{Disclaimer: See chapter one. Man, you guys are more forgetful than I am.}

Chapter Eight: Preparations for War

The rest of the week was spent in Sesshoumaru's war room, strategizing how to defeat the Eastern Demon's army. The army was thousands upon thousands of demons, but Sesshoumaru's army wasn't small by any means. His generals sat around the table in the middle of the room, watching and waiting for Sesshoumaru's instruction. Sango counted seventy in all. Inuyasha stood beside Sesshoumaru at the head of the table, waiting. Sango and Kagome left to wander the rest of the castle, leaving the war talks to them. Sesshoumaru waited until he couldn't hear their footsteps, then started the meeting.

"A few of you will stand with me at the outer walls of the castle. The rest of you will hide in the surrounding forest. When the signal is given and the entire army is in the field in front of the castle, we will surround them, cutting off any exits."

He glanced around the table before settling on Inuyasha. He stood quiet, studying the map in the center of the table. Sesshoumaru sighed, fighting some inner turmoil before opening his eyes and making up his mind.

"Inuyasha will give the signal. He will lead you."

Inuyasha jerked his head to look at him, his hair spilling down his shoulder. He and Sesshoumaru locked eyes for a moment, then nodded in acceptance. He returned his gaze to the map, studying where his half of the army would hide. Sesshoumaru returned his stare to the other generals at the table. Not one questioned his decision. Sesshoumaru nodded his head.

"Prepare the men. The enemy comes at dawn."

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After the briefing, Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru lingered in the war room, reviewing instructions and equipment requests. After a while, Sesshoumaru sat in the window sill over looking the garden. Inuyasha stood beside him, his back leaning against the wall.

"Can I ask you something?"

Sesshoumaru nodded once. He already knew the question.

"Why would you let me lead half of your army?"

Sesshoumaru reclined against the side of the window, one leg draped on the inside, the other hanging off the outside. He sighed. "You didn't have to step in front of me when Ryuukossei attacked me, but you did. That and Kagome's words that day are etched in my mind. After all the pain I've put you through, you didn't give a second thought to protecting me. That's why I want you to be my right hand tomorrow." He gazed down at his arm, the dragon's claw still attached to him at the elbow.

"I trust no one else."

Inuyasha nodded and pushed himself off the wall to look out the window. Kagome and Sango were below, admiring the flowers.

"I only added flowers to Northwestern. The flowers here were planted by Father's servants. Seems like I'll have to plant flowers in Southwestern as well, since our humans like them so much."

A sucking sound commanded their attention. Inuyasha smacked his nose and Myouga floated down to the stone floor.

"Master, how can you be so cruel?" he moaned.

Inuyasha caught the flea before he hit the ground. "You have something to tell us, Myouga?"

"I just thought you would like an update on Lady Kagome's condition."

Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru nodded.

"Well, as you know, I got to experience her power first hand without injury."

"Without injury for now," Inuyasha growled. "Unless you want to remind me where you were when we noticed you."

Myouga blushed, gulped and continued: "Of course not. I researched my lady's power and it turns out that it's a mix of her miko powers and the Shikon Jewel."

Inuyasha shook his head. "We don't have enough pieces to affect her like that."

"She doesn't need pieces. Ever wondered why?"

Sesshoumaru waved his hand for him to continue, not liking the suspense the flea man was creating.

"Lady Kagome's power is because she is like a second jewel. The time spent inside her may have caused the jewel to copy itself, fusing the copy to its protector."

Inuyasha stared at him in shock. "So Kagome is another Sacred Jewel?"

"Hai, my lord. She is. But she needs the first jewel to do certain things."

Sesshoumaru nodded his head. "I figured as much. Especially after the way she reacted to your blood the past three months."

Inuyasha groaned. "I knew Sango was telling you."

"I only wanted to check on Kagome, since I did kind of over do it."

Inuyasha shook his head and walked toward the door. "Knowing you, you did it on purpose to see what would happen."

Sesshoumaru waited until his footsteps faded down the hallway, before he smiled. Forgetting Myouga was still there, he returned his stare back to the window and the two girls below. "Knowing you, you would get it right on the first guess."

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Sesshou: Yes, this abnormal chapter is finished. SF posted another one, so push the purple button.