Chapter Three

Painful Patience

It was a good thing Kagome wasn't in love with her husband. The time apart would have been agony if she did. Before, when Lord Tashio was around in the villa, it was his lack of time to give to her. Kagome understood; he ruled a large amount of land and people. However, this was different; he was far from home and in danger.

Regardless of how Kagome felt for him as a husband, she didn't want him to get hurt! But there was nothing she could do besides wait with the rest of the household.

"He'll be fine. Trust me. Lord Tashio has yet to fail in keeping the peace."

Sango was watching Kagome, as always, while she tried to focus on writing her letter home. Her fingers cramped from holding the quill too tight, and she dropped it with irritation. "Maybe I need a walk? Sitting here is going to drive me mad."

"It's only a few days more…."

"We hope! These things can't exactly be measured."

Already to her feet, Sango rose right after her and followed closely behind. It was a new daily pattern for her, needing some air from her fretting each day since Inuyasha left. Nearly two weeks now, the promised return date was approaching but not fast enough for her.

Once they stepped into the main manor, leaving her private quarters behind, there was something in the air. She wished it was the return of Lord Tashio and his men, but it wasn't the right atmosphere for that. No, this was something else. And Kagome didn't miss how handmaids were trying to steer her in another direction (along with Sango) when she caught on.

"What's going on?"

"It's nothing, Kagome. Let's go back to your quarters."

Sango wasn't going to answer her, so she grabbed a maid and smiled sweetly at her. "Why is everyone so upset?"

The maid huffed agitatedly and pointed. "That woman is back; that's what's got everyone upset."

Following her finger, Kagome found an elegant woman walking around as if searching the place for something. Her perfectly powdered face and ruby red lips went perfectly with her bright, floral print kimono and golden uchiki. The woman looked like she was floating, a superior air about her that someone like Kagome could never hope to have.

"Who is she?"

The maid was relatively new, and even though Sango tried to stop her, Kagome was too sly not to get her answer. "Lady Kikyo. Lord Tashio's mistress."

oOo

All that time Kagome wasted worrying about her so-called husband was now making her run a track in her floor. She angrily paced, wondering if Sango would be kind enough to help her pack.

"Calm down, Kagome; it's not what you think."

"Isn't it? Two months into our marriage, and I've seen him two times. My wedding day and right before he tells me he's leaving? Is that because he was busy with his mistress?!"

Sango sighed and gripped her head as if it hurt. "She is his former mistress. That maid had old information."

"His...former mistress?"

Sango told her to sit, and Kagome listened, taking the spot across from Sango at the kotatsu placed in her room. "Yes. He sent her away long before he married you. I'm not sure what she is doing back here. She must have heard about his marriage."

"Why would she return after he was married?"

"Probably to see if she could scare you off! The woman is a witch!"

Shaking her head, Kagome couldn't get the image of the elegant Kikyo out of her head. "Someone that beautiful can't be too terrible?"

"That woman used Lord Tashio! She is a witch trust me! He wanted to marry her; he loved her…." Sango stopped, saying more than she meant to.

But since Kagome felt no love for her husband, she assumed the pain in her chest was for the lovers torn apart. Not for herself. "Why didn't he?"

"The council didn't approve. I don't know why but whatever the reason, Lord Tashio had her leave. She must have done something terrible to get our Lord to force her out the way he did."

"Or...he was just so heartbroken...he couldn't bring himself to see the woman he couldn't have every day."

Kagome's handmaid came racing into the room out of breath and panicked. "Lady Kikyo has requested a room! She intends to stay until Lord Tashio returns!"

"Hell no! Tell her to leave!" Sango shouted.

But it was Kagome's call. "Show her to the guest quarters."

oOo

Kagome hadn't been able to find the nerve to meet and speak with Lady Kikyo. In a way, she was the other woman, not Kikyo. Inuyasha wasn't dead, but she equated Kikyo's suffering to her mother's.

All of this meant staying out of the main house and lacking the courage to ask her to leave. Something Sango kept insisting she do.

"Kagome. I love you and all your sweetness; however, this is ridiculous. Kikyo is your husband's former mistress! One he doesn't want here, and if he were here, he would tell you himself! Do you think the first person he's going to want to see when he returns is her?"

"I do. Lord Tashio loves Kikyo; why wouldn't he?" Sango's face was red as she screamed in frustration. It only made Kagome giggle. "Listen, Sango. We are being polite letting her stay here. And since she is his mistress, then it's Lord Tashio's place to tell her to go, not me."

"You should tell her to get out of your house! You've been held up in here because of Kikyo, and don't lie!"

"Having her here has been a nice distraction, at least." The date for Inuaysha's return came and went. Now instead of two weeks, it was becoming three. "Shouldn't we be more worried about the Lord's late return?"

Sango blanched but quickly turned from her charge. "I'm sure everything's fine."

It was hours later when the bell in the town rang, signaling trouble. Sango jumped to her feet; with everyone gone to battle, no one left to defend the town. Kagome didn't hesitate to follow after her guard, seeing the armory for the first time. "What are you doing? You can't go with me; you are the Lady of this province!"

Ignoring her, Kagome grabbed a bow and quiver. "I can help!"

"Oh yeah?!"

"Sure I can! I'm good with a bow."

Kagome didn't wait for Sango to get the chance to stop her, forcing Sango to follow her out as she raced across the mansion. They passed many worried faces, a few men still left, too old to go, raced with them to the sound of the bell. Kagome took note of Lady Kikyo as she emerged from the house, running past her without pausing as Kikyo stood still with the confusion. There was nothing she could do about the woman, now or earlier, but leave her behind. At least Inuyasha's lover would be safe.

None of them were prepared for what they faced when they got to the center of town; there were so many wounded that Kagome lost count quickly as the room filled with bodies. But, once they realized there was no threat, that the bell was for these returning men, they all relaxed, switching from fighting to helping.

The temple became the epicenter, filling quickly with wounded. Kagome searched more times than she could count, but there was no sight of white hair anywhere. "Where is Lord Tashio?"

Forgetting her tasks, Kagome dropped the bandages she had been carrying off on Sango. Then, searching thoroughly, she came up empty again.

"Where is Lord Tashio?!"

Her scream caused the place to quiet down to an eerie level of mumbling. Finally, a brave soldier took her arm, recognizing her past her simple dress. "Lady Tashio...the Lord...he is dead."

oOo

Inuyasha had been foolish, letting this go on as long as it had. All because he didn't want to leave his new bride so soon after marrying her.

But the situation had gotten so bad thanks to his hubris.

It was an attempt to take over one of their leading rice suppliers. Without them, half the province would starve. They might already, the people of the village too busy fighting off the neighboring town to the farm.

The worst part, they had no clue who was leading this crew. The rabble seemed to be all on their own, but that was impossible. As it stood now, all he and his men could do was sit and wait, keeping their eyes and ears open for the next attack.

The village was happy to have them, housing and feeding them while finally free to get on to their work. When no one showed after the first week, most of Inuyasha's men worked in the fields with the townspeople. Even himself.

"This is not the work of a Lord, Tashio."

Miroku was lifting a giant bail of hay over his shoulder as he spoke, struggling with the weight. Inuyasha could help him, but that wouldn't be as funny. "We need rice to survive, and these people are doing all they can to supply it. So what else is there for a Lord to do to help his people?"

The chuckle Miroku released was his undoing, falling backward onto his ass. Now Inuyasha laughed, nearly falling onto his own ass when they heard it.

It was a popping sound, loud and distant but powerful enough for them to take notice. "Everyone, get down!"

Most managed to find cover, but not all as the giant ball of fire came down on them and the middle of the field. The attack was happening.

Grabbing Miroku off the ground and anyone else he passed, he ran back to where his sword sat idle. The farmers ran for their lives, his men running in the opposite direction and into the fray. Those attacking came out of their hiding spot, the woods surrounding the field, and quickly began to overwhelm Inuyasha and his men. It had gotten so bad they may not win this battle.

The field was on fire, and they were dodging all sorts of deadly blows. The swordsmen clashed, and metal rang while fire arrows rained from the sky. They wanted to destroy the crop.

Neither side was giving in, and against all odds, his men started to take the lead. This was why Inuyasha's province was so prosperous. Even outnumbered, his men didn't give up and won out in the end.

The only ones left on the field were injured or dead, so Inuyasha surveyed the damage. Half the field was gone, burnt to a crisp. But they managed to save the other lots along with half the one he stood on. They would survive.

Snow was gently falling, putting out the remaining fire and darkening the sky. Grabbing a survivor, Miroku and two of his men stood by his side as he pulled the man from his early grave. "Who do you take your orders from?" The man shook his head, acting as if he couldn't speak. But his injuries didn't support him, and Inuyasha wasn't patient. "Who do you take your orders from?"

Inuyasha's small knife in a remaining flame got red hot fast and hissed when he pressed into the man's cheek. He screamed, proving he could speak, not that Inuyasha didn't already know. "We...I don't know! I follow...the others!"

Dropping him, Inuyasha and his guard moved on to the next man. It was going to be a long night.

oOo

"This is ridiculous!"

Miroku and Myouga took pleasure in Inuyasha's frustration, watching him fume. "What's wrong with him again?"

"Can't find the leader of the rebel group, and he's missing his wife."

"Shut your mouth, Miroku!" The two chuckled at Inuyasha while he contemplated getting a new advisor and captain of the guard. "I told her two weeks!"

"She'll understand, my Lord." Myouga was trying to soothe him, and it only pissed him off more.

"Have you ever been married, Captain? Or you Monk? No, you haven't, so shut the hell up!"

The two gave up and focused on things they could fix. "If we moved further West, we would be in Lord Gun's territory. That would be problematic since he hates Lord Tashio."

"If the rebels are there, then I don't care. He probably has something to do with all this anyway!"

"My Lord, it would not do us well to jump to conclusions," Miroku warned.

"I know. I just want to figure this shit out and go home."

Myouga shook his head. "And this is why I never married."

"FEH! You never married because you're a slob. Now get out." Myouga left as ordered while Miroku lingered. "What is it now?"

"You could always write her a letter? Letting her know what's going on and how you miss her?"

"I don't miss her, you dumbass."

"Funny. You never used to talk so violently to me until Kagome came around. Just pointing out the truth."

Alone, at last, Inuyasha still couldn't quieten his mind. It was mixed with thoughts about possible leaders to the rebel group and Kagome's smile. He never had this problem before; Inuyasha had always been able to focus on the task at hand. Someone like Kagome invaded all your senses, though, making it impossible to think about much else. So kind and innocent, she was beautiful inside and out. Why wouldn't Inuyasha think about Kagome?

Probably for the first time, he took Miroku's advice on romantic matters, sat down, and wrote Kagome a damn letter.

oOo

It was a plan he didn't care much for, but what else could they do? The men were tired and in need of reinforcements. They had no choice but to head home. At this rate, his letter would reach home just before he did. He hoped Kagome enjoyed it instead of feared him even more from it.

The mountain terrain was rough and treacherous. It also left Inuyasha and his men open to attack, something everyone was on edge about as they made their way through the Demon's Pass. Appropriately named, many had lost their lives in this part of the mountains to robbers, hunger, or slipping and falling to their deaths. It made the horses weary too, jumpy and stressed.

All of it made the young Lord even tenser.

His thoughts were hardly on what they should be, planning to go straight to Kagome when he got home and do something bold. Like, kiss her. Oh god, he wanted to kiss Kagome, and that was all based on what others had told him about her. Ad Inuasha's memories of her beautiful face and body.

All this time, Inuyasha had wasted giving Kagome space, but no more. Once all this was over, he would spend as much time as possible with his wife.

Again, he wasn't paying attention to what was most important at the time, his hubris getting to him. It was why it was his men's calls that alerted him to danger.

Several fell before the call went out to them all. "AMBUSH!"

Closed in by mountain walls, there was little escape from the onslaught of arrows. The only choice was to move as close to the walls as they could and fire back blindly. They were coming from everywhere wholly surrounding them. And just when they thought things couldn't get worse, the rocks began to fall.

"They're burying us!"

The last thing he saw was Miroku trying to cover him with his body, pushing him out of the way. But he refused, shoving Miroku as hard and as fast as he could just before everything went dark.

Ending on a cliffy, but if you want more today, all you have to do is head over to my Tumblr for more!