"Pain is an illusion of the senses. Despair is an illusion of the mind."
~Author Unknown
All's Fair in Love and War
Chapter 18: Despair
~Hikari Fortress (Sango's POV)~
I stand against the wall, staring at the cold expression on Inuyasha's face. He looks like the memories of my father years after mother died. Solemn and detached, some one who can perform horrible things and not care. Perhaps the throne is what makes one so cruel.
His advisors sit on plain wooden chairs on the floor in front of the throne. They are silent with eyes down, waiting for their monarch to speak.
"What do you suggest we do about the rebellion?" He asks finally.
The 'leader' of the advisors stands up and bows low before Inuyasha.
"We suggest the same as what we advised you father. Gather your armies-they are much stronger then the rebels-and attack Regenbogen with-"
"Won't work." Inuyasha interrupts. "Regenbogen is too well guarded and is easily defendable. We would be forced into long siege. Also we would lose hundreds of men."
The advisor bows again with a touch of mocking in his face and sits back in his chair.
"Does no one have an idea?" Inuyasha asks. "Are we just going to let them continue to advance?"
No one answers. No one can think of the perfect plan. Everyone fears Inuyasha now that he is King.
~Road to Aoi Kaze (Kikyo's POV)~
I am almost there. I crossed the boarder into La Tour de Loup a few hors ago. I slow my horse to a slow walk to draw out the time it takes to reach Aoi Kaze. I wonder if Kagome knew how hard this would be for me. It is torture. Nothing is the same, I recognize nothing. The scenery is different then around Regenbogen, the forest covers everywhere but the road and a few meadows. The land is basically flat with a few rolling hills.
I want to stop. I want to turn back. Something warns me that Aoi Kaze will be much different then anything I've experienced. I quicken the pace, now I just want to get this over with so I can return to my solitude.
After about a half-hour I come to the city gates. In the very center of the city a tall tower looms. It is made of dark stone and it is obviously very old. A guard strolls over to me. He smiled arrogantly at me, probably assuming I am a tradeswomen seeking work.
"What is your business here?" He asks looking speculatively at my strange clothing and expensive horse.
"I have a message for the King of La Tour de Loup from Lady Kagome of Regenbogen." I say coldly.
He snaps to attention. He knows I out-rank him and being condescending to your superiors is dangerous.
"Sorry Lady. I'll open the gates right away." He rushes off after giving a low bow.
I ride into the busy streets of the city. I follow the main road to another gate. Again I talk to a guard who orders the gate to be opened. Aoi Kaze is well defended. This time I ride into a courtyard. Immediately a servent comes and takes my horse to the stables. Another comes forward as asks me to follow him to the King's throne room.
We come to a surprisingly plain wooden door and the servent motions for me to enter. I do as he says. The door opens to reveal a long wooden room, the wall are covered with intricate tapestries. Finally my gaze comes to the wall opposite to me. Sitting in a throne in an elderly man with long white hair and a beard. Beside him a young man-probably only a few years older then me-stands. They are both dressed in plain clothes that any soldier would wear but it is impossible not to see their rank. They hold themselves as royalty.
I walk forward to the throne with my eyes down. I wait for permission to raise my heard to look upon the 'most royal personages'. After a few seconds to acknowledge the difference in rank the King speaks.
"You have a message from Lady Kagome?"
I nod and hand him the parchment. I look over at who I assume is Prince Kouga. He has long black hair tied up in a ponytail and his skin is well tanned. When he notices my gaze he grins at me. I gasp when I see he has fangs instead of teeth. Perhaps some of the strange tales are true about the royal family of La Tour De Loup. I quickly look away. blushing slightly. He caught me staring.
The King finishes reading the letter. He frowns slightly in confusion.
"What about he marriage?" He asks.
I open up my eyes as wide as possible and try to appear innocent and ignorant.
"Marriage Your Majesty? I know of no marriage."
He looks frustrated. His son looks greatly amused by all the innuendo. I think he somehow knows I am lying.
"I will write an answer to Lady Kagome immediately. I will have a servent show you to your room and post guards outside your door."
I nod and purposely not looking at Prince Koura I turn and walk away. As I leave I hear the King muttering to his son something about poison.
~Regenbogen Haven (Miroku's POV)~
I am in the supply room helping to sort everything out for the supply wagons. I stop when Kagome bangs the door on her way into the room. In her hand is a letter. She hands it to me wordlessly. I unroll the parchment and read it carefully.
Lady Kagome. I have received your letter. I am happy you agree to my aid. I am also happy to send you proof of my intentions. You have by now heard of the King of Shi Wase's death. You may be surprised to note that it was my agents that slipped midnight-flower into the King's goblet. I think you will find his son a less worthy opponent. I would have poisoned the whole family but obviously an experienced baron would have just ascended the throne. I am happy to have done you this favor. Perhaps in the future you can do a favor for me. I, The King of La Tour de Loup.
He was the one who poisoned the King. My first thought is relief that he didn't try to kill Sango as well. My second is wondering why she is all I ever think about.
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yay! another chapter up! I hope the time and distances aren't being to confusing. I know everything is jumping around. And the distances just think of Europe (all the countries are small and close together). I have trouble writing about Kouga because I've never seen any of the episodes or read any of the manga that he is in. So please bear with me and tell me if he's acting wrong. I'll shut-up now.
THANK YOUS: CorruptedAngel. SailorSun1, Kitten Kisses, Brood Mayran, ShadowSpinner, AznGurl and meant2Bmatched FOR REVIEWING LAST CHAPTER!
~Author Unknown
All's Fair in Love and War
Chapter 18: Despair
~Hikari Fortress (Sango's POV)~
I stand against the wall, staring at the cold expression on Inuyasha's face. He looks like the memories of my father years after mother died. Solemn and detached, some one who can perform horrible things and not care. Perhaps the throne is what makes one so cruel.
His advisors sit on plain wooden chairs on the floor in front of the throne. They are silent with eyes down, waiting for their monarch to speak.
"What do you suggest we do about the rebellion?" He asks finally.
The 'leader' of the advisors stands up and bows low before Inuyasha.
"We suggest the same as what we advised you father. Gather your armies-they are much stronger then the rebels-and attack Regenbogen with-"
"Won't work." Inuyasha interrupts. "Regenbogen is too well guarded and is easily defendable. We would be forced into long siege. Also we would lose hundreds of men."
The advisor bows again with a touch of mocking in his face and sits back in his chair.
"Does no one have an idea?" Inuyasha asks. "Are we just going to let them continue to advance?"
No one answers. No one can think of the perfect plan. Everyone fears Inuyasha now that he is King.
~Road to Aoi Kaze (Kikyo's POV)~
I am almost there. I crossed the boarder into La Tour de Loup a few hors ago. I slow my horse to a slow walk to draw out the time it takes to reach Aoi Kaze. I wonder if Kagome knew how hard this would be for me. It is torture. Nothing is the same, I recognize nothing. The scenery is different then around Regenbogen, the forest covers everywhere but the road and a few meadows. The land is basically flat with a few rolling hills.
I want to stop. I want to turn back. Something warns me that Aoi Kaze will be much different then anything I've experienced. I quicken the pace, now I just want to get this over with so I can return to my solitude.
After about a half-hour I come to the city gates. In the very center of the city a tall tower looms. It is made of dark stone and it is obviously very old. A guard strolls over to me. He smiled arrogantly at me, probably assuming I am a tradeswomen seeking work.
"What is your business here?" He asks looking speculatively at my strange clothing and expensive horse.
"I have a message for the King of La Tour de Loup from Lady Kagome of Regenbogen." I say coldly.
He snaps to attention. He knows I out-rank him and being condescending to your superiors is dangerous.
"Sorry Lady. I'll open the gates right away." He rushes off after giving a low bow.
I ride into the busy streets of the city. I follow the main road to another gate. Again I talk to a guard who orders the gate to be opened. Aoi Kaze is well defended. This time I ride into a courtyard. Immediately a servent comes and takes my horse to the stables. Another comes forward as asks me to follow him to the King's throne room.
We come to a surprisingly plain wooden door and the servent motions for me to enter. I do as he says. The door opens to reveal a long wooden room, the wall are covered with intricate tapestries. Finally my gaze comes to the wall opposite to me. Sitting in a throne in an elderly man with long white hair and a beard. Beside him a young man-probably only a few years older then me-stands. They are both dressed in plain clothes that any soldier would wear but it is impossible not to see their rank. They hold themselves as royalty.
I walk forward to the throne with my eyes down. I wait for permission to raise my heard to look upon the 'most royal personages'. After a few seconds to acknowledge the difference in rank the King speaks.
"You have a message from Lady Kagome?"
I nod and hand him the parchment. I look over at who I assume is Prince Kouga. He has long black hair tied up in a ponytail and his skin is well tanned. When he notices my gaze he grins at me. I gasp when I see he has fangs instead of teeth. Perhaps some of the strange tales are true about the royal family of La Tour De Loup. I quickly look away. blushing slightly. He caught me staring.
The King finishes reading the letter. He frowns slightly in confusion.
"What about he marriage?" He asks.
I open up my eyes as wide as possible and try to appear innocent and ignorant.
"Marriage Your Majesty? I know of no marriage."
He looks frustrated. His son looks greatly amused by all the innuendo. I think he somehow knows I am lying.
"I will write an answer to Lady Kagome immediately. I will have a servent show you to your room and post guards outside your door."
I nod and purposely not looking at Prince Koura I turn and walk away. As I leave I hear the King muttering to his son something about poison.
~Regenbogen Haven (Miroku's POV)~
I am in the supply room helping to sort everything out for the supply wagons. I stop when Kagome bangs the door on her way into the room. In her hand is a letter. She hands it to me wordlessly. I unroll the parchment and read it carefully.
Lady Kagome. I have received your letter. I am happy you agree to my aid. I am also happy to send you proof of my intentions. You have by now heard of the King of Shi Wase's death. You may be surprised to note that it was my agents that slipped midnight-flower into the King's goblet. I think you will find his son a less worthy opponent. I would have poisoned the whole family but obviously an experienced baron would have just ascended the throne. I am happy to have done you this favor. Perhaps in the future you can do a favor for me. I, The King of La Tour de Loup.
He was the one who poisoned the King. My first thought is relief that he didn't try to kill Sango as well. My second is wondering why she is all I ever think about.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
yay! another chapter up! I hope the time and distances aren't being to confusing. I know everything is jumping around. And the distances just think of Europe (all the countries are small and close together). I have trouble writing about Kouga because I've never seen any of the episodes or read any of the manga that he is in. So please bear with me and tell me if he's acting wrong. I'll shut-up now.
THANK YOUS: CorruptedAngel. SailorSun1, Kitten Kisses, Brood Mayran, ShadowSpinner, AznGurl and meant2Bmatched FOR REVIEWING LAST CHAPTER!