Here is another chapter guys! Woooooo! I hope you enjoy it. We're almost to the end or are we?
Chapter 53 The Signs of War
Something in his bones didn't sit right as he sat at his desk. The desk that he would soon pass to his eldest son. He crossed his fingers locking them as he thought about his sons. He had made every attempt to teach and protect his castle and all that lay in it. But he felt as if it wasn't enough. The sun was up high that morning but much had been done in the night during their slumber.
A letter sat on his desk from General Shugurai about the disturbance he felt coming from Lord Ryu's castle. The skies had turned black with an ominous aura polluting the land. Many had begun to flee in fright at hundreds of numbers into the surrounding lands. He had his army on patrol and alert taking note of every demon and human, man, woman and child coming into his lands. The numbers were outrageous.
In preparation for anything to come, he enchanted his swords with his eldest friend Totosai's help. Both his sons would get one of his weapons and also the swords would reveal techniques to them as they grow within. Each sword will be locked away within them for them to find when the time was right. He spoke to his advisors working with Simone to create documents and a will should anything happen to him. His family and pack would be well protected and taken care of.
The sun light had shown in through his windows and he turned to look outside them. Just beyond the reach of his lands, stood the swirl of storm clouds coming his way. It's darkness had grown and with it the fears and disgruntled visage of his people. Inutaishio knew something life changing was going to happen. Totosai had shared with him some knowledge he shared furthering the belief of what he felt was going to happen. The old fool knew everything and had treated him like a nephew.
His heart sat heavy this morning knowing his time may be coming to an end sooner than he realized. And if it shall, he refused for anyone in his family to suffer. He would go alone on this journey and save them all if it was the last thing he did.
The chill in the air was crisp and bone chilling whipping through the barren trees like mazes. All was white and snowcapped along with the people marching through it bringing along with them bags, cattle, barrels, knack sacks, horses, and their fears. It coated the atmosphere like a smog that left a nasty bitter taste in the back of her mouth.
Simone sat on the border watching as droves of people roamed around the forest seeking refuge within the Western Lands. Her heart beat heavy as she watched demons and humans a like bicker, fight, and yet try to come into lands. She had stopped many altercations and reminded them that this is a peaceful place and if they didn't like the other then simply separate and go to certain towns.
Her dreams had returned. A baby's cry echoing into the night. Her running through fire, and Lord Inutashio just disappearing. She had sat up in a cold sweat for a week straight now leaving her exhausted and tired. Sesshoumaru in his way of caring threatened her life if she didn't seep extra during the day. But it was hard to, when your mate lived the vampire life all in the name of protecting the land and woman. He didn't come to bed except to make sure she went off to sleep. She would go to sleep in his arms but then wake up alone many times. She frowned to herself at this before looking up.
Her light brown eyes scanned the distance watching the dark clouds grow bigger and closer to the West. The winds had picked up blowing the snow around could feel it in the wind something was wrong. She pulled her fur pelt closer around her as she stood there proudly displaying the western crest on her shoulder for them all to see. She had a horrible feeling in her gut about the night.
Her gut began to turn and she clutched it and rubbed trying to soothe her ailing stomach. As of late she had been feeling rather ill and nauseous. It had to be nerves. She couldn't help but feel to prepare for battle. Every day she and Sesshoumaru would dress to the nines in full armor just in case. And every day Sesshoumaru would get more and more protective of her. She looked down at her boot kicking the snow as she thought about his behavior. It was weird to say the least.
Her stomach had turned when her mind thought of the possibility of being pregnant. She wasn't a fool. She knew the signs and she knew dogs' behavior when they were expecting pups. Sesshoumaru didn't like her going out like this even more. At night she would catch him sniffing her stomach and sometimes now rubbing it gently. Then also her cycle had long sense passed for months now. And doing some exercise would cause her to feel sick and dizzy if she moved too fast.
Sighing she decided today, she would talk with him about it. She looked up at the horizon watching the dark skies and frowned. It spoke volumes of what was to come. Something sinister lay ahead. Quickly she looked at her men and they bowed to her. Flying home she decided to see if she was correct. She prayed that this was just a bad dream.
After a long flight she landed in the garden and into the castle. Running up the stairs she made it to her chambers and looked to the plant sitting on the window sill where the white flower lay wilted and almost dead. The flower petals had begun falling off a while ago. She walked up to it with shaking hands wanting to know what it meant and yet truthfully wanting to forget about it all. Her finger came up to touch the last petal as it slowly broke away from the once healthy vibrant flower. Her eyes watched as it fell gracefully down on the table top. A soft tear fell from her eyes, with the knowledge that the end was near.
"It has worked then father?" Jiro said as he looked at his father who stood swirling with power mixing with his tainted aura. His father's eyes burned red as they looked at his son with a wicked gaze. The castle sat quiet and empty as everyone ran coward from their presence. It was dark, cold, and hauntingly eerie with the two Lords standing in their waiting chambers. The stench of rotting corpses hung heavily in the castle from the bodies Lord Jiro had taken.
"Finally after years of living off the crumbs of my father, I have taken his power and now I shall rule all of Japan!" He yelled out loud enjoying the sensation coursing through his veins. He had been draining the life force from his father and it had taken years for him to harvest the great power of the dragon demon who refused to give him the title of Lord. So he had no choice but to take it much like how he would take the other Lord's power starting with the dog. Already he had become drunk with power having only experienced it in his body for mere seconds.
The castle around them shook with the overwhelming surge of power. They could feel the wind pick up outside and the snow blown in a frenzy form the commotion.
"Come my boy, we put the dogs out of their misery." He said walking up to his son. He placed his hands on his shoulders a giant lightning bolt hit him and struck him down. His body was on fire as he clutched the bamboo floors of his castle. A large power of energy coursed through him unlike anything that he felt. It ran across his chest feeling as if it would burst. His veins rippled and his inner demon roared with the drug like sensation.
"You cannot be weak this night on the battlefield. If we are to win this war, we must both be at our best."
Lord Ryu simply walked forward leaving his son withering on the floor trying to overcome the power surge he felt. He came to the front of his castle where his army awaited waiting for their glorious entrance into battle. Lord Ryu stopped before smirking. "I will call for her now." Now the Samurai needed to do his part for the festivities to begin.
All was calm in her little world. The soft cheeks of her baby's face sat adorably high as he looked up at her with the same beautiful eyes she'd fell in love with. Already he had grown hair with his the signature dog demon hair gracing the top of his head. She cooed at him again watching as his face lit up with life and laughter.
Inuyasha was such a new joy in her life. A much needed blessing she thought looking at her child lovingly. His ears moved and wiggled along with his smile and she couldn't help but giggle and every now then rub the soft appendages soothingly. She continued to rock him watching dotingly with a tender gaze at everything he did.
He beamed with blazing sun irises that slowly began to fall heavy with sleep. She rocked him patiently humming a song she once heard long ago when she was just a little one. She watched as his honey hued eyes darkened and slowly his lids began to cover them. His tiny fist clutched the front of her kimono tightly securing her to him and he buried his nose in her kimono smelling her scent.
She sighed in bliss at the moment she shared with her little one. Her eyes opened slightly and her face began to fall from happiness to confusion. Something within her pulsed. Her eyes widened frighteningly before they closed softly. Minutes passed by before they reopened revealing dark red orbs. Quietly she stood up with her boy in her arms and began walking forward in a trance. She walked steadily till she came to the door. Looking at it she turned again to face the wall. A dark maleficent aura was felt and a black hole appeared in the wall creating an entry way. Without a thought of hesitation she slowly stepped though taking along her precious baby with her.
Takemura sat with his sword in his lap as he prepared himself for battle. Carefully she cleaned and sharpened his sword focusing on the night. Tonight he would be victorious. He would become ruler with his wife and destroy the mutt along with his demon seed that had tainted his lovely intended. He pulled back and held his sword in the air.
He looked behind him at the room he had taken over since the passing of the old man. When he passed Izayoi suddenly vanished. She hadn't come back home since causing everyone to think she ran off and died of grief for her loving father. But he knew better. And he prepared for this day when justice would be his.
He had told his army of the demons coming to attack their families. Like he knew they would react with comradery releasing a giant roar of hate to destroy and protect their families.
'Foolish men. It didn't take much to blind them'. He thought as he moved to put on his armor. His soon to be wife will be there shortly. All he had to do was cause a distraction. What better way to make use of his men?
She lay on her back on the sheets staring at the ceiling waiting for her love to come in. A lot lay heavy on her mind and heart. So much so she had to talk to him. She was shaken with worry for him as he stood vigilant over the chaos much like the Lord he was becoming. He rarely slept, ate, or did anything since the new development. She closed her eyes knowing it was his duty. He had a land to protect and innocent lives to protect at all costs.
Simone called out to him again hoping he would answer. She had called him nonstop through the mating mark and he finally couldn't take it anymore. She could feel him rushing through the halls trying to get to her and she smiled.
She knew they were in a tight situation with the new activity but she needed to talk to him about this. She needed to know.
The doors opened quickly causing her to jump slightly as she watched the great killing perfection stalk into their room over to the bed where she lay. She watched with a rapidly breathing heart as he stopped to look down at her with curiously.
Slowly she crawled over to him carefully and reached for the ties of his armor. He caught her hand shocking her as they locked eyes. "What do you need?" He asked stoically.
She swallowed wondering about his attitude. "Not with me, Sesshoumaru." She warned sending him her thoughts through the mark.
He closed his eyes and sighed gently. He had been up nonstop for a week now. He finally stopped to rest last night only to be awoken up by his mate's night terrors. They had shared memories so he knew of what she spoke of. It angered him to see her in such a state. Cold sweat covered her form in the middle of the winter night. Her breathing would become erratic until she sat up with silent screams and fearful expressions of unspoken horror on her face. Then she would lay awake for hours and all he could do was hold her.
He was out trying to find out more about situation. He knew the Lords would come for them. You had to be a fool to believe other-wise. It was a matter of what tricks would they bring with them. He looked at her as she squatted back down and looked at the floor with a solemn expression. He could feel the morose aura of his mate and quickly took off his armor.
Simone sat stiffly wondering what was she thinking for even calling him away from his duty. He was doing the right thing trying to protect and figure things out. He should be out working with Dante and Shugurai but she selfishly called him to her. She clutched her stomach feeling it turn slightly. Quickly her body fell softly back with her eyes rolling up to see Sesshoumaru look at her with wide eyes and fascination.
She lay on her back looking up at him watching with anticipation as he crawled down her torso kissing along until he came to her belly. She watched him with abated breath as he stared up at her. His usually stoic eyes returned to their warmth soothing color filled with love for her.
He read her silent question having knew the answer to it for a week now. But today it was definitive having felt it pull on his soul in the middle of the night already knowing who he was. He sniffed her belly once again that week and nuzzled her slightly flat stomach affectionately. He reached up to grab her hand and place it underneath his on her womb. Silent tears began falling down her face at the realization.
He gently wiped them away with his other thumb and kissed her belly. "Our pup needs for you to rest more, koi."
She closed her eyes and smiled. Reaching for his head, she pulled him up to her and kissed him with all the passion she could muster. He had given her everything she could ask for and more. True to his word, he had given her a child.
She smiled and clutched his face to hers gently before a loud explosion was heard in the distance and both sat up quickly. Sesshoumaru immediately held her to him in defense. They looked at each other and quickly he picked up his armor and she ran to change. He looked up as she quickly put on her full armor and uniform and rushed to the door. He quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her to him running towards the window. He opened it quickly and tossed her on his back as he jumped down to the ground floor landing softly in the snow. Upon contact he pushed up and ran in the opposite direction of the chaos. They landed in the courtyard where his father stood in full demonic form with blazing red eyes.
Simone's heart thumped loudly feeling everything fall apart around her. Like the snow that fell from the skies, she knew it had all come down to this.
"My Lord! They are coming for us." Dante said as he ran up ahead with hair blazing and his sword on fire ready for battle. His eyes red aglow and his aura spoke volumes as it raged like the very element he manipulated. "General Shugurai is leading his men to hold them off. But it's not the demons sir, it's the humans."
He roared and Dante bowed. "Some Samurai is leading them Lord Inutashio. Some samurai from Lady Izayoi's village."
Inutashio looked in confusion before sniffing when his eyes widened. Simone saw this and immediately flew up to the window where she should be. Looking through she saw nothing but an empty crib along with an empty chair. The room sat aglow with the candle glowing but the door was closed. Panicking she stretched her aura around the house searching for them but felt nothing.
Her senses came to her and she calmed down into battle mode. Flying higher she called the wind to her and sent it out to search for her friend and her little one. She felt the air around her as it spoke of impending doom and tragedy. Everything felt like déjà vu. As if she had done this before. But where? She tried her best to ignore it all and focus. Her head snapped forward toward her village and she pointed.
A howl ripped through the air at his anguish and concern. He calmed himself before issuing orders to them all.
"Captain Dante, help General Shigurai in battle." His head snapped to his son. "Come with me."
His head landed on Simone who waited with urgency at her orders. "Simone go back to the castle and secure it."
"Wha-"
"That is an order!" Lord Inutaishio commanded with base in his voice hoping she would see reason and listen. Every male in the area could smell her new pregnancy and the last thing he needed was for her to get hurt, or worse.
Simone frowned before nodding defeated. "Yes sir." She looked at her mate who walked up to her and touched her stomach. "Protect what is ours." He said. She nodded and quickly turned to run back in the castle. She ran in the center of the castle where one of the gardens lay and her eyes misted over to blue. She flew up into the air. Gravity changed and rocks, water and everything else began to fly upwards along with her.
A giant bubble began to form around her body. Another layer peeled off of it and flew outward scanning everyone and everything. It grew bigger and bigger till it reached the whole castle. Moving her hands quickly in a symbol she released it and a massive amount of energy expelled and then collapsed creating a barrier.
Dante turned around his tracks form running to see the castle surrounded by a barrier. Quickly he created a fire ball and released it watching as the barrier took it and stretched it long its perimeter. It now glowed red standing in contrast to the white snowy background. He nodded knowing she would be well protected and he continued to run to help his fellow brethren.
Inutashio and his son ran side by side towards the village. Both demons had glowing red eyes as they raced to find their pack member and relative. Sesshoumaru had so much anger in him at the situation. If Izayoi would have stayed inside like she should have been, this wouldn't have happened. He was shaken having realized that more was at stake now. He had a mate with a pup on the way.
Just as they were halfway a large explosion came forth and rocked them sideways. Jumping, they slid in the snow watching the figure that descended and transformed into a giant dragon.
"How very quick of you Lord, Inutaishio." The demon mocked. "And here I thought you would race off to find that woman of yours."
With that said he released a giant lightning strike toward him. Inutaishio knocked it away quickly noticing the change power behind it. 'How could he have gotten that technique? Unless…'
"Realizing something are you?" He gloated. "Yes it had taken nearly three years but finally the fool's power is mine!" And then he released another blow to once again it be hit away.
"What have you done!?" Lord Inutashio roared.
"It's not what I have done, but what is going to happen. The time is ticking for that demon lover of yours."
Inutashio's eyes grew wide and he roared. He transformed into his humanoid self and pulled out his sword. Sesshoumaru watched before nodding to his father as he raced off to find his father's bitch and his brother.
Review!
