a/n: Hi! I'm back and really happy with all the wonderful responses I got
for my story. Thank you so much to everyone that took the time to review
and leave comments. It really made my day! Hope this meets everyone's
expectations~
On a side note, I was wondering if anyone knew how to load a story so that
all the formatting (i.e.: italics, bold, etc.) shows up? I was kind of
disappointed that they didn't show up in the prologue, so I went back and
used single quotes for thoughts.but I'd really appreciate it if someone
could tell me how to format my stories. Thanks!
~koala-chan ;op
Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Inu-Yasha!
" . " dialogue
' . ' thoughts
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God Amongst Men
.::.Chapter One: Thus, They Meet.::.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Naraku leered from his perch upon the top of his keep. With his castle as the epicenter, devastation spread all around...as far as the eye could see and beyond.
"Kukuku..." a deeply self-satisfied, resonating chuckle, seductive in timbre yet so evil in undertone not even the purest of hearts could be ignorant of its malice.
'Who could resist gloating at a success so utterly complete? All that is left are the few scattered resistance factions that will easily be trampled now that the _great ones_ have fallen. All, that is, except Sesshoumaru...' Scarlet orbs hardened. 'It matters little. While problematic, he is a hairsbreadth from collapse. Soon...very soon, the entire world shall consider Naraku a name to be feared. They will dread it. Naraku shall be _GOD_ unto them.'
While immersed in such strains of thought, Naraku failed to notice the sudden drop in atmosphere around him as narrow, icy azure eyes burned into the back of his head. A figure, at the top of the stairwell he had just crested, stood in deliberation.
Should he attempt to overthrow the Lord? The perfect opportunity lay before him...his frosty eyes quickly surveyed the roof of the keep...not a soul...before flicking back to the source of his misery, only to find crimson eyes fixed upon his own, no less dangerous notwithstanding the amusement dancing on the surface for it failed to touch the emptiness within.
"Kouga," stated smoothly and steadily...cold, calculated. 'Planning my demise...I expected no less.'
"Naraku-sama..."
Kouga stood upon a pinnacle. He could save his soul with this information.
He felt the weight of blood red eyes resting upon him, scrutinizing his every miniscule action even as it quite testily said 'well, what is it.'
"It appears a faction in the West is building enough strength that help has be requested by the General there."
And a soul cried out in anguish...Then again, the information could damn him to hell for eternity.
As always, Kouga picked the sharp edge of the blade. Even as he felt the sharp blow to his abdomen and the cold hard stones rattling his bones as he fell to the floor, he could not regret his decision...after all, there was never any hope, so it mattered little whether he reported the information or withheld it.
"Take your pathetic pack of men and demolish the fools who dare to oppose me; however, bring the leader back to me alive. I want to see him squirm at my feet before I crush him."
Kouga took his leave before Naraku changed his mind and forbid his men freedom from his presence, even if for only a few measly months.
Naraku remained upon the roof of the keep for an indefinite amount of time. After his first rage, he began to like the situation. It presented a chance to let his sadistic side show itself to his slaves, a perfect opportunity to make an example of all those who even contemplate revolt. This rebel should feel honored that Naraku acknowledges him. Now all he had to do was await his arrival.
A sick, vicious twisting of the lips revealed Naraku's pleasure.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The man sauntered down the hall, exuding an image of peace, even as conflict raged and burned beneath his skin's surface.
It had begun mere months before and yet the end seemed fast approaching. His life took a drastic turn the day he defied chaos and pandemonium in favor of hope and peace...and now the fruits of his actions have begun to flourish.
His lands torn apart by strife, where starvation and disease prevailed throughout the terrain. An endless cycle of wars, death, blood, and yet more wars. His army depleted to the point where only a few barracks remained, barely enough to safeguard his castle and the little patch of green still alive enough to call land immediately within the vicinity of his home. This was all that remained of his glorious lands, all that was left him in Naraku's wake.
'Perhaps he is a God. Who would have thought that the insect could have devised something so effective. Such devastation should have taken well over half a year to achieve. Those worthless cowards. Could they not see he was bluffing? Fools. Without manpower or force behind his threats, Naraku would have no way to destroy all the warlords before he would be killed himself. It can't be helped, I'm surrounded by incompetent imbeciles.'
Sesshoumaru almost sighed before catching his worthless servant peaking around the corner. It would not do to reveal weakness before anyone, especially the groveling servant around the bend who he wished to avoid. Unfortunately, in hard times, he could ill afford overlooking the smallest detail. It could not be helped.
"Jaken," a rich, deep voice quietly commanded.
'Sesshoumaru-sama is so AMAZING! He could sense me even though I hid myself so well, almost as if he has supernatural powers! I'm the luckiest servant in the world to be able to serve my great lord.'
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama. This lowly servant Jaken is sorry to interrupt your infinitely more pressing and superior musings. If it were up to Jaken, he would not bother Sesshoumaru-sama with such trivial matters. It's quite a waste of time, really, the presumptuous villagers..."
Vacant gold eyes flickered to his servant before returning to the gardens below. It was enough. Jaken shivered with the thought of having displeased his Lord.
"A letter has come from the southernmost border of Sesshoumaru-sama's land, at least it used to be before Nar..." Quickly clearing his throat when dull yellow once again pressed into him, Jaken pressed on. "A rebellion against Naraku gains foothold in the valley there. It has had extraordinary ability in keeping from being obliterated since the invasion, in spite of the fact that it is a small, diminutive village. They suspect Naraku plans to crush their village once and for all now that the northern lands have fallen. Thus, they request that Sesshoumaru-sama assist them."
'Jaken has his moments after all.'
Sesshoumaru made no visible response.
Jaken plowed onward. "Jaken knew Sesshoumaru-sama would be offended by such forwardness, so Jaken will take the liberty to reject the - "
'Thought too soon.'
"Where is that worthless half-brother of mine?" the lord queried disinterestedly.
"This humble Jaken believes Inuyasha-sama remains at the village 10 miles East of the castle, helping with the rebellion there."
Sesshoumaru remained passively gazing upon what seemed to be the little color lingering in his world. Even his garden seemed to rally at the thought of resistance. An unidentifiable emotion took sudden reign within the Lord of the West, inexplicably filling him with a restlessness to be active. For the first time in two months, since the last portion of his land had been taken, Sesshoumaru sought to leave his fort. 'I must meet the leader of this faction at once. Perhaps he holds some secret knowledge of Naraku's weaknesses. How else could an insignificant village defy Naraku's endless forces for so long...Yes, an alliance is in order.'
"Make preparations for my departure. Gather all available men not needed for the safety of the castle, and inform them of our destination for the village of..."
"...the village has no name, Sesshoumaru-sama."
"...the village to the South, then." 'It will not do to thin out the forces so much. Inuyasha is fighting a lost cause in the East. They will be defeated within the fortnight.' "Dispatch a messenger to Inuyasha immediately. Tell him to pull out and meet me at the village to the south by the end of the week."
"Sesshoumaru-sama, what of the eastern village - "
For the third time that day, Sesshoumaru fixed his eyes upon his loyal servant; this time, annoyance reflected through gold, daring his servant to question his decision.
"Sacrifices must be made."
Within the hour the Western Lord departed from behind the safety of his castle with two dozen men, heading toward that inexpressible but almost tangible *something* looming in the South.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome surveyed the surrounding area from high above the ground. For the past two days she clambered up the tallest tree in her safe haven in hopes of being the first to spot the reinforcements she knew would come, and thus be the first to bring the village the uplifting news. They had to come. The Lord could not be so cruel as to see suffering without wishing to alleviate it. Her own personal philosophy. In her naiveté she applied it to the world in general, excepting Naraku.
It is truly amazing how her certainty of approaching assistance never wavered even amidst the drooping spirits and skeptical attitudes of others all around her. The girl had an inner strength that nobody expected. They used to view her as silly, an average girl. Yet, that day six months ago, a fire was lit within her that refused to die out, so strong it pulled the entire village with her in her will to live. How the inhabitants now rejoice at her existence.
'Where are they? It has been 10 days since the letter was sent. It takes 4 days to travel there, and 4 more to travel back. That makes 8. They should have arrived two days ago. I hope no calamity has befallen them...It is harsh times indeed when even warriors must fear for their lives whilst traversing across their homeland.'
Looking down upon her beloved clearing where very little had changed since that fateful day, Kagome could not help but reflect over what had changed in the past six-months, a lifetime before.
She remembered her sudden, fierce will to fight, to live; yet immediately after determining not to take condemnation without putting up a proper fight, she puzzled over *what* she could possibly do.
After finally overcoming her shock, Kagome continued to search for her family. Once she found them, they all quietly meandered home, drawing upon each other for strength and support. Entering the hut, Kagome watched her grandfather, usually so lively and full of energy, excuse himself and trudge tiredly toward his room in the back of the hut, aging a decade with each step he took. Even Souta, her younger brother of ten who should not have known the plagues of the world for another half decade, seemed irrevocably weighed down as he went outside to finish watering the vegetable garden.
Then, alone with her mother in the comfort of their hut, two generations of women remained soundlessly standing, unable to move, unwilling to acknowledge what the other must surely be thinking. Inevitably, they fell together comforting and comforted in the same breath.
Kagome knew the pain of her mother. For she knew the same loss. The one person who understood all her hopes, all her ideals and agreed with her optimism and outlook on life...the one who held her at night, gently rocking her to sleep, whispering of fairy tales and happily ever after. Her father. He sacrificed everything to protect her dreams, to make them reality. She felt safe just being within his vicinity.
He left one ominous day with his best friend, Kaoru-san, a wayward but kindhearted monk, on a mission to defeat a rising warlord known for his cruelty. Not even his body came back. Only a short letter, written by Kaoru-san moments before his own death. News of his death came as a shock to the Higurashis. To make it worse, they had not succeeded in defeating the foe, only in setting him back for a few years.
Being not yet seven at the time, Kagome had not understood it all; however, her mother's gravity had been enough to alarm the child that all was not right, never would be completely well again. Understanding came much later with time and maturity. With comprehension, came a constant apprehension against the time the hated warlord would rise to power because Kagome knew she would be incapable of sitting still and allowing that to happen. She would complete her father's task if it came to it.
That was over ten years ago, and the horror that her father had died to prevent had begun its raid.
After weeping all the pain and frustration out of their system, Kagome and Higurashi-san helped each other up. They reached a tacit agreement.
'I have to _do_ something, Mama. I cannot just stand by and let papa's life blood go to waste.'
'Then, whatever it is, I will help you achieve it.'
When Grandpa and Souta were informed of the plan to rebel against Naraku, both perked up immediately, pronouncing that they would banish the evil being that was Naraku. They appeared so amazingly similar, that the question of Souta's long puzzled over features became evident to Kagome and her mother. 'That's where he gets it from.'
For the next month the Higurashis rallied the village, brought back the will to fight for life, organized committees needed to make preparations for defense, and kept the people so busy they had no time to stop, think, and get discouraged. Everyone did what they could...probably the closest any society has ever come to achieving utopia, ironic considering the approaching violence and war.
When the troops appeared and the battles begun, they were prepared. They fought against defeat tooth and nail. Yet with the rapidly depleting resources and fast reducing manpower, failure seemed eminent.
Only Kagome retained any semblance of faith. When the outcome was irrevocably in favor of Naraku's minions, Kagome jumped into battle with an animalistic ferocity and through sheer willpower, she survived. Though contributing little to the battle itself, she accomplished her purpose. The men rallied at witnessing such courage, and found the courage within themselves, thus enabling them to turn the tide.
Kagome grasped that spirit and drive were just as important if not more so than force. From that point on, she held daily events to uplift the people's spirits and remind them what they were fighting for, the right to lead their own lives. And it worked. At least until the last raid. Naraku was becoming more vicious with time, thus leading to the current situation.
'I guess you _do_ need brawn.' A sudden glimmer jolted Kagome out of her inner musings. Fixing her eyes to the north, she squinted through the flashes of sunlight reflecting off metal as she recognized the emblem of the Western Lord, nothing was ever more beautiful to her eyes then the white flag bearing the indigo crescent and four crimson slashes in each corner, waving majestically in the caressing wind. Kagome started at how close the Company had gotten while she had been sifting through her mind. 'They came! They're here!' The reality of it froze her.
Then, in a flurry of movement, Kagome scrambled down the trunk and landed at the bottom with feline grace as she sprinted for the village. Her joy was so all consuming that just one look was all it took for the villagers to understand. Even as she stuttered with her words, out of breath from her invigorating run, the people rejoiced at their salvation, and prepared to receive the men who came so valiantly to their aide.
The whole town was quickly gathered and excitedly awaited the arrival of experienced fighters. As the procession came into view, many gasped at the splendor of the armor and weaponry carried. A general murmur now began and spread throughout the crowd that the Lord of the West, Sesshoumaru himself, had come.
Marching through the ragtag group of villagers, Sesshoumaru wondered how such simple, provincial, common farmers fended off Naraku for six months. The leader must be a great strategist. Turning his head in disgust at the openly gaping crowd and the quite rude "oohs" and "aahs" ejaculated by the uncivilized heathen, he attempted to ignore the people. Yet he could not help but secretly covet their ignorance that allowed them to enjoy life even in the middle of war, for although dirty and rough, they brimmed full of vigor and animation. Sesshoumaru failed to realize it had little to do with ignorance.
The group stopped at the town center. Sesshoumaru turned to the nearest inhabitant.
"Who is the man in charge." It was an order.
While everyone else's enthusiasm seemed to rocket through the roof, Kagome felt her own faith wavering as anger rose with each action committed by the *Great Lord.* How could the people stand such arrogance? Her pores felt clogged with it radiating off of the Lord in waves. These men were supposed to be kind, respectable. They seemed little more than savages. And would it kill the man to be more polite in a town he was visiting. And what was with the facial expression, or lack thereof to be more precise...'for heaven's sake I haven't even officially met the man, and I already find him insufferable.'
"The village elder is the man in charge, but - " one of the villagers eagerly provided and was just as abruptly cut off.
"I will speak to him at once."
"I am the village elder, Sesshoumaru-sama. Higurashi Shun at your service...you may call me Hi-ojii as everyone else - " Kagome watched as Grandpa stepped forward, unfazed by the unbearable man, only to be cut off as his fellow villager was, with no regard to etiquette or respect.
"You have led this faction?"
Though toneless, Kagome could not help but feel the Lord was scoffing at the old man. 'Don't just take that lying down, Grandpa! Come on, show him what your made of!'
"Oh, of course not, an old fogie like me? Hahaha! That's the joke of the century. If you want the faction leader, _she_ is right there."
Kagome applauded her grandfather's treatment of the Western Lord, as if he were just another villager. She was sure he would be offended. She smirked, until she saw just whom her grandpa pointed out to the Lord. Looking behind her, she realized everybody had parted so that she remained standing alone, her own little oasis.
'Oh God No! Grandpa...'
Although honored and abashed, Kagome felt no claim to the title. She believed they had gotten where they were through teamwork, with each pulling their own weight. The fact that there was no leader is what gave them success. Kagome searched the crowd for some help or denial of Grandpa's assertion only to find all in agreement, alternately nodding, smiling, and congratulating her as she focused beseechingly upon them.
'Waitaminute. Mama! You agree to this? You knew what he was planning...' Sudden awareness never hit Kagome so hard. She went reeling with the backlash of it. 'Face it, Kagome, they all had this planned. Well, there's nothing for it but to show how touched I am by the gesture and make the best of it.'
Kagome snapped herself back to reality as she felt something searing into her forehead. As she rose her eyes, they locked onto empty gold with just a hint of a spark. Amusement.
"You are the one in charge, woman." Clearly amused disbelief.
How dare he mock her. But she mustn't let her temper run away with her. Mama always said that she should learn to control her temper. Her fuse was always abnormally short, quick to explode, but equally quick to calm down. She straightened to her full height before calmly stating "Welcome to our village, Sesshoumaru...sama. We have prepared living quarters and the like in anticipation of your arrival. As the leader of our resistance group I, Higurashi Kagome, thank you for your swift assistance, as requested. We will cooperate fully with your men in any way possible so long as we eradicate the impending threat."
Kagome pat herself on the back for her excellent control.
Sesshoumaru's eyes, had anyone been carefully monitoring, narrowed a fraction of a millimeter. Who did the wench think she was, voicing his name with such impertinence. The nerve of the girl. As if a woman of any sort, let alone this _child_, giving her a quick once over, average in every aspect, could ward off Naraku, succeeding where even _he_ encountered difficulty. Who did these simpletons think he was? And just why was he getting so worked up. It mattered little what they did. He was only here for one thing.
'Very well, I will continue this charade until I can determine the true leader; that is who I am here for.'
"My men shall require food and drink before they retire early for the night, having traveled for six days at a taxing pace. I trust you have enough manpower to protect the village at least until daybreak."
"We do."
"It is settled. I shall see Higurashi-san here at dawn to discuss the situation." With that dismissal given, Sesshoumaru turned and strode to one of the tents indicated as living quarters and disappeared within.
Counting to ten, and then fifty, Kagome pasted a brilliant smile upon her face before pivoting in the opposite direction to face the remaining men and assist them in their needs. Casually avoiding an errant hand, one thought echoed through her otherwise blank mind.
'This is gonna be Hell.'
~*~ end chapter one: thus, they meet ~*~
Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Inu-Yasha!
" . " dialogue
' . ' thoughts
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God Amongst Men
.::.Chapter One: Thus, They Meet.::.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Naraku leered from his perch upon the top of his keep. With his castle as the epicenter, devastation spread all around...as far as the eye could see and beyond.
"Kukuku..." a deeply self-satisfied, resonating chuckle, seductive in timbre yet so evil in undertone not even the purest of hearts could be ignorant of its malice.
'Who could resist gloating at a success so utterly complete? All that is left are the few scattered resistance factions that will easily be trampled now that the _great ones_ have fallen. All, that is, except Sesshoumaru...' Scarlet orbs hardened. 'It matters little. While problematic, he is a hairsbreadth from collapse. Soon...very soon, the entire world shall consider Naraku a name to be feared. They will dread it. Naraku shall be _GOD_ unto them.'
While immersed in such strains of thought, Naraku failed to notice the sudden drop in atmosphere around him as narrow, icy azure eyes burned into the back of his head. A figure, at the top of the stairwell he had just crested, stood in deliberation.
Should he attempt to overthrow the Lord? The perfect opportunity lay before him...his frosty eyes quickly surveyed the roof of the keep...not a soul...before flicking back to the source of his misery, only to find crimson eyes fixed upon his own, no less dangerous notwithstanding the amusement dancing on the surface for it failed to touch the emptiness within.
"Kouga," stated smoothly and steadily...cold, calculated. 'Planning my demise...I expected no less.'
"Naraku-sama..."
Kouga stood upon a pinnacle. He could save his soul with this information.
He felt the weight of blood red eyes resting upon him, scrutinizing his every miniscule action even as it quite testily said 'well, what is it.'
"It appears a faction in the West is building enough strength that help has be requested by the General there."
And a soul cried out in anguish...Then again, the information could damn him to hell for eternity.
As always, Kouga picked the sharp edge of the blade. Even as he felt the sharp blow to his abdomen and the cold hard stones rattling his bones as he fell to the floor, he could not regret his decision...after all, there was never any hope, so it mattered little whether he reported the information or withheld it.
"Take your pathetic pack of men and demolish the fools who dare to oppose me; however, bring the leader back to me alive. I want to see him squirm at my feet before I crush him."
Kouga took his leave before Naraku changed his mind and forbid his men freedom from his presence, even if for only a few measly months.
Naraku remained upon the roof of the keep for an indefinite amount of time. After his first rage, he began to like the situation. It presented a chance to let his sadistic side show itself to his slaves, a perfect opportunity to make an example of all those who even contemplate revolt. This rebel should feel honored that Naraku acknowledges him. Now all he had to do was await his arrival.
A sick, vicious twisting of the lips revealed Naraku's pleasure.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The man sauntered down the hall, exuding an image of peace, even as conflict raged and burned beneath his skin's surface.
It had begun mere months before and yet the end seemed fast approaching. His life took a drastic turn the day he defied chaos and pandemonium in favor of hope and peace...and now the fruits of his actions have begun to flourish.
His lands torn apart by strife, where starvation and disease prevailed throughout the terrain. An endless cycle of wars, death, blood, and yet more wars. His army depleted to the point where only a few barracks remained, barely enough to safeguard his castle and the little patch of green still alive enough to call land immediately within the vicinity of his home. This was all that remained of his glorious lands, all that was left him in Naraku's wake.
'Perhaps he is a God. Who would have thought that the insect could have devised something so effective. Such devastation should have taken well over half a year to achieve. Those worthless cowards. Could they not see he was bluffing? Fools. Without manpower or force behind his threats, Naraku would have no way to destroy all the warlords before he would be killed himself. It can't be helped, I'm surrounded by incompetent imbeciles.'
Sesshoumaru almost sighed before catching his worthless servant peaking around the corner. It would not do to reveal weakness before anyone, especially the groveling servant around the bend who he wished to avoid. Unfortunately, in hard times, he could ill afford overlooking the smallest detail. It could not be helped.
"Jaken," a rich, deep voice quietly commanded.
'Sesshoumaru-sama is so AMAZING! He could sense me even though I hid myself so well, almost as if he has supernatural powers! I'm the luckiest servant in the world to be able to serve my great lord.'
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama. This lowly servant Jaken is sorry to interrupt your infinitely more pressing and superior musings. If it were up to Jaken, he would not bother Sesshoumaru-sama with such trivial matters. It's quite a waste of time, really, the presumptuous villagers..."
Vacant gold eyes flickered to his servant before returning to the gardens below. It was enough. Jaken shivered with the thought of having displeased his Lord.
"A letter has come from the southernmost border of Sesshoumaru-sama's land, at least it used to be before Nar..." Quickly clearing his throat when dull yellow once again pressed into him, Jaken pressed on. "A rebellion against Naraku gains foothold in the valley there. It has had extraordinary ability in keeping from being obliterated since the invasion, in spite of the fact that it is a small, diminutive village. They suspect Naraku plans to crush their village once and for all now that the northern lands have fallen. Thus, they request that Sesshoumaru-sama assist them."
'Jaken has his moments after all.'
Sesshoumaru made no visible response.
Jaken plowed onward. "Jaken knew Sesshoumaru-sama would be offended by such forwardness, so Jaken will take the liberty to reject the - "
'Thought too soon.'
"Where is that worthless half-brother of mine?" the lord queried disinterestedly.
"This humble Jaken believes Inuyasha-sama remains at the village 10 miles East of the castle, helping with the rebellion there."
Sesshoumaru remained passively gazing upon what seemed to be the little color lingering in his world. Even his garden seemed to rally at the thought of resistance. An unidentifiable emotion took sudden reign within the Lord of the West, inexplicably filling him with a restlessness to be active. For the first time in two months, since the last portion of his land had been taken, Sesshoumaru sought to leave his fort. 'I must meet the leader of this faction at once. Perhaps he holds some secret knowledge of Naraku's weaknesses. How else could an insignificant village defy Naraku's endless forces for so long...Yes, an alliance is in order.'
"Make preparations for my departure. Gather all available men not needed for the safety of the castle, and inform them of our destination for the village of..."
"...the village has no name, Sesshoumaru-sama."
"...the village to the South, then." 'It will not do to thin out the forces so much. Inuyasha is fighting a lost cause in the East. They will be defeated within the fortnight.' "Dispatch a messenger to Inuyasha immediately. Tell him to pull out and meet me at the village to the south by the end of the week."
"Sesshoumaru-sama, what of the eastern village - "
For the third time that day, Sesshoumaru fixed his eyes upon his loyal servant; this time, annoyance reflected through gold, daring his servant to question his decision.
"Sacrifices must be made."
Within the hour the Western Lord departed from behind the safety of his castle with two dozen men, heading toward that inexpressible but almost tangible *something* looming in the South.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome surveyed the surrounding area from high above the ground. For the past two days she clambered up the tallest tree in her safe haven in hopes of being the first to spot the reinforcements she knew would come, and thus be the first to bring the village the uplifting news. They had to come. The Lord could not be so cruel as to see suffering without wishing to alleviate it. Her own personal philosophy. In her naiveté she applied it to the world in general, excepting Naraku.
It is truly amazing how her certainty of approaching assistance never wavered even amidst the drooping spirits and skeptical attitudes of others all around her. The girl had an inner strength that nobody expected. They used to view her as silly, an average girl. Yet, that day six months ago, a fire was lit within her that refused to die out, so strong it pulled the entire village with her in her will to live. How the inhabitants now rejoice at her existence.
'Where are they? It has been 10 days since the letter was sent. It takes 4 days to travel there, and 4 more to travel back. That makes 8. They should have arrived two days ago. I hope no calamity has befallen them...It is harsh times indeed when even warriors must fear for their lives whilst traversing across their homeland.'
Looking down upon her beloved clearing where very little had changed since that fateful day, Kagome could not help but reflect over what had changed in the past six-months, a lifetime before.
She remembered her sudden, fierce will to fight, to live; yet immediately after determining not to take condemnation without putting up a proper fight, she puzzled over *what* she could possibly do.
After finally overcoming her shock, Kagome continued to search for her family. Once she found them, they all quietly meandered home, drawing upon each other for strength and support. Entering the hut, Kagome watched her grandfather, usually so lively and full of energy, excuse himself and trudge tiredly toward his room in the back of the hut, aging a decade with each step he took. Even Souta, her younger brother of ten who should not have known the plagues of the world for another half decade, seemed irrevocably weighed down as he went outside to finish watering the vegetable garden.
Then, alone with her mother in the comfort of their hut, two generations of women remained soundlessly standing, unable to move, unwilling to acknowledge what the other must surely be thinking. Inevitably, they fell together comforting and comforted in the same breath.
Kagome knew the pain of her mother. For she knew the same loss. The one person who understood all her hopes, all her ideals and agreed with her optimism and outlook on life...the one who held her at night, gently rocking her to sleep, whispering of fairy tales and happily ever after. Her father. He sacrificed everything to protect her dreams, to make them reality. She felt safe just being within his vicinity.
He left one ominous day with his best friend, Kaoru-san, a wayward but kindhearted monk, on a mission to defeat a rising warlord known for his cruelty. Not even his body came back. Only a short letter, written by Kaoru-san moments before his own death. News of his death came as a shock to the Higurashis. To make it worse, they had not succeeded in defeating the foe, only in setting him back for a few years.
Being not yet seven at the time, Kagome had not understood it all; however, her mother's gravity had been enough to alarm the child that all was not right, never would be completely well again. Understanding came much later with time and maturity. With comprehension, came a constant apprehension against the time the hated warlord would rise to power because Kagome knew she would be incapable of sitting still and allowing that to happen. She would complete her father's task if it came to it.
That was over ten years ago, and the horror that her father had died to prevent had begun its raid.
After weeping all the pain and frustration out of their system, Kagome and Higurashi-san helped each other up. They reached a tacit agreement.
'I have to _do_ something, Mama. I cannot just stand by and let papa's life blood go to waste.'
'Then, whatever it is, I will help you achieve it.'
When Grandpa and Souta were informed of the plan to rebel against Naraku, both perked up immediately, pronouncing that they would banish the evil being that was Naraku. They appeared so amazingly similar, that the question of Souta's long puzzled over features became evident to Kagome and her mother. 'That's where he gets it from.'
For the next month the Higurashis rallied the village, brought back the will to fight for life, organized committees needed to make preparations for defense, and kept the people so busy they had no time to stop, think, and get discouraged. Everyone did what they could...probably the closest any society has ever come to achieving utopia, ironic considering the approaching violence and war.
When the troops appeared and the battles begun, they were prepared. They fought against defeat tooth and nail. Yet with the rapidly depleting resources and fast reducing manpower, failure seemed eminent.
Only Kagome retained any semblance of faith. When the outcome was irrevocably in favor of Naraku's minions, Kagome jumped into battle with an animalistic ferocity and through sheer willpower, she survived. Though contributing little to the battle itself, she accomplished her purpose. The men rallied at witnessing such courage, and found the courage within themselves, thus enabling them to turn the tide.
Kagome grasped that spirit and drive were just as important if not more so than force. From that point on, she held daily events to uplift the people's spirits and remind them what they were fighting for, the right to lead their own lives. And it worked. At least until the last raid. Naraku was becoming more vicious with time, thus leading to the current situation.
'I guess you _do_ need brawn.' A sudden glimmer jolted Kagome out of her inner musings. Fixing her eyes to the north, she squinted through the flashes of sunlight reflecting off metal as she recognized the emblem of the Western Lord, nothing was ever more beautiful to her eyes then the white flag bearing the indigo crescent and four crimson slashes in each corner, waving majestically in the caressing wind. Kagome started at how close the Company had gotten while she had been sifting through her mind. 'They came! They're here!' The reality of it froze her.
Then, in a flurry of movement, Kagome scrambled down the trunk and landed at the bottom with feline grace as she sprinted for the village. Her joy was so all consuming that just one look was all it took for the villagers to understand. Even as she stuttered with her words, out of breath from her invigorating run, the people rejoiced at their salvation, and prepared to receive the men who came so valiantly to their aide.
The whole town was quickly gathered and excitedly awaited the arrival of experienced fighters. As the procession came into view, many gasped at the splendor of the armor and weaponry carried. A general murmur now began and spread throughout the crowd that the Lord of the West, Sesshoumaru himself, had come.
Marching through the ragtag group of villagers, Sesshoumaru wondered how such simple, provincial, common farmers fended off Naraku for six months. The leader must be a great strategist. Turning his head in disgust at the openly gaping crowd and the quite rude "oohs" and "aahs" ejaculated by the uncivilized heathen, he attempted to ignore the people. Yet he could not help but secretly covet their ignorance that allowed them to enjoy life even in the middle of war, for although dirty and rough, they brimmed full of vigor and animation. Sesshoumaru failed to realize it had little to do with ignorance.
The group stopped at the town center. Sesshoumaru turned to the nearest inhabitant.
"Who is the man in charge." It was an order.
While everyone else's enthusiasm seemed to rocket through the roof, Kagome felt her own faith wavering as anger rose with each action committed by the *Great Lord.* How could the people stand such arrogance? Her pores felt clogged with it radiating off of the Lord in waves. These men were supposed to be kind, respectable. They seemed little more than savages. And would it kill the man to be more polite in a town he was visiting. And what was with the facial expression, or lack thereof to be more precise...'for heaven's sake I haven't even officially met the man, and I already find him insufferable.'
"The village elder is the man in charge, but - " one of the villagers eagerly provided and was just as abruptly cut off.
"I will speak to him at once."
"I am the village elder, Sesshoumaru-sama. Higurashi Shun at your service...you may call me Hi-ojii as everyone else - " Kagome watched as Grandpa stepped forward, unfazed by the unbearable man, only to be cut off as his fellow villager was, with no regard to etiquette or respect.
"You have led this faction?"
Though toneless, Kagome could not help but feel the Lord was scoffing at the old man. 'Don't just take that lying down, Grandpa! Come on, show him what your made of!'
"Oh, of course not, an old fogie like me? Hahaha! That's the joke of the century. If you want the faction leader, _she_ is right there."
Kagome applauded her grandfather's treatment of the Western Lord, as if he were just another villager. She was sure he would be offended. She smirked, until she saw just whom her grandpa pointed out to the Lord. Looking behind her, she realized everybody had parted so that she remained standing alone, her own little oasis.
'Oh God No! Grandpa...'
Although honored and abashed, Kagome felt no claim to the title. She believed they had gotten where they were through teamwork, with each pulling their own weight. The fact that there was no leader is what gave them success. Kagome searched the crowd for some help or denial of Grandpa's assertion only to find all in agreement, alternately nodding, smiling, and congratulating her as she focused beseechingly upon them.
'Waitaminute. Mama! You agree to this? You knew what he was planning...' Sudden awareness never hit Kagome so hard. She went reeling with the backlash of it. 'Face it, Kagome, they all had this planned. Well, there's nothing for it but to show how touched I am by the gesture and make the best of it.'
Kagome snapped herself back to reality as she felt something searing into her forehead. As she rose her eyes, they locked onto empty gold with just a hint of a spark. Amusement.
"You are the one in charge, woman." Clearly amused disbelief.
How dare he mock her. But she mustn't let her temper run away with her. Mama always said that she should learn to control her temper. Her fuse was always abnormally short, quick to explode, but equally quick to calm down. She straightened to her full height before calmly stating "Welcome to our village, Sesshoumaru...sama. We have prepared living quarters and the like in anticipation of your arrival. As the leader of our resistance group I, Higurashi Kagome, thank you for your swift assistance, as requested. We will cooperate fully with your men in any way possible so long as we eradicate the impending threat."
Kagome pat herself on the back for her excellent control.
Sesshoumaru's eyes, had anyone been carefully monitoring, narrowed a fraction of a millimeter. Who did the wench think she was, voicing his name with such impertinence. The nerve of the girl. As if a woman of any sort, let alone this _child_, giving her a quick once over, average in every aspect, could ward off Naraku, succeeding where even _he_ encountered difficulty. Who did these simpletons think he was? And just why was he getting so worked up. It mattered little what they did. He was only here for one thing.
'Very well, I will continue this charade until I can determine the true leader; that is who I am here for.'
"My men shall require food and drink before they retire early for the night, having traveled for six days at a taxing pace. I trust you have enough manpower to protect the village at least until daybreak."
"We do."
"It is settled. I shall see Higurashi-san here at dawn to discuss the situation." With that dismissal given, Sesshoumaru turned and strode to one of the tents indicated as living quarters and disappeared within.
Counting to ten, and then fifty, Kagome pasted a brilliant smile upon her face before pivoting in the opposite direction to face the remaining men and assist them in their needs. Casually avoiding an errant hand, one thought echoed through her otherwise blank mind.
'This is gonna be Hell.'
~*~ end chapter one: thus, they meet ~*~