A Gate-Crashing Guest

The Colonel and the Commander of the Imperial Hanyou Army were both hosting dinner for their distinguished guests that night. General Aokimaru was unable to join them, called away in a meeting, a busy man indeed.

Despite boasting high ranks, second-in-command only after the general, the pair had insisted on being called by their given names.

"You have rather unique features, Johnny! Did you come from outside Japan?" Shippo asked curiously, chewing on a melon mochi.

Johnny beamed. "That's because I'm a British Shorthair by breed. But worry not! " and he suddenly slammed the table as if someone had accused him of treason,"For my heart and spirit is unequivocally Japanese! Banzai!!"

Dinner was an elaborate affair in a large private room. There wasn't an empty platter in sight; by the eighth course, a fully sated Kagome wondered if the food was ever going to stop coming.

Shippo had been bombarding questions before dinner even started. He saw the flamboyant ninja-colonel as some sort of inspiring role model, and watched his antics with besotted eyes.

Johnny in turn was all warm and full of panache, a wonderful entertainer to his guests. He would cheerfully answer all of Shippo's questions no matter how silly, much to Inuyasha's chagrin.

"Oh yeah, I remembered you said you wanted to have your own hanyou offspring too!" Shippo exclaimed.

"Nyaan!~ That I do!"

"Don't be an idiot," Inuyasha snapped at last. He had been wiping Tesseiga quietly at the back, and now he couldn't take the asinine conversation anymore. "Who the hell wishes to have a hanyou child? It's not something you just plan on a whim."

Everyone saw that Johnny was clearly affronted by Inuyasha's callous remark."Take back your words. It's not a whim!" Beside him Goro remained quiet, drinking his tea. "It'll be a special child born from true love and it will never know harm."

Inuyasha sniggered sarcastically. "Well good luck, Johnny boy."

"Um, do you already have someone you love?" Kagome asked, desperate to break the building tension in the room. Inuyasha had been especially prickly ever since they stepped into the fortress. His wary eyes were all over the walls, his hand ready on his sword's hilt.

"Of course!" Johnny replied, all smiles again. "In fact, we just got back from our honeymoon mid-spring!"

"Wow!" Everyone tried to conjure the image of Johnny's human wife in their heads, a blushing newly-wed.

"She must be already with child as we speak," Miroku quietly commented over his food, then sent a naughty look at Sango. She held her impulse to poke him back with her chopsticks.

"Inuyasha, what was that?" Kagome demanded, when dinner was over and they were all lounging in the guest room. Johnny had sent word that General Aokimaru insisted that they stay for the night. Two women played the koto for them in a brilliant performance, and with Sango nowhere to be seen, a tipsy Miroku was having a ball, plying them with wine.

When their performance was over the womenleft and he was overcome with sleep on the large cushions, a happy smile on his face.

Shippo and Kirara were catching fish at the small pond outside the verandah.

"What?" Inuyasha replied. "I'm busy playing my Tetris game. Go away."

"That was really rude, what you said to Johnny just now."

"Oh yeah? I just wanted to wake his idea up. There's nothing good from being associated as a half-demon, or with one!"

"We're all associated with you, Inuyasha. Are you saying we're no good?"

"Well," he said, squirming uncomfortably, "I never specifically asked for it."

"I thought you were over this. This...inferiority complex you have over your own blood."

"I absolutely do not!"

His face was bright red with anger. For a moment Kagome thought he was going to hit her.

Instead he threw his game on the floor, its batteries flinging out. "You don't understand anything! You're not me, and you'll never be able to walk in my shoes!"

"Is it my fault that you never open up? You don't even wear shoes, Inuyasha!"

Just then they heard the echoes of laughter outside the door. Inuyasha and Kagome quickly settled back, pretending to be busy.

Sango and Goro walked in, carrying a stack of folded beddings into the room. Shippo and Kirara too returned at the same time, a koi fish in the neko's mouth.

"And where the hell did you go, Sango?" Inuyasha rattled on, eyeing the samurai in disfavour.

"Oh shush, " Sango said. Then she leaned in to whisper to Goro. "Ignore him, he's just a grouchy fellow most of the time."

"I heard that!"

"We were helping the old maid to carry in your futons for sleep," Goro said as they placed the futons down. "The poor lady was struggling all alone. Call me soft-hearted, but I simply cannot stand to watch such things."

Sango counted. "Let's see, one for me and Kirara, one for Kagome and Shippo, one for the priest… I think that should be enough."

"How about mine?" Inuyasha said.

"You're sleeping on the floor."

"Why you—"

Goro interjected. "Sleeping on the floor is actually healthier…"

"Shaddup! I don't need any of your input!"

Kagome sighed and smacked her forehead. If only they were outdoors, she would have sent him smashing into the ground.

Shippo was already dead asleep when the ladies finally slipped into bed later. Before that Sango requested Kagome to brush down her hair, as they indulged in some girl talk.

"Sango?" She ran her friend's hair down with a traditional boxwood comb.

"What is it, Kagome?"

"You have a thing for Goro, don't you?" She giggled. "Admit it."

"Where did you get such a far-fetched idea from?" Sango went, but she was obviously blushing.

"I've never seen you so chummy with a guy you just met."

Sango considered her words. "Well, he's chivalrous, that's all."

"Chivalrous?"

"You know, a complete gentleman." Sango smiled. "Goro told me he watched his mother singlehandedly raise him and his six sisters. From a young age he's been surrounded by females so he's grown sensitive to their needs."

Gosh, Kagome thought. They just spoke for the first time today and already he's telling her his backstory. How long did it take for me to know Inuyasha's? And I know zilch about Sesshoumaru.

"What I'm trying to say is…" Sango spoke, and her voice became all soft and tender, "is that he really knows how to make you feel like a woman."

Kagome frowned. "But why?" She couldn't find in herself to agree with Sango's views, and small bubbles of anger popped in her chest for some reason. "You shouldn't let men see you as a weaker species. We don't always need them to prove our worth. We should strive to be stronger so we don't have to always be dependent on them."

Sango chuckled, somewhat pensive. "Well that's the problem, Kagome. I'm tired of being strong. I'm tired of competing with men, to be like men. I may have gotten my accolades as a formidable taijiya, but I had to sacrifice more things than them to be here. Sometimes, at the end of the day, you just want to be taken care of." She glanced behind at Kagome. "I don't know what issues you have with Sesshoumaru but I'm sorry. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. Maybe you should just let him save you for once, and end this silliness."

Was Sango trying to say she was acting a stubborn fool? It was rather unfair.

You're saying that because you're not seen as the weakest link, Kagome thought sadly. Ever since I came here I've been pushing myself so hard so as not to be seen as incompetent. The last thing I want is to drag everyone down. And everyone keeps saying it's okay, that I have my own strengths, but I know it's not enough.

Nevertheless Kagome smiled and shook her head. She tickled her friend.

"But really, Goro is quite handsome, isn't he? Johnny is cute too, but he gives off too much cat vibes," she said, returning to their subject beforehand. How they sidetracked!

"So what?" Sango feigned indifference.

"Are you going to dump the priest and go for a samurai? Oh you should have seen how Miroku was flirting with the performers just now! If you've already decided, I'll do the same with Inuyasha too! Sisters for life!"

Sango was appalled as Kagome tried to hook their pinky fingers together in a promise. "Come on, Sango! We're still young, we should date around more!"

Sango laughed. "Your modern ideas sometimes scare me, Kagome." But later that night as she was tossing herself in bed, Sango found her thoughts pulling back to Goro and it brought her much embarrassment, and no sleep.

Beside her Kagome was hugging on her pillow contentedly, drooling as she mumbled Sesshoumaru's name.

Sango threw her own pillow at her.

Ah-Un dipped and soared through the sky, guided by Rin's tight hold on his reins.

"Puff the magic draaagon," the little orphan sung, although her sweet voice was swallowed in the wind. Behind her Jaken was blue in the face, his digested breakfast very close to making an emergency exit.

His stomach flip-flopped as their ride did a full upside-down loop. "Rin!"

"…and frolicked in the autumn mist in the land called…oooh!"

Puff the Magic Dragon didn't live in Oooh (it was Horah Lee, in case anyone was interested). The reason her singing had been interrupted was because something was fluttering through the air, a little piece of paper. It had smacked Rin right in the mouth.

She pulled Ah-Un's reins in surprise, causing the youkai beast of burden to lurch. Jaken finally vomited his grilled bacon.

She clutched the paper in surprise. ""Hey Jaken-sama, what's this?"

Before the kappa could collect his breath, Rin directed Ah-Un to giddy up full speed. They rode alongside their lord cruising up ahead, his large pelt billowing behind like a giant cotton candy.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, look what I got!"

The daiyoukai flicked his eyes to her. "Another paper crane?"

"No! It's a flyer, pun intended! The title says "Recruitment Exercise for the Imperial Hanyou Army," Rin read. "Free cakes are on a first-come…"

Sesshoumaru stole the paper from her. "My impression was that you were illiterate."

Upon adjusting his sight to the words however, his face paled until its pallor was akin to his silvered mane. The edges of his eyes tinged red.

Sesshoumaru was livid.

The paper crunched in his hand, melting from the dripping acid of his claws.

"Every line reeks of Aokimaru's stench. As long I draw breath, this Sesshoumaru will not allow such a travesty to take place."

Without further ado he flashed forward, his usually placid features contorted in rage.

Rin spurred Ah-Un into action, following in their lord's wake. Jaken threw up again, liquid omelettes this time. "Onwards steed! Towards a new adventure!"

They saw as their lord's head snapped back, furnishing them with one of his infamous glares.

"It is not an adventure!"

The next morning after breakfast the group went to the garden for a little walk.

"I feel like the more we stay here the more I'm being pressurised to accept Aokimaru's offer," Kagome lamented as she hung over the bridge, watching Shippo and Kirara fish for koi in the pond. "I'm not really complaining though. I mean everyone is being nice to me, treating me like I'm some princess."

Inuyasha snorted. "There's a meaning to it."

Miroku shrugged. "Well. I don't care if I get to eat snow crab everyday. Ah Shippo, you almost let that one got away."

"But what does being an oracle entail?" Sango asked.

Kagome thought aloud. "Well, in ancient Greek times, an oracle is usually a priestess in a temple who is sought for her prophecies. Everyone seeks them for guidance, from paupers to kings, and they are highly esteemed in society."

"Ooohh," everyone went.

"And since you're from the future, then your prophecies must be extremely accurate," Miroku said, rubbing his chin. "No wonder the general sees you as an important instrument for warfare."

"I can't even call them prophecies anymore if they're really factual events. And it sounds really dangerous, doesn't it, getting involved in this?"

"Well, it's really your choice..."

"Ne Inuyasha, what do you think?" Sango turned to him.

Inuyasha bristled under everyone's gaze. He rolled his eyes. "Why should I say what I think? It's not like she listens to me anyway. It's pretty clear she's quite interested because she's sympathetic towards the General's cause. Or am I wrong, Kagome?"

Kagome gripped the wooden handrail of the bridge. Inuyasha was obviously still sore over last night's argument. Was it true though? Was she really getting swayed by Aokimaru's words?

"No way! I'm not going to dip my feet in anything that involves war! I'm a pacifist!"

"Good to know, Kagome-chan," Sango laughed.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes again and turned his back on her. Kagome could see he was unconvinced, and honestly it kind of scared her. She couldn't be convinced of herself if he wasn't convinced.

No, she shook her head. I should learn to believe in myself more!

Everyone's heads then perked up when they saw a small crowd rushing down the hallway. They appeared like they were late for something.

"Oh, where are they running to?" Miroku said. "They looked all excited too. Is it free cakes again?"

"Crumpets," Sango corrected.

Being the nosy parkers they were, the group tailed them from behind until they saw a signage pointing towards the direction the crowd was heading.

"ORIENTATION CAMP THIS WAY" it said, with an arrow.

The Justice Warriors glanced at each other, then pulled Inuyasha by the ear as they dashed ahead. "Hey!"

They heard the loud thumping of taiko drums when they reached the courtyard. A large crowd had already assembled there, most of them the hanyou that had passed yesterday's recruitment exercise. A wide stage had been erected before them. Kagome saw a sea of bright, expectant faces and wondered what exactly was going on.

The crowd cheered suddenly. Three familiar figures made their way to the stage, and the drums rolled to a dramatic pitch to signal their arrival.

The Demon General of Edo was the first to step in front in a very imposing manner. He had worn his fearsome helmet with its large stag horns, and accompanied by his eyepatch made for an intimidating presence indeed. It was his first public appearance to the new recruits.

The audience held their breath at first. Her heart lurched when Aokimaru suddenly spun and dropped a fighting stance onstage, his booming voice rolling across.

"Indulgence in luxuries is our enemy!"

The crowd exploded, raving mad. They waved their hands and stomped about like they were in a concert. So it wasn't just her, he really had that effect on people!

The samurai came next on hurried steps, as he whipped out his long katana, slashing the air in a lightning-quick arc.

"Deny the self, serve the public!"

Sango squealed like a mad fangirl.

Johnny was the last one, coming in with a ninja run before he broke into a punching pose, a cat-like smile on his face.

"Electric power is fighting power! Nyaan!~"

"You go, Johnny!" Shippo cheered atop Miroku's shoulder, stars in his impassioned eyes.

H-hold on a minute, Kagome thought, why do they all sound suspiciously like World War 2 slogans?

The taiko drums rolled louder as the trio finally made their full appearance, lined across the stage. The deep thuds resounded with everyone's heartbeats, cooking an especially rife sense of euphoria in the recruits.

Aokimaru finally addressed his audience, his eye sweeping through them in an authoritative manner.

"A very good morning to all my esteemed new recruits," he began. "Human, hanyou, youkai and all in between. I am General Aokimaru of Edo. On behalf of Colonel Johnny, Captain Commander Goro and myself, I would like to congratulate every one of you who have successfully passed your recruitment exercise, to be part of our new Imperial Army! And what else is more fitting than to do that through song?"

Kagome almost fainted when the General started singing. She had to hold Sango for support, if only the taijiya wasn't busy hopping in excitement. Apparently Goro had found her in the crowd and flashed her a killer smile.

"You and I are cherry blossoms of the same period..." General Aokimaru sang in a soulful, sombre tone, and the crowd lapped every line. "We bloomed in the yard of the same military school..."

Inuyasha was yawning at this point, undaunted by the mass hysteria. "Y'all batshit crazy," he mumbled. He turned to leave then stopped short in his tracks. His gaze fixated at the sky, his nose crinkling.

There was a bright twinkle in the sky. He watched, Tesseiga clattering in its sheath, as something fell at a dangerous speed through the clouds. No, not falling. Inuyasha recognized the flying figure immediately.

"No friggin' way…" he went.

It crashed into the courtyard from above in a whirling maelstrom of youki.

The singing stopped and the audience gasped.

A loud growl whirred in the air as the strange entity lifted his head, revealing bared fangs and red eyes. His long silvered hair lay perfect, nary a strand out of place. Nevertheless he brushed it back in an effortless sweep behind his pelt.

Inuyasha staggered in his spot.

"...Sesshoumaru!"

To be continued…

A/N: Ohno, anytime Sesshoumaru gatecrashes, it's bound to be bad news! Also the song that Aokimaru sang is called Doki no Sakura, and is an actual old military song.