Chapter Six
Kagome was awakened several hours later by movement in the cave. She opened her eyes in time to see Sesshomaru, Inu-Yasha, and Miroku leave, led by some of the wolf youkai who were in better shape than others they had seen before. As silently as she could, Kagome followed, curious as to where the males were heading, and with such grim expressions on their faces.
"What's going on? Where are we headed?" Kagome wondered, until finally they reached the outside, where the wolf youkai had built a small bonfire. The air was crisp and cold, and every now and again a breeze blew, forcing a shiver out of Kagome that nearly blew her cover.
"Wish I had brought one of those furs." Kagome thought, as she watched the assembled youkai stand respectfully for the Lord of the Western Lands and his brother. In the firelight, Kagome could see Kouga standing there as well, but he had changed. No longer was he a carefree, uncouth young male youkai; he looked and acted older, and his face was grave.
"He looks so sad…………….." Kagome thought, as she gazed at the wolf's cool blue eyes from her hiding place. Kouga acknowledged Sesshomaru with a slight nod, then motioned for everyone to sit.
"It is well known, Sesshomaru-sama, that you are the ruler of the Western Lands, and that your deeds there are great. But Jax has told me that you intend to try and kill Naraku. Is this true?" Kouga asked, sounding uncharacteristically subdued and mature.
"Yes. He has wronged me, as well as these two. They will tell their stories in turn, and in due time. For now, there must be a decision. Will we fight the one who torments us, or will we allow him to live and find someone new to torment?" Sesshomaru asked, quietly, but with a fire of his own in his golden eyes. For a few moments there was murmuring among the wolves, then one spoke up.
"Milord, we will be willing to fight, if we had more allies. We don't know how many Naraku has gathered." The wolf youkai said, uncertainly.
"Then we shall have to send for aid. Kouga, are there any more wolf packs around or near these mountains?" Sesshomaru asked.
"There are a few. What do you intend to do?" Kouga asked.
"Raise an army, of course. If it's war Naraku wants, then we shall give it to him, in our own fashion. But first, messengers must be sent." Sesshomaru said.
"I'll go and rouse the wolves, Kouga-sama!" Jax said, eagerly, his cobalt blue eyes shining. Kouga nodded.
"Then go. But be silent and swift. We must be certain that Naraku does not get wind of what we are doing." Kouga said, getting an eager grin and a quick nod from the younger wolf, before he disappeared into the night.
"But who will go and rouse the dogs, if I may be so bold to ask?" Miroku asked, as he nervously fingered his rosary beads.
"Milord, send me." A soft voice said, from amidst the wolves gathered at the cave entrance. To everyone's surprise, a dainty dog youkai stepped forward, her long silver hair reflecting the moonlight perfectly.
"But what are you doing here?" Sesshomaru asked, confused as to how the young female had come to be there.
"I came because I was curious, Milord. I wanted to see what our wolf kin were like. I want to help. Please send me to rouse our kin, Sesshomaru-sama. Please." The female pleaded.
"Tell me your name." Sesshomaru ordered, in a tone that held no anger.
"I am called Yuiko, Milord." The female replied.
"Then go, Yuiko. Race the wind to the Western Lands and alert my troops. Tell them to make haste and meet me at these mountains. We will wait here for two days for them to arrive." Sesshomaru said, sounding every bit the ruler he was.
"We, Milord?" Yuiko asked.
"Inu-Yasha and myself, and our traveling companions. Being that Inu-Yasha is also a son of Inu-Taisho, he will also help lead, with our father's fang shining bright and strong aloft before us. Now go!" Sesshomaru ordered. At once, the small female was gone.
"Now what do we do?" Kouga asked.
"We wait, and prepare ourselves. This is not going to be an easy battle. Naraku, by what I have heard, doesn't like losing and fights dirty. We must take care that we don't fall prey to his treacherous ways while on the battlefield." Sesshomaru said. As the conversation wore on, Kagome moved silently back into the warmth of the caves. Even though her body was cold from being outside, it didn't compare to the numbness her mind now experienced. The youkai were going to war, and Inu-Yasha and Sesshomaru were going to be the first to head into it!