Unexpected Allies
Part Three
Trial of the Century
By Striking Falcon
Chapter Eight:
Easy Listening…..
"Shhh" Shippou said to Sango and Miroku. They were walking down a hallway inside the main hall of the Taiyoukai Council House when Shippou heard arguing coming from a nearby door. Sango and Miroku paused then crossed the hallway to the wall closest to the door. As they crept closer and the argument got louder, Shippou wrinkled his nose in disgust. "I smell something bad."
Sango and Miroku stopped at the door. It was barely ajar. Kirara climbed up Miroku's shoulder as Shippou settled on Sango's. "That sounds like Elder Kenirous," Sango whispered as they listened in.
"What do you mean the miko is not dead yet?" Kenirous hissed.
"I don't want her dead," someone said.
Shippou paled. 'Naraku!'
"Why not?!!"
"That's my concern. Why are the taiyoukai and the hanyou not dead?"
A slam against wood, then "Because I gave my word that I would wait until two weeks! If you would just destroy her and get it over with, I would not have a problem!"
"I take my time with my playthings. When do you expect me to return?"
Sango looked around, looking for an exit. The only one available was an open window only a foot away from them. She decided that it would be the best way out in an emergency. Sango tensed as Kenirous responded.
"Two weeks will be up in about four days. Come then and we will proceed with the council."
When footsteps approached the door, Sango grabbed Miroku and Shippou and dashed for the window. She jumped, pulling the fellows with her as she landed and ran across the courtyard to another building. She barely got them inside when Naraku and Kenirous appeared in the courtyard. When Naraku flew away, Sango released a pent up breath.
"Come on. We've got to tell Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru."
As they ran toward the dungeon, Kenirous sneered; watching as Naraku disappeared in the sky. 'The miko will destroy him,' he thought as he moved to return to his office. 'That is the only reason I let her leave. Naraku is a fool to think I would share such power with him.' He stopped as a waning scent floated under his nose on the moving breeze. Kenirous followed it toward the dungeons.
"I knew that rat bastard was a fake!" Inuyasha hissed. Sango and Miroku sighed, then turned to Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru was deep in thought, ignoring Inuyasha's outburst.
"What do we do, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Miroku asked.
"I suggest you leave," Sesshoumaru said. "Now that I know about Kenirous' treachery, I will tell Kagome to inform Shorin. She will assemble my troops and storm the Council."
"That will not be necessary," a female kitsune said as she stepped out of the shadows of the cell. Inuyasha groaned.
"Great goin', Fluffy. She's probably with Kenirous."
The kitsune shook her head. "Actually, the Council has been suspicious of Kenirous since he replaced Lady Mira as Elder."
"Who's Lady Mira?" Shippou asked.
"My mother," Sesshoumaru said dryly.
"I have secretly investigated the Elder, and you," she nodded toward Sango and Miroku "have provided enough 'proof' as the miko said, to have Lord Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha-san released and Kenirous tried for treason in your stead. You may summon your army if you believe it necessary, but do not do it right away. It will not proper." The kitsune bowed and left the cells.
"Yay! Now we can help Kagome!" Shippou cried.
As the kitsune neared Kenirous' study, a hand shot out from the darkness of a nearby hallway. There were sounds of a struggle, then a small thump. Kenirous stepped into the light. Glancing down both sides of the hallway and sniffing to see if it was empty, he reached back and dragged a rolled up rug to his study. He closed the door behind him, then tossed the rug into the fire with a small smirk on his face.
"Poor Lady Soyovana," he said with a shake of his head. Kenirous turned away from the fire, mentally placing a cleansing spell on the hallway to erase her scent. "The bitch never knew when to mind her own business."