Allies hidden with in the West

Waking with a start the Daiyoukai sat up to a sitting position. Taking in his surroundings he noticed his mate was not present in the sleeping quarters of her hut. No, she wasn't present in the hut at all. The kitsune was asleep beside Miyuki. Neither disturbed from their rest. He felt a pull towards the forest, his mate was calling him. She did not seem in distress though.

Getting dressed he then made his way quietly to the forest where his Miko awaited. The deeper he walked into the forest the more he began to hide his aura. He sensed multiple youkai being held in a reiki barrier. His mate had caught some trespassers be the feel of things. He brushed his Mate through the bond allowing her to know he was there, without signaling to the others his presence. When he approached closer he took to the treetops above. Looking down with his golden gaze he realised they were Western Soldiers. Only a handful of them, five to be exact. His gaze widen dramatically when he noticed a single Neko demon amongst them. It was Takashi, his best and only friend. His gaze narrowed slightly, why was he alive, he should have been dead. he was in charge of Rin's safety at the palace.

The cold breeze brushed against his senses, his mates her rustled with the breese. He could hear her talking to them now.

"Why have you come here. The village of Edo is under the protection of the tachi who have defeated Naraku. You are not welcome in the East." she stared them down awaiting an answer. She noticed the Neko youkai was the one to look her in the eye and answer.

"The West is sending troops out across the land to locate and kill the prince of the West. We were dispatched to the East." His gaze was filled with pleading. Kagome couldn't tell if it was for his life or something else.

"There are only five of you, your knew ruler seems to not be very intelligent if she assumed five of you could kill someone such as Lord Sesshomaru. Last I remember he was a mighty strong warrior. None could surpass him." The Neko looked to her in surprise. This woman knew the rightful Lord, he had a chance.

"Lady Miko if I may. Not all the soldiers loyalties Lie with the knew Lady of the West." That is when Sesshomaru made his presence known. He knew that statement meant Takashi was not loyal to his mother, the others locked with him were sure to attack without proper motivation not to. Jumping beside his mate, he stared the small group down. Almost all in the group trembled before the Western prince. Takashi looked over his friend, he was not wearing the same clothing he once wore, it was replaced with jet black skin tight clothes, more to what the scouts would wear at the palace. His hair was gone. So short it made Takashi sick to his stomach, his friend changed.

Takashi watched Sesshomaru turn to the Miko, he took a step closer to her. He watched his Lord nuzzle the side of her neck before whispering in her ear. His sharp amber gaze returning to him. Fear racked his body with the look of pure and utter hatred that his dear friend now showed him. Turning his attention back to the Miko she spoke once more.

"Neko, walk through the barrier." Takashi looked at her a moment, was she crazy? Why would he willingly walk to his death. Unfortunately he did not have much say, the look his Lord gave him meant it was a demand not a question. So following his order he began walking through the barrier. A sense of calm washing over him as he passed through. When he passed through the barrier he was shocked, he looked to his hands and body and not a single scorch mark was upon him. His amazement did not last long before he was pinned to a tree by his throat. His Lord had him pinned eyes tinged red.

"WHERE WERE YOU! WHY ARE YOU AMONGST THE LIVING AND NOT BURIED IN THE GROUND!" He roared out.

"L-Lord Sesshomaru, I apologise. I tried to stop them, I really did but Lady mother took me down herself, I was so blooded and close to death I passed out from blood loss, I was not strong enough to stop her. I am unworthy to be of the living, I know this but my head was not for lady to take when I awoke in the healing wing. It is yours."

"Sesshomaru's hand relaxed a little before he released Takashi.

"You are still loyal to me?"

"Yes milord."

Sesshomaru looked to his friend. He needed help if he were to bring down his mother. Yes Takashi's head was his for the taking, and as much as he wanted to kill him, Takashi would be a great source of information on the current state of the West. He would also be a good soldier to have working for him as well.

"I will not kill you this day Takashi." He looked back to the rest of the men in the circle. Before looking back to the Miko and nodding his head.

"If any of you are loyal to the rightful Lord of the West walk through now. Any hint of treachery will be noticed and my barrier will kill you upon contact. She watched as two other soldiers walked through unharmed. The other two stood in place glaring at her. With a swipe of her hand the barrier closed and the other two youkai were gone. She watched the two who walked through bow to Sesshomaru. Neither raising their heads until ordered to. Takashi was the one who spoke up about the two yokai before them.

"Rise. Tell your lord your names."

"The smaller one spoke first, he looked to be about Shippo's age and height. Though for demon that could be deceiving. He had bright fire red hair it was short and kept, along with fire red eyes. He was clearly a kitsune, his tails swished from side to side. He must not be weak either as he held five tails.

"My name is Shinabu. I was taken from my mate and kits, forced to serve the West as an able male." Sesshomaru's eyes widened. So his mother was forcing western males to take part in her army. This would work to his advantage, he just needed to know who they were, and to get them out, they would fight by his side for their freedom. He nodded his head in approval.

"If you agree to fight beside me, I will insure your freedom after the war, be quick and fetch your family. Bring them here, they will be under our protection. Whether you fight or not, we will honor and protect your family. I would ask one more thing of you, we have a three tailed Kitsune who could use more training. He was orphaned, my mate took him in many years ago. Please show him the way of the Kitsune."

"Yes Milord, I will fight and train the kitsune. Thank you for allowing me to retrieve my family. We will be here ina days time." Without another word the Kitsune took off to his family home.

Looking to the other demon who was much stronger than the rest Sesshomaru recognised him as a fellow Inu soldier. He had long silver locks tied back in a low pony. He held no facial markers as he was not of royal blood. His eyes were green with specks of silver. He gave a bow to his lord.

"Kai. I am surprised you are not for my mothers rule."

"I originally was, Until she slaughtered the castle and servants, any and all who worked for you were slaughtered, woman, children. It not mattered. She needs to be stopped, I will accept my punishment for rioting against your rule after you are brought back to ruling milord."

"I will reward you for your honesty Kai, I will not slaughter you for your treachery. And will ask that when the time comes, to come to me with your worries of my rule. I would like to understand why you fought to bring down my rein."

Kai's eyes widened in shock. This was not the Lord he once knew, this lord showed compassion. He seemed more forgiving and less inclined to kill all in his way.

"Come, we will return to Edo." The two soldiers watched as their lord nuzzled his mate once more before grasping her hand in his. The Miko lead the way back, their lord a step behind her.

Upon their arrival Shippo was outside waiting for them. Dawn was just breaking the horizon line, staining the sky with orange and pink hues. The four stopped before him, Shippo bared his fangs at the Western soldiers.

"Shippo." Came Sesshomaru's deep tenor.

"This here is Takashi and Kai, Shinobu is not currently with us. He is out fetching his family and should be here by tomorrow morning. All three walked through Kagome's barrier, they are loyal to this Sesshomaru." Shippo nodded his head in agreement.

"Takashi, Kai. This is Shippo, the alpha of the tachi pack. You will listen and respect him as a superior. Shippo, Shinobu is a five tailed Kitsune and is willing to train you more in the arts and trickery of your clans." Everyone watched the Kits eyes light up. He nodded his head. Shippos turned his gaze to Kagome.

" I believe it is in our best interest to go speak to the Lord of the East, they may have given us permission to run Edo but I do not think they will approve of us building an army without permission on their lands. I know Kagome if you were to ask his Lordship will never deny your request." He winked at her causing Kagome to blush in embarrassment. Sesshomaru felt her humiliation through the bond, remembering how the wolves ran the east he was curious.

"Mate, may I ask what he means by this?" He heard her groan.

"You remember the wolf prince Koga?" She watched him and the others nod their heads.

"Well, he used to claim me as his future mate, he has since married ayame and now runs the Eastern nodded his head in understanding.

"Hn, lets talk with the wolf, maybe an ally in this would be of use." Shippo flinched a little, he knows how much the wolves hate the Inu clan, they have never been cordial with each other.

" Ah I think Kagome, I will bring word to Koga and his packs. I will discuss the circumstances and forge an alliance of sorts. Maybe as a reigning Lord Koga has more information."

"Good Idea, Sesshomaru you and I should be here for when shinobu returns, we need to figure out sleeping arrangements and work on training our daughter to fend for herself. This is a time of a new war. She needs to be prepared. I will send messengers out to fellow Miko and priests. We will reach out to our friends and allies, see who is willing to help us fight. And if not fight, who has some extra winter provisions. Come spring we will be ready for battle. Until then we need to lay low."

Takashi and Kai stood in awe of the woman before them. She was intelligent that was for sure. A miko of strength judging by her shield and presence earlier. Lastly, what daughter? Shippo nodded in approval of her idea before he took off deeper into the Eastern lands to speak to their Lord. Kagome gave Sesshomaru's hand a squeeze before she went off to find the others. They would need a meeting and then she would have Miroku and Inuyasha go out to send word to their allies. The last thing she would have to do is confront Kikyo, they have not been on great terms. Kagome assumes it is jealousy but she couldn't be sure. All she knew was Kikyo was a strong priestess like herself, and her help would be crucial in this war.

Sesshomaru watched the Miko leave. Turning to his friend he motioned for them to enter the hut. The three seated themselves around the fire in the center. Sesshomaru grabbed some water and the tea kettler from the shelf along the back wall. He placed it over the fire much to the two's surprise. Their Lord was currently making them tea. Both were brought from their thought when Sesshomaru made a small noise for their attention.

"I would like for you to tell me first what is happening currently in the West. Any and all information will be appreciated." His amber pools shined with a fire they have not seen in a long time. Their Lord was going to take his lands back. Kai spoke up first, he knew a little more of the personal family information then just what was happening in the lands.

"Your mother is currently looking for a strong mate. She wants a new heir to the West, so if he has strong young they are to take your place after training. She is willing to kill the males mate if need be. Though she has been eyeing up your general. He is one of us, he does not wish to be there and if someone can get in touch I am sure he can get more information out of your other. He just needs to bed her. Gain her trust and send out information. We all know your mother is infertile after your birth."

Sesshomaru nodded his approval. Kai has a lot more information than he thought he would get. Though he wouldn't expect any less from a pure blooded Inu. takashi spoke up next.

"Your mother is pulling all able men to fight for her, the army is divided, many wish for your return but may not speak of it. Woman are being forced to service soldiers and are taken from families for his purpose. She thinks it will keep morale high. Though many of the men do not approve. She has begun sending troops out to kill all the human villages in the West."

Sesshomaru closed his eyes taking in all of the information. His mother has gone completely crazy, that was a given. Especially since not only has she saved Rin's life before taking it away from her, but to sacrifice young woman to such a disgraceful job. Letting out a sigh he looked to his two men.

"Thank you for this information, please go hunt down a few stags, we will prepare a meal for the others return, we will eat before discussing where we are going from here." Both men nodded before leaving the hut to hunt.

Kagome took in a deep breath, after letting it go she tapped on the side of the door to Inuyasha's hut. She waited for a moment until Kikyo came through the door. She knew Inuyasha had to be out in the fields or he would have come out before her knocking.

"What do you want." Kagome flinched a little at the hostility in her voice.

"The tachi is holding a meeting about the upcoming war at my hut, when Inuyasha returns please inform him. Also if you do not mind, I wish to speak with you."

Kikyo looked her over once before nodding her head, she slowly turned to walk back in her hut, Kagome followed behind her.

Both woman took a seat, Kikyo seemed on guard but Kagome honestly did not know why. Trying to take deep calming breaths she tried to relax. It was a simple question and she needed to clear things up with Kikyo.

"Kikyo, I must ask, what I have done to upset you so. I realise me returning here may have caused you some problems. But when I noticed you had returned to flesh and blood I knew you and Inuyasha had mated, I never intruded on the two of you. I promise you I hold no feelings towards him any longer. I only see him as a friend and I hope to one day see you as one as well." She watched as Kikyo's features went from annoyed to surprised then settled on guilty.

"You are right, when you returned I felt threatened, I know the way he looked at you when you traveled together. You returned here for him and it is not uncommon for men to take more than one wife. I was worried he would want you and leave me aside. I know it has been ten years but I couldn't help wonder what would happen if I ever left you guys alone. Thank you for telling me this, I too hope we can begin to be friends. I will not say my worries will go away overnight. But I will try."

"Thank you, and if it is any consolation, I am mated with sesshomaru now. It is not official as we wish to wait things out for now, But I am marked." Kagome turned her neck to show the bite mark scarring her neck. Kikyo nodded her head before Kagome excused herself to leave. She had yet to talk with Sango and Miroku.

She walked through the slowly waking village to Sango and Miroku's house.