Disclaimer: I would just like to say that I do not own ANY of the Inuyasha characters however any of those who are not in the anime are mine as well as the plot. It is mine!

Hope you enjoy!

Sword Dancer

The next morning as scheduled, Kegan was summoned to King Ryu's inner chamber but it was not for what she thought.

Inside she found Ryu and several other council men at his side.

"Lady Kegan. Please. Sit. Let us get down to business."

She bowed then sat gently on one of the cushions as King Ryu joined her.

"Now, I understand you believe you were sent here for negotiations in this war but I feel I have discovered the reason my allies sent you to us. An unmarried woman is no use for a kingdom and therefore my good Lord Sesshomaru wisely sent you to me to get you formally married and have our alliance. Correct. Of course. With your credentials I believe I have found you most suitable for my son, Ryu. Such a beauty cannot be passed on to someone so unworthy therefore you both will be married as soon as…"

Kegan had finally reached her boiling point. What was it with men and trying to marry her off, damn it! Her fists clenched and her claws drew blood as she attempted to stay quiet but soon it was too much.

She was done. She no longer cared if they had the dragons as allies or not. They didn't need them. And after this she was through playing sweet little diplomat. Screw their honor and screw softness. She was not a warrior for nothing. Standing she cut the King off mid sentence as a strange wind blew around them although the windows were not open and neither was the door.

"My Lord Ryu. For the past two months my followers and I have tolerated the treatment of your court and the etiquette you seem to think we need. From the moment we were brought here you have ignored my calls and requests for a decision on the side you will choose during this war and now you decide that because of my female status I am unworthy to be a diplomat and therefore would marry me off because you think to ease the west's problems.

Let me be absolutely clear. I am not, nor will I ever be subservient to you or anyone else in this pathetic little kingdom. I have come to serve one lord and one lord only, that of the west. You have insulted me for the last time and I will no longer submit to the actions you order of me.

We are at war, King of Dragons. The Lords of the East and West request your aide. What is your answer? Tell me quickly or I will leave without turning back."

Every man in the room was stunned as the woman before them seemed to glow and wind tossed her long hair about and the thick smell of earth and fire filled their noses.

King Ryu stared up at her in surprise and amusement.

"The Lady believes she has power! How quaint. She shall be a challenge, my son." They laughed as Kegan snarled and spun towards the door.

"I have not dismissed you, Lady Kegan." The inu froze and turned her head with a deathly glare Sesshomaru would've been proud of. Her green eyes darkened as she opened the door.

"Take your dismissal and shove it up your ass Lord Ryu."

Storming from the room Kegan strode down the hall and was surprised to hear uncontrolled and fearful voices. Coming around a corner she was met with Lady Sagi and distressed commoners.

"Please My Lady! We are under attack! We have no protection!"

Kegan's eyes widened. They were too late! She moved into the fray and met Lady Sagi's eyes. They were frightened and worried.

"What shall we do? My husband will not…" Kegan nodded then began giving orders as she saw her men.

"Round up all the soldiers you can find. Tell them not to leave their posts and defend their positions." The commoners nodded.

"Take all the women and children and evacuate them immediately. They will spare no one. Get them out and quickly."

Lady Sagi nodded catching on.

"Yes. Bring them here. We will hold sanctuary." The men all bowed happily and took off as Magus and Ryo ran in.

"Kegan, Kagura's leading them. They're burning everything in their path." Kegan growled.

"Magus, get everyone ready for a stand-off." She turned and moved quickly to her rooms stripping from her dress and pulling on her armor then strapping her sword to her waist. She tied her hair up into a high ponytail then ran back out to meet Lady Sagi who was directing incoming people into different room and servants to get supplies.

Stopping before the dragon queen she looked at her worriedly.

"You should not be doing this Sagi. You could be punished severely for…" Lady Sagi held up her hand.

"You are right in your cause. Even if it costs me everything, I will not let my people suffer."

For a moment Kegan was stunned then a wide smile broke across her face and she stepped back with a low bow.

"Right, My Lady." Spinning on her heel Kegan sprinted out the palace door. Magus and five warriors were waiting for her.

"How many do we have?" the blue dragon looked grim as he they walked from the enclosure of the palace walls to face the oncoming force in the city.

Flames licked the houses and shops in the lower city as the people screamed in terror. Kegan turned and faced the small rabble behind her, made of a few dragon warriors, most of her men, and a large group of villagers only just receiving swords and shields.

They were not much. Barely any of them had ever seen a war; almost none had ever held a sword nor killed a man. Setting her mouth in a thin line she faced them.

"I will not sugar coat any of what is about to happen to you. You will see things that will scar you and change you but do not falter. These people who come here would take your land and destroy your homes and families. They will do all they can to eradicate you from this place. If you do not wish to fight leave now and we will hold nothing against you."

She waited and when no one moved she nodded.

"Right. I will not force you to fight but I ask, will you fight with me? Will you fight for your country?"

As one every man drew his sword and held it high above his head with a loud shout. Kegan smirked.

"Alright, Magus, take a third of them to the left wall, Ryo take another to the right; the rest of you, with me."

Kegan lead her group through the middle city carefully, avoiding the burning buildings. Once they reached the city square Kegan held up her hand.

"Go by twos, fan out and be careful. Yell if you find anything and be on guard. They won't hesitate and neither should you."

As soon as they split Kegan felt shivers race up her spine and her hair blew around her menacingly. Kagura was close.

Slowly Kegan turned in a circle drawing her blade as the malevolent wind blew fiercely around her; soon followed by a sick hollowed laugh.

"Poor little mage all alone with nothing but a bunch of humans and a few measly dragons to protect her."

Kegan growled.

"Come out, coward and see just how measly we are. The sting of my blade will make up for that."

Kagura laughed as she came into view holding a fan in front of her face and behind her a group of beefy looking humans. Kagura motioned and her forces spread like a disease. Before her men were ambushed she called them.

"On guard they're coming in. Hold your ground, men."

Kagura laughed again.

"Do you honestly believe you can defeat me? I am the wind." Kegan smirked and raised her sword.

"Let your little fan do the talking, witch. Then we shall see who is the wind."

Without preamble, Kegan surged forward and slashed toward Kagura's pretty face then let her powers throw her up into the air. She spun with a smirk.

"Come and get me." Kagura lifted her lips in a snarl and flew after her.

Kegan soared above the city as Kagura came after her, watching her warriors fight off Naraku's forces. The city was in ruins and the people defending it were floundering. She huffed. They weren't even ten minutes in. They needed to regroup and immediately. The fires licked around each building taking for down every few seconds as the enemy swarmed in and out like rats. She growled but didn't have time to think on it as Kagura barreled into her.

"You will die." She seethed but Kegan twisted, jamming the butt of her sword into Kagura's stomach and kicking her backward.

The wind witch waved her fan angrily.

"DANCE OF BLADES!" Kegan only had a split second to jump out of the way and send herself plummeting to the ground.

She hit the ground running and spun away as she dodged an oncoming sword. Lifting her own she slid it across the enemies and down his wrist then spun and plunged it deep into his abdomen. Pulling the blade back out she turned and locked blades with another deep chested man with bad breath.

Right off she noticed that they were not fighters but bandits. They had no sense of direction or how to use a blade properly.

She growled and knocked him away, seeing Magus in her front. Her eyes caught sight of the raging fires around them, the buildings collapsing into dangerous piles of ash, one closest to her toppling on three of her men. With an angry cry she sheathed her sword and threw out her hands, calming the fire as quickly as she could but could not stop the next collapse. The ash flew up around her stifling her senses as she gave orders.

"Magus! Get them out of here!"

He turned as she called out then nodded.

"Fall back! Everyone retreat to the square!"

Kegan turned back to the fires and turned her hands back and forth cooling the flames. As soon as she was satisfied she turned and sprinted for the square, keeping a wary eye out for Kagura.

Sliding into view she took in their health and felt her heart drop. More than half had not returned and those who were still alive looked ready to topple over. They had not even been in combat for more than twenty minutes.

"We've got to think of something else. We can't let them take the palace." Ryo spoke up helping a wounded onto his back. Kegan nodded and turned her head toward said place.

"Alright. Everyone fall back to the palace. Make sure you stay behind me; Magus, Ryo stick to my flanks. We need to give them enough time to move. Anyone who's not wounded take someone who is on their back."

The tired fighters nodded and she gave them an encouraging smile.

"We're not done yet. Just get back and we'll take up the rest for now until your King gets his ass in gear." They all chuckled at that then began following her instructions.

Kegan looked at her two friends.

"Okay, we have to keep Kagura away from here. I haven't seen her in a while but we have to protect these people." They nodded as she stood and looked around at the remaining rabble.

"Go now and don't look back."

As soon as she gave the order, Magus and Ryo took to each side using their elemental powers to protect them. Kegan stood in the middle and connected deeply with the earth and the wind, making a barrier of raging winds around the men.

"Eyes open." She said calmly her eyes moving to the sky just as Kagura appeared and made a dive toward her.

Kegan moved quickly, launching herself into the air and drawing her sword again at the same time.

Kagura met her head on and the two moved like lightening, coming together and breaking apart too fast for the eye to follow.

"You can't save them. And even if you do you won't defeat Naraku or your precious Jericho." Kegan growled angrily and pushed away. Kagura laughed haughtily.

"And when you lose you will become his slave. You and that miko bitch." Green eyes flared to life and a stream of fire flew from her finger tips and hit Kagura's face, making her scream shrilly and try to bat the flames away.

"Shut-up and fight, Kagura. I have no patience for your drivel or your sick fantasy."

Holding her face Kagura snarled at the inu.

"You will die!"

The wind witch drew her fan with a sadistic grin making her burned face look even more horrific.

"DANCE OF DRAGONS!" The attack hit Kegan in the shoulder, spinning her out of control as Kagura charged her again. This time Kegan was ready. Melodia Myrsky flashed eerily as she swung the enchanted blade out with a soft but firm command.

"Storm Winds. Eradicate." Kagura's eyes widened as the sky seemed to open around her and reach with dark hands to her clothes and body. Her own powers seemed to work against her as she tried to dislodge them but to no avail.

Kegan stood watching as the attack began sapping Kagura of her life force. This made her shiver in guilt and she swung the blade into the opposite direction, the feeling in the pit of her stomach disappearing immediately thereafter.

The wind witch gasped for breath and stared at her. The gratitude in her eyes didn't linger long and all too soon it turned into an evil glee.

"You should have killed me, Mage."

Kegan didn't speak, instead she leaned into a defensive position and got ready as Kagura sailed forward, using her own weapon and unlike Kegan, had no mercy.

The female inu braced herself by throwing her arms up into the air, a strong breath of fire surrounding her and batting the wind demoness away as down below Magus began reassembling.

Ryo held his ground as another wave of enemy forces his fire wall. Beside him Magus was drawing his arms back and forth like the ocean tide, washing them away.

Up above them he could see the two figures dancing and weaving through the sky, one a ball of blazing flames and the other a twist of wind.

Around them those who could still fight were doing so valiantly. They were holding but not by much. The people they were fighting were not only vicious but younger and stronger as well as they outnumbered the palace people 3 to 1. But the strength of the enemy was no match to people who fought for their own land and freedom. Though weak, the farmers were relentless; backing each other up creating a strong defensive line and effectively pushing the bandits back.

For a moment he looked at his brother then back at his foe, his determination heightening. A loud snarl ripped through his small human chest as his beast took hold and Ryo became his higher form.

The long sleek red form of his body twirled and hissed around the enemy, isolating them from their allies. With a loud roar is fire broke forth and encased them, making them scream in horror and pain as they were incinerated.

Magus was right behind him putting out the fires just as quickly as they started until there were none left and their attackers lay before them only blackened remains at the foot of the palace.

Magus lifted his sword with a loud cry of victory and the men took it up only stopping to look up at the toiling forms in the sky.

Kegan growled and dodged sideways as Kagura sent another wave at her, the cutting winds biting into her skin like daggers. Blood covered her arm but she paid no mind brandishing her blade across her chest and throwing the wind witch backward.

Kagura screamed in outrage as Melodia Myrsky slid down her arm and through her fore finger and thumb detaching said thumb.

Blood pooled from the wound and Kagura screamed and howled in pain as Kegan kept on her attack.

"You should never have attacked this city." Kegan smirked spinning and arching her blade down as Kagura blocked weakly. Kegan pulled back and kicked out, knocking the witch backward and shooting after her.

Kagura stood no chance against Kegan's rage as attack after attack sliced and hacked leaving bloody gauges in her body. After chasing for a few moments Kagura lost altitude. The amount of blood loss she'd received her energy and stamina faded.

Kegan watched from above as the witch hit the ground with a loud impact not fifty yards from the palace gates. Taking her time Kegan descended and stepped out onto the ground as Kagura struggled to rise, blood dripping from her ears and mouth.

Kegan spoke nothing and watched as the once proud demoness lost all her will and finally had no energy to move anymore.

Stepping forward she knelt by the woman's side and was surprised at the look she found there.

Kagura stared up at her in gratitude and thankfulness her chest rising and falling laboriously.

"Kill me, please." The woman begged as Kegan stared at her. Confusion raced through her.

"Naraku…has control of us…My sister…Kanna…Hakudoshi…All of them. He has…our hearts."

Kegan stared incredulously. Kagura met her eyes again and the pain there made her want to shiver in guilt.

"I was once free…like the wind. Please, release me. I beg of you."

Kegan nodded, a lump in her throat as she stood and lifted her sword as Kagura watched the silver blade. In one swift swing Kagura died. Her breath leaving her in a thankful wind.

Kegan looked up at the lightening sky as Kagura's body disintegrated and the wind carried her away like she had been long ago. With a grim smile Kegan turned and walked toward where her men were waiting.

"Be free."

Kegan walked in a long stride back into the palace where Ryo and Magus were aiding the healers to care for the wounded. Both looked up in relief as they saw her, immediately coming to her side.

"How many are left?" She asked lowering herself into a chair and closing her eyes to rest them for a minute.

"Only about a third of what we started with and most of them are wounded badly. Our warriors are getting our horses now. If Naraku is sending waves up here Sesshomaru must be overwhelmed." Kegan nodded cracking one eye open to survey the chaos around them.

"We can't leave these people here. They're all in danger. If your father won't protect them then we must. Start moving them while I…"

She was cut off by the doors bursting open and a servant rushing in nearly in tears. The man zeroed in on Magus and ran to him, clutching at the warrior's clothes in fear.

"Please! The Queen! Your father…we tried to stop him…but….He'll kill her! Please, you must…"

Magus ripped away from the man and didn't even spare a glance at his brother who was right behind him in hot pursuit.

Kegan stood quickly and attempted to keep up despite her fatigue. It had been a while since she'd used that much power and it left her weak but she would not allow the Lady Sagi to die for her decisions. It was time the King learned his lesson.

When she reached the scene Kegan stared in horror as the Lady's quarters was in shambles, chairs destroyed, silks burned and shriveled at her feet, expensive jewelry in pieces all over. In the middle of the room Lord Ryu held his first wife in a death grip high in the air by her neck. His son stood off to the side being blocked off by guards. His twin brothers were not so easy to contain.

Ryo had his claws buried in his father's side while Magus was drawing blood as he attempted to release the hold on his mother's slender neck.

"Traitorous wench! How DARE you disobey me! You will die!" He snarled, squeezing, making Lady Sagi whimper and struggle all the more.

"Father! Release her!" Magus snarled, taking his claws and dragging them through the skin of his sire's arm. In a blinding move Ryu used his other hand and knocked his son hard across the face and into the door beside Kegan.

He attempted the same with Ryo but in order to get to him he would have to release Sagi who looked to be turning blue. She had not stopped fighting though. Her hands clawed at her husband's futilely. Suddenly he spun, dropping her to the floor then flipped Ryo over his shoulder and nearly sent him flying when he was blasted backward by a warm rush of air and Ryo was set firmly on his feet.

His impact against the wall shook the castle and his eyes sought his attacker. Kegan glared at him from her outstretched hands, wind sweeping around her hair, which had come unbound in her last battle.

Her green eyes glowed eerily as she stepped forward but didn't take her eyes off the King. Her voice was deathly serious.

"Ryo, help Magus please. Then take a look at Lady Sagi and have someone round up her horse. She will be accompanying her people." King Ryu snarled angrily at this.

"You will not order…" Kegan snarled back and shoved him hard against the wall by wind again, adding a slight spark to it.

"I didn't ask you to speak yet, so keep silent." The King's eyes widened as he saw the raw fury contained in her eyes and his voice refused to speak.

Turning Kegan nodded slightly as Magus stood and dusted himself off then moved to his mother who was just now sitting up, red marks marring her neck and face. She didn't speak as Magus lifted her into his arms and carried her from the room. Ryo stayed to back Kegan up should she need it.

The Green Mage turned back to the fuming King and stalked him silently until she was chest to chest with him.

"Now you may speak." She said calmly lowering her hands. King Ryu snarled in her face.

"Who do you think you are? I am King here! That woman will be punished!"

He pointed to one of the guards holding his heir back.

"Go and fetch the wench back and my whip as well!" the guard nearly moved but Ryo put his hand to his belt and snarled.

"Do it and I'll remove your head from your shoulders." Kegan smirked, liking the way his voice held the timbre of a prince. The guard debated whether to go or stay but the look on Ryo's face told him to think better of it so he stayed put.

The King howled with rage but Kegan didn't let him move as she narrowed her eyes on him then shot a look at the Crown Prince.

"You will find your servants will no longer follow your orders, King Ryu. Your protection no longer comforts your people and as such they no longer remain yours. Until a suitable leader is found, the people of the Dragon Citadel are under the Western Lord's care."

He growled angrily and Kegan stepped back as he ranted.

"You have no right to do anything here! You are nothing but an ingrate female whore of the Western…"

Kegan punched him hard in the face knocking him backward furiously. She towered over his surprised frame and raised her eyebrow.

"Call me a whore again my Lord and you will find yourself incapable of doing anything close to that of which you suggest." The Dragon King stared in horror and she smirked again stepping back.

"You and your son are unfit to rule and your kingdom is in ruins. Do you still claim to be on the side of your enemy?" Ryu watched as she motioned for Ryo to leave as she did. She took his answer as a yes and narrowed her eyes.

"Very well. Stay here holed up in what you think a safe palace but do not be surprised when another wave of soldiers comes and attacks and leaves you in a pool of your own blood. From this moment on you shall be known as cowards to your race unless proven otherwise."

She turned and stormed from the room and out to the court yard where the people were waiting. Quickly she mounted Percius and turned to face them.

"People of Dragon Keep. You have a choice. You may choose to stay with your king or you may travel with me to the Western Palace of Lord Sesshomaru. I will not let you believe it will be easy but your fate here will be riddled with more death and sadness. Choose now."

She waited to see if any would leave and nodded when they all stood firm.

"Very well. All those strong enough, must walk. Those who cannot will be loaded into wagons. Take only what you need and quickly. We must make the Western Boarder by night fall."

In only minutes all were ready to leave, Magus, Ryo, the Lady Sagi joining her at the front.

Kegan nodded at the Dragon Queen as her people seemed to brighten. She could feel the loyalty for the woman in the air and smiled. The Lady made a good ally.

The ride through the burning city was quiet and mournful but once reaching the outer limits the parade of people seemed to brighten and children ran amuck in happy gaggles, the people smiling and nodding graciously to the woman riding the palomino.

Lady Sagi watched quietly beside her sons with a gentle smile despite her pain.

"She is quite amazing. The people…they flock to her." Ryo gave his mother a lazy smile and nodded.

"Kegan has this connection with them. She doesn't want to rule them. For some odd reason she can always pick up a following no matter who it is. I believe if we sent her into the enemy camp she'd win the war without any bloodshed."

Sagi stared aghast as Ryo looked to his brother and shrugged.

"From experience we know it's true. Fighting with her has been one of the best things we've ever done. She is…amazing."

The Queen smiled at the softness she noticed in his eyes then looked at Magus and saw the same thing there.

"Do I sense love between one of you and the Lady?" Both seemed to smirk as Magus answered.

"No, mother. We are very close to our girl but….No. Kegan has only one heart to give and she gave it up a very long time ago." Lady Sagi looked at them curiously as their faces betrayed them, sadness for their friend.

"Who has her heart my sons?" Ryo sighed.

"The Western Lord Sesshomaru as he too has given his heart to her." Lady Sagi nodded but was still confused.

"Then why do you seem so sad?" Magus shot a look at Kegan who was busy lifting a young boy into her saddle as he squealed and laughed.

"The Council has betrothed her to a Condor Youkai and if she refuses…" He stopped hoping his mother would understand but she pressed on.

"They will charge her with treason and she will be…sentenced to death."

The Lady Dragon's eyes widened.

"But the people…they would not…" Ryo shook his head.

"It doesn't matter. The council believes they are doing what's right even though they have not seen what Kegan and Sesshomaru are together. The council has never seen what those two have seen nor done what they have done. Kegan has been taken from Sesshomaru so many times; neither would be able to survive without the other."

Magus nodded looking at the woman he'd spent so many years with.

"Kegan will not survive. The second time she was taken I was with her. It took her years to recover and even more to keep sane. She won't last if they take her away again, and I refuse to watch her die because of the decision of senile old men."

His voice was hard and angry and Lady Sagi realized how much her son cared for the woman who led them. Even knowing her for so little a time Lady Sagi believed with all her heart in Kegan's goals. She believed the people deserved their freedom and the Queen believed it too.

"Then we will do what we can to keep them together, no?"

Sesshomaru growled as he paced back and forth in front of his generals. They were overwhelmed and the forces were waning. The humans seemed to multiply like roaches.

With a growl he swept his claws through the wall of the tent and stormed angrily into the camp, passing all his troops as they ate quietly and nursed their wounds.

His feet carried him into the forest to a quiet clearing where he could no longer hear the sounds of the camp or talk of war. As he stopped, his shoulders slumped and his entire body felt like the world was on his shoulders.

He was vastly out of character should someone see him like this but his mind was elsewhere on a beautiful woman with long blonde hair and a wild attitude; a woman who was like cool water on a hot day.

His arms ached to hold her and his lips longed to touch hers. Never before had he wanted something or someone so badly. The night was quiet around him as he breathed in deeply, falling into a meditative position and breathing deeply, becoming aware of all that was around him and a gentle wind brushing against him.

He turned sharply and inhaled the familiar scent. Immediately his heart sped up and his youki raged at the closeness but the soft breeze stroked against him calming his senses like water, going gently over his ears.

Miles away Kegan sat in the same position, feeling his stress through the bond they'd forged a few weeks ago. Her breathing was soft as she asked the wind to comfort him gently, spreading her senses over him.

Her voice was like a whisper as she gave him all she could.

"I'm safe, Sesshomaru, and I'm coming." She whispered almost as if she were lying in his arms. She imagined pressing her lips against the skin beneath his ear and nuzzling his neck. The wind carried his scent back to her and her heart cried out to him.

"I love you."

Sesshomaru started when he heard the whispered words and attempted to reach out and hold her close but grasped nothing but air and the wind had left him. He opened his eyes as the wind receded and took a deep breath, his resolve regained. She was coming. He would see her soon.

Kegan rode ahead and stopped as the people came up to meet her. She could see the Citadel below and smiled in relief.

"We made it." She breathed heavily striding forward and leading her followers.

"We made it."

It only took moments for the eager people to get to the gates and file in as guards came out to meet them, bowing to Kegan.

"These people need lodgings. Get them settled." She ordered and they nodded as she dismounted.

"Have the horses cared for." She walked quickly as people rushed around to follow her orders.

"Where is the Lord Sesshomaru?" No one answered and she stopped turning around to face one of the guards.

"Answer me, soldier. Are any of them here?" He shook his head silently.

"No, Milady. Even the Lady Kagome has gone. All who are left is the Council, and the castle servants. Not counting those of us still here to protect the land."

Kegan's mouth set in a firm line.

"Very well. Have all those who are able prepared for battle. Lord Sesshomaru will need all the help he can get." Suddenly the air around her seemed more excited as the guards who'd been left behind nodded and sprinted to do her bidding.

"As you wish Milady…but first you must have rest."

Kegan nodded.

"We will stay one night then we head for the battle plains. Be quick."

She didn't wait for them to object and strode into the castle toward her rooms. She was in dire need of a bath.

Magus and Ryo took his mother to a guest suite and did the same as their leader then traveled to her rooms and didn't bother to knock.

She turned and looked up from cleaning her sword which was already gleaming in her hands. Motioning for them to come in and sit she resumed and they sat in silence until Ryo spoke.

"You do know Masaru is here, correct? There's no doubt that he plans to take over the castle when Sesshomaru falls."

Kegan nodded.

"Then let us hope we will succeed." Magus smirked then leaned forward.

"And what of the council? Will you ignore them as well?" Kegan snorted and put her weapon aside to go and stand by her open window.

"I will face them if I must but they will not hinder my decision. Our country needs every able bodied warrior man or woman and I won't sit idly by while my friends and family perish at the hands of a tyrant."

The blue dragon nodded his head.

"Then we are with you." The young Mage looked at them for a long time then nodded grimly.

"As you wish."

Both smiled and leaned back when a knock came to the door. Looking up Kegan shrugged at her friends then bid whomever it was enter which she soon wished she hadn't.

Masaru strode in and set his sight on her, glaring at the other two males who merely smirked in amusement. He huffed and looked at her.

"I'm disappointed you didn't come to me when you arrived, my pet." Kegan rolled her eyes and sheathed her sword with a warning force.

"I didn't think I answered to you, Masaru. I'm still the Mage of this castle, not yet your wife."

The Condor bristled slightly and grabbed her arm, forcing her to face him and ignoring the hisses from the two dragons.

"You are still my fiancé Kegan and you will show me respect. The council has commanded it." Jerking away Kegan snarled.

"You have yet to earn respect, Masaru. And I doubt you will ever earn it, being the coward that you are, staying behind to wait while Sesshomaru falls so you will take the throne." She watched as he dared to look surprised.

"Don't think I have not heard your plans, slippery snake. I am not blinded like the council. And even should Sesshomaru fall I will never marry you. I would rather die than share anything with the likes of you." Her eyes were turning a dark shade of pink and her youki swirled dangerously around them but Masaru didn't back down.

"You will be my wife, Mage. Like it or not you will obey the council and I will show you properly where you belong; at my feet like the bitch you are."

Before she could retort however the Condor stormed from the room and Kegan relaxed angrily.

"Coward." She hissed and turned to the dragons that were now inched against the wall. With an amused smirk she picked up her sword.

"Men are such babies." They glared at her but she just laughed and leaned back in her bed with a sigh.

Magus took a spot beside her, curling his body around hers protectively and Ryo sat on the floor, resting his head against Kegan's hand.

"Dawn only knows what tomorrow will bring. Let us hope things run more smoothly."

Jericho snarled angrily as he surveyed Kagura's mangled body, and then smiled sadistically as he took in Kegan's sweet scent. She'd been here recently.

His golden eyes looked over the Dragon Palace and he smiled. The coward lizards had fled; smart of them.

Standing back to his full height he took a firmer grip on his sword and narrowed his eyes. She was close but nothing could keep him from her. After he'd taken the Keep he would award her the spoils. That for sure would bring her closer. She would never abandon helpless citizens.

Starting up the hill he watched as one of his soldiers sprinted back to him with a report.

"My Lord! The Palace is empty! It has been abandoned." The black inu's eyes flashed angrily and the soldier took a step back fearfully as Jericho snarled.

For a moment all was silent as if the very air was waiting for his response.

He spun on his heel and leapt into the air.

"They will go to the plains and we shall meet them there."

Beneath him the earth quaked and riveted back in the opposite direction to the West where Jericho's quarry had risen and was readying to leave.

Kegan froze when the tremors traveled through her. She shivered and looked at Magus who had stopped as well.

"We need to move. Jericho is on his way to the plains. We won't stand a chance if he over comes us."

The blue dragon nodded and began giving quick orders as Kegan made her way to her steed and quickly began to tack him up, tightening the girth and halter, fastening her sword to her side; then leading him out into the stable yard alongside those who would fight.

Strangely the courtyard was quiet except for loud shouting near the gates. All movement had stopped and no one said a word as Kegan pushed through.

She recognized the council's voices immediately and moved quicker. Upon reaching the gates she handed Percius's reins to a nearby soldier and stepped into the line of sight.

"She will not leave this palace. She is a woman and therefore incapable to fight." Kegan heard and growled low in her throat making a few turn and gasp as she strode forward.

"You dare question my ability to protect my people, councilman?" They stopped and all turned to look at her. The head man glared.

"You are in no position to give orders Mage. Your rouse of a kidnapping has you in enough trouble. Do not speak unless you wish to be punished further." He turned to address Magus again but Kegan snarled.

"You will address me and me only!" The old man stared as she got nose to nose with him and hissed in his face.

"Too long I have listened to your drivel and I will stand for it no longer. We are needed and you will not stop me from aiding my country. Now move before I force you."

In too much shock to argue, he stepped from her path as she took to the saddle.

"Riders mount!"

She followed her own orders and reined Percius toward the gates.

The courtyard remained deathly silent until the head council man finally found his voice.

"You take one step through those gates, you will be forever branded a traitor. Should you, as the Green Mage, ever set foot on Western Land again you will be charged on pain of death."

His eyes held triumph in them as she stopped, resulting in the rest of the small army stopping to listen as well.

Kegan turned her head to stare at him, her lips in a thin line, her eyes blazing to life. Everyone hung on whatever it was she would say in response. Her voice was soft like a whisper but spoke volumes of her courage and her allegiance to her country.

Her words made the people following her lift their eyes and head higher as they marched through behind her, leaving the Western Palace in awe of the woman who would lead their people to victory or death. Her one sentence surprised them all.

"So be it."