by: Del_kaidin and Tiranth.
Chapter 17 - First Attack
The inu youkai was very surprised when he blinked and they were suddenly in a snow covered field. He scented Akisame on the wind beneath the horrid stench that was Naraku. 'You're time on this world is over Naraku,' he thought, drawing Toukijin as the four of them stalked toward the castle.
She felt a small stab of panic when she realized where they were. A voice in her mind screamed that she wasnt ready, that she couldnt face an enemy such as Naraku. Then she felt a sudden inner calm. She might not be ready but with her 'family' beside her, they all would triumph. "I will scout ahead." Taka closed her eyes and let her body reform itself. When the transformation was complete, a fox of brilliant white with golden eyes stood in her place. The fox streaked ahead, unnoticable on the snow covered ground.
She turned and started to the door only to be met by Naraku. "What do you want?"
"You, Akisame. You will meet them with me. You will not speak. Or I will do this." He grabbed her arm quickly. She screamed at the action. Yet as she continued to scream behind the barrier she had errected within her mind, she was calm, his memories and thoughts didn't penetrate, didn't taker her through them. "Do you understand."
"Of course Master Naraku. Whatever you say Master Naraku." He was surprised by the sarcasam in her voice and that she hadn't fainted from the onslaught of his thoughts. He motioned her out of the room and she gladly walked out of the room. She followed him to the courtyard, knowing this was where he wished to fight them.
They waited, sitting in the cold. A fur was brought and placed over her shoulders after a time.
She watched Taka transform into a golden eyed snow fox and dash away. "Guess her sire was kitsune after all." Continuing she heard Akisame's scream, but there was something different. It wasn't the scream of terror, it was one of anger, she could almost feel it. Turning to Sesshomaru. "I think he knows we're here. So do you want to rush in or make him wait. I say make him wait, waiting always induces terror. Besides he expects of to rush in."
At Akisame's scream, he almost bolted to her side but he somehow knew that she was only putting on a show, that Naraku had not hurt her. "Yes, we'll wait. At least until Taka returns."
She slipped easily past all the guards, following her nose to Akisame and Naraku. Taka studied the courtyard, commiting every detail, every snowflake to memory, so that she could let Leena see what she had seen. Returning to her companions she shifted back to ningen form. "He's waiting in the courtyard. Leena can I show you what I saw?"
Nodding she reached into the pups mind. She saw the courtyard, Naraku kneeling on his cushion with Akisame at his side. She caught a scent memory and tested it. Smiling she looked at Sesshomaru. "Your mate is angry. It's a good thing Naraku does not have an Inu Youkai nose. Sesshomaru, before becoming the Lord of the Western Lands, my sire was an assassin. I too am an assassin. I think we will take out the guards first." Kneeling she drew a map from the memories Taka had given her. She indicated each guard that Taka had showed her and then speculated where more would be. "My suggestion is a full attack, each of us should be able to handle the low level demons and human guards alone. The easiest and quickest and most dangerous is a full out frontal assault. As strange as it seems that is what I am suggesting. With one exception, Kiarara she will enter here." Indicating the spot Taka's fox form had used. "Kiarara your job is to get to Akisame unseen and protect her. If she becomes endangered get her out of there. Take her to the Sesshomaru of this world. He will know she has been marked by you. We can only hope that the Inu Yasha of this world was able to get him to listen." She turned to Taka "You will be here" she indicated a small tower to the left of the main gate. "I know you are afraid you will loose control, remember the kata, remember to fight with your head and not your emotions." Turning to Sesshomaru she indicated the main gate. "You will enter here, I am hoping he is unaware that you are in our group. He may assume you are the Sesshomaru from this world and allow you to walk in. You must be the cold bastard that is my sire, unless he doesn't buy the act. Then by all means kill anything that moves." Indicating the tower to the right. "I will be here. Any questions?"
The four of them agreed on the plan and went their seperate ways. Taka once again used her fox form to make her way to her indicated position. Once there she took out the two ningen before they even had a chance to blink. She shifted again, peaking out the window. As she waited for her companions to get into their positions she attmepted to calm her racing heart. She prayed for Midoriko to watch over them.
The guards at the front gate cowered before him when he demanded to see Naraku. He was escorted to the courtyard by several groveling slaves, who all reminded him too much of Jaken. He had buried every emotion deep within himself, his face once again a mask of indifference and disdain, though seeing Akisame nearly made him strike prematurly at the kuso. 'She is beautiful when she's angry,' he thought absently. He hoped she wouldnt give them away prematurely.
Naraku gave him a smirk. "And what brings the mighty Sesshomaru-sama to my home?"
Sesshomaru gazed cooly at Naraku. "I am displeased with your actions of late, Naraku."
"Oh and what actions might they be Sesshomaru-sama?" the evil youkai asked, putting emphasis on the term of respect, turning it into an insult.
Sesshomaru paused, Taka was in the tower, the two guards there dead, now for Leena...
Folding her magic even tighter around herself she left the tower, the guards carefully propped into position. Gathering her magic tighter about herself she moved to the second phase of her personal mission. She was pleased to watch as Sesshomaru was granted admittance to the courtyard. She had not told the others all her plan, for they would not have alowed it. With Youkai speed and Maiden skill she moved quickly through Naraku's castle, soon only the guards in the courtyard remained. She exited the castle to stand behind Naraku. While Sesshomaru and Naraku continued their staring match she moved snatching Akisame from the cushion pulling her into her arms she leapt twisting mid air she landed and released the girl.
She ran to Sesshomaru. In the brief contact she had with Leena she knew what the plan was. She knew her strength would increase once his arm held her again. She raised her lips to his, she never wanted to see the cold unfeeling man before her again. She wanted her gentle, teasing, and loving Sesshomaru. "Husband?" she whispered softly.
'What the hell?' Taka pushed away her suprise, leaping from the tower and sped her companions side. She gave Leena a sidelong glance, the woman, now the Maiden, smelled of death. Stopping between Leena and Sesshomaru, the young youkai drew her sword and turned to look at Naraku, who had the most amusing look of suprise on his pale face.
Sesshomaru fought to keep his own suprise from his face when Leena appeared behind Naraku. When Akisame's lips touched his own, and her whispered word reached his ears, the mask slid away as quickly as it had been put on. He wrapped his arm around her, letting his love for her show in his golden eyes. "I'm here," he said just as softly, his lips brushing her ear. He turned his eyes to Naraku, red flecks appearing now, a low rumble building in his chest, "Kidnapping my mate," he said in response to the previous question.