northern's occupancy there at the moment and leaving the East vulnerable for too long is not beneficial for both of our lands."

"We can send ten battalions in the morning," princess Karan said.

"You can send twenty and still have enough to patrol your borders and protect your fortress," one of the inu-youkai lords spoke, which seemed to anger the Southern guards.

"You are asking us to empty our lands?" Lady Toran asked in disbelief.

"The North would concentrate their armies in the East. Attacking the South would mean depleting their resources," he further argued.

"Sesshomaru-sama, surely, you do not wish for the same thing," Lady Toran turned to me, her eyes ice-cold with anger.

"No," I said. "I need ten battalions in the East and another ten with me. You might be forgetting that the border we share in the northwest is occupied by the spider youkais."

Kagome voiced out her agreement and added, "They have the support of many land youkai clans, who are known for their agility and high capacity of healing within seconds, they could be formidable once they launched an attack."

They ignored her, addressing me directly. "But, my lord—"

"You must know that we are sending more than thrice the army than you would." I interrupted. "Sacrifices are inevitable in times of war, particularly of this scale, which involves the entire demon world."

Lady Toran to look at her sister, who seemed resigned but determined, and princess Karan nodded her assent, turning to address me resolutely. "If the West falls, there is no one for us to turn to. The only way to survive now is for our lands to stay together."

"So be it," Lady Toran declared, cementing the decision. "I would be honest, lady Kagome, I have doubts in the East since the blood of the traitor stains your lands. But the fall of the East would turn the tide in Naraku's favor. You have the largest supply of food and raw materials in all the lands, all of these cannot fall in North's hands."

Princess Karan gave Kagome a tight smile. "Hence, we would gladly welcome your assistance in dealing with the water nymphs."

The statement caught me by surprise but seemed to please Kagome. "I understand your hesitations because I am a hanyou and now I have traitor's blood. However, you and I want the same thing—it is for this terror to end."

And with that, our first war meeting has concluded, but I was not finished with Kagome's decision to travel for danger.

-x-X-x-

-Kagome-

Once the delegates for the war council had left in preparation for the upcoming battle, I retreated in the palace garden. The midday sun shone brightly, illuminating the blooming flowers around me, and the peacefulness surrounding me both brought happiness and determination to my heart. I shall ensure that our people would taste such peacefulness in our lands. Soon.

I could feel Sesshomaru's approaching figure, his aura clearly revealing his frustration. He did not like me to go as far as South goes in order to help fight off the trickery of water nymphs and other youkais who depend on illusions.

He stopped just a step away behind me. "Kagome," he whispered and I felt it like an embrace.

"It does not depend on you," I replied, because my sudden realization of actually wanting to be with him would not impede me from helping out in this war. "This is my decision."

"And my concern means nothing to you? Nothing at all?" He sounded agitated, unlike the Sesshomaru I knew.

"Why would you be concerned with a lowly hanyou like me?" I may be flirting a little, am I even doing it right?

"You are asking. Does that mean you are ready?" His tone held a lot of challenge, but a bit of hesitation too. As if he found it unlikely for me to be ready for whatever he had in mind.

Am I ready? Opening my heart to him meant being ready to get hurt. Sesshomaru was everything—an incredibly powerful inu-youkai coming from a pure bloodline that gave him killing beauty and intelligence. I was basically nobody, with merely sixteen years of existence and horrible experiences. Ahh Kami! Liking Sesshomaru is digging up insecurities I didn't even know I have!

"Answer me, Kagome." He now stood just a breath away, his scent and warmth seeping into my skin.

What should I even say? This is a first for me. I experienced quite a lot but I am not even prepared of falling for someone, let alone someone falling for me! "Sesshomaru, I don't know what you want to hear." Oh no. I'm freaking out. This is worse than fighting off youkais.

"It does not matter what I want. I am asking what you want." He brushed the curling hair away from my nape, his barely-there touch sending tingles to my body. "You should have known by now. I am decisive, Kagome. I know exactly what I desire—who I desire, and making you mine would be a privilege I cannot wait to treasure."

His words touched my heart so much, because it was all spoken with honesty and warmth and most importantly—respect. All these years I had suffered but here he was, caressing my wounds and seemingly healing them. "I'm a hanyou," I reiterated again.

"I do not care."

"You have to care, because you're the lord of the west."

"I am the lord of the west and they would bow to my decision. I would make sure of it."

"There would be a lot of controversies. Maybe rebellions would even start because you chose me. You cannot defend your land, your title, and me at the same time."

He must have heard the tinge of desperation in my voice, because the next thing I knew, I was in his arms and I could feel his warmth at my back, his aura pulsing with mine in perfect unison, as if my soul accepted what I had not yet.

"It would be my honor to defend you. What is the use of my power if I cannot protect the one who is most precious to me?"

I had never experienced liking anyone this way and maybe it made people truly soft, because I just found myself crying like a damn baby.

"Shh." He then turned me to face him; his golden eyes dazzling me and making me want to believe in everything he was saying to me at the moment. I must be so depraved of affection because I just found myself caressing his face, the magenta stripes on his cheeks.

I wanted to speak but I was too overwhelmed. I just cried and allowed him to comfort me. He brushed the tears away from my cheeks, so softly and tenderly that it just made me cry even more.

"I choose you, Kagome," he declared without a smidge of hesitation. Without waiting for my response, he leaned down and placed a kiss on my lips.

And since words failed me, I kissed him back and poured my heart into the kiss, wishing he would understand. Our aura danced, neither was battling for dominance, both of us just offering something we had missed for most of our lives—affection.

-x-X-x-

Date Posted: 09/03/17

Word Count: 3475