The faint traces of dawn were appearing in the sky. The blackness of midnight was starting to slowly lighten with each passing hour across a bloody-red sky. Inuyasha stared out over the length of field cautiously. He stood in the shadow of the wall, and just above him were sentinels posted, leaning lucidly on their bent bows and sturdy pikes.
Trapped!
Cursing himself soundlessly, Inuyasha's golden eyes fixed over to his left, where he could see a major portion of the ninjas resting, deeply sunken into the looming darkness of the stone wall. Some of them had not been so lucky entering the city, and had fallen prey to the arrows and swords of the strong defenders. Still, those who had fallen had one less thing to fret about. As it was, the survivors: those who had scouted and gathered as much visual intelligence as possible, and collated very carefully, were now stuck beneath the wall! Approaching the wall from a distance was one thing, but retreating from right in front of the enemies gaze was another completely! It was suicide!
At times like these, Inuyasha wished he had his brother's goddamned foresight! As it was, he had to make due with what was available. At least they had one good piece of luck. Because of their comparison of information, each member of their group knew the whole lot of it. Each of them could give the full report to Sesshoumaru. Only one of them need go back. That meant less casualties for now, but it also put the sole traveler in great peril! With only one target, and one path of moving stalks to draw the attention of the guards to, the volunteer would be easy to pick off.
He rotated his eyes along the group at his side. Six nekos. Sango had yet to return, and two other nekos was still missing; three other of their original number he had seen lying dead on the ground inside the wall. And then there was the matter of that girl... She had disappeared the moment they had set out into the field. He had led the others into the stalks, and when he turned around to count the number that he heard pass by him, he didn't account for her. He didn't smell her in the pungent crops. Her scent was still bound at the treeline, and when he had turned, he had seen her rushing north in the trees. At the time, there was nothing for it: he had s job to do, and had already ordered the approach. He couldn't stop and turn around!
Still, her absence worried him. Where had she been going? Could it really be that she WAS a spy going to report to the Lord in the city? He shivered ferociously at the prospect. He didn't want to believe that about her. His heart forced him to deny it.
To his right, he heard a terrible groaning noise. It was loud and big and heavy! He moved along the curve of the wall, and peeked around the edge looking to the centre of the structure, the West-face side where he saw, with sudden realization dawning, that the gates of the Capital were swinging steadily open, the hinges screaming loudly under the swaying weight! A moment had come and gone before he watch men clad in armour streamed in file out of the opening. Dreadful weapons sparkled from the dim, red light of the sky.
There was no question now. The East had made the next dictating move, and Inuyasha breathed a small sigh of relief; at least now, they didn't have to worry about the fortified wall as much with the city emptying out its defenders. But then, he sunk to his knees as reality hit him full force. The troops in the trees weren't expecting a march like this! Naturally, they would be be watching, but they were waiting lazily for Inuyasha's return and Sesshoumaru's command! And even with his brother's talent for calm strategy, there would be too little time to organize them properly by the time anyone took interest in what was happening outside in the field!
Biting his lip harshly, he slunk back to his companions, and ordered them to stay put for now. When they asked what his plan was, he simply grunted, and shot out into the rye stalks at top speed! The nekos were horrified as they watched Inuyasha charge forward, making a beeline for the trees a mile distant! He was in plain view, and the guards atop the wall made sure to point out that fact as arrows rained down heavily at Inuyasha as he wove on, stalks slapping sickeningly against his face, the sharp clove edges catching and tearing at his cheeks and parted lips!
Inuyasha felt his lip split as a stalk hit him across the bottom lip, and he could taste blood in his mouth. It dribbled down his chin, but he couldn't stop! He had to warn Sesshoumaru as soon as possible! The oji was so blinded by the urgency of his task, that he didn't sense the arrows pause to redirect their follies. They bent their bows to shout ahead of where their target was.
Inuyasha ran forward ten more feet before he felt an agonizing stab on his right shoulder! It was like a knife plunging through the muscle and jamming painfully in bone, and as he ran the bone swivelled, and he ached from the grinding against the metal point! Then he realized, his assumption was very close.
He didn't stop as he reached to his shoulder, and touched the stem of the oaken arrow embedded in his shoulder. His fighting arm was immobilized! He tried to move it to his sword hilt on his left hip, but after an inch of swinging, the inferno of burning pulping returned ten fold, and he cried out.
He looked forward and saw the trees were only about a hundred yards away now, and he sped on, despite the weariness spreading from his shoulder, and its compelling command to sleep. Wind pounded against his ears, and he drew them flat against his head. He could still hear the men behind him marching deafeningly loud out of the city.
Don't stop, don't stop, don't stop, don't stop!!
Fifty yards from the trees and sanctuary, he dropped. The peaceful tug of unconsciousness rang through his body, and he was ready to give into it. Still out in the open, his exhausted body waited for the keenest of the archers – those with the accursed miko blood flowing in their veins – to fire again, and strike him down for good...
He heard the whistle of the arrows flying through the air towards him, and squeezed his eyes shut in despair. It was over. Through the thickness of blood and saliva in his mouth, his tongue lolled out the fragile words:
"I am so sorry, Kagome-koi..."
Kagome stopped in mid-stride. Through the wooden corridor of the castle, she had heard a quiet voice whisper, like a spectre in the night. Her blood ran cold as her heart became a vice, recalling that she knew that voice from somewhere, as garbled and hollow as it was by its echo. It had apologized to her...
Gruff, clammy hands reached out through the stalks and tugged on the red cloth, dragging the body of the hanyou along the earth toward the trees. The inu's legs trailed behind slowly, and a split second later, the ground that had been his bed was empty, save for five glittering arrows embedded in the soil.
The darkness of the trees overlaid the two demons that had dragged him to safety, and they moved away when a very pale, silent lord came forward. Glassy eyes stared at the oji with great hurt within their depths before they looked away in haste, toward the field where they saw a massive cloud of darkness marching.
So, the Eastlings had left their fortress, then. And Inuyasha had come to warn them.
Kikyo moved forward, and gently placed her hand upon her beloved's forearm while resting her cheek upon his shoulder. Tears glazed her eyes as she watched Inuyasha's laboured breathing. There would be hope for him, as long as she received her osama's word right away and was able to begin her work.
"My lord," she spoke softly, "I can help him. Will you let me?"
"Hai." With that, Sesshoumaru turned away, and hurried off to speak with the captains. There was a great deal of work to be done now. However, Kikyo did not miss her beloved's tears as they flew silently through the air as he had turned.
She kneeled down, and shooed away the curious creatures at her side. For the healing, she needed privacy. And after all, miko powers were shunned in the demon world, as they had been used to fight them in the past. Closing her eyes, she laid her hands upon Inuyasha's shoulder, preparing to pull out the arrow.
She did not flinch when her patient, as predicted, screamed, as the weapon was torn from his bone.
Kagome. Where was Kagome? His head spun dizzily around, the earth quaking beneath him. He shivered. Where was his beloved? His fair lady with raven hair and eyes of keen gray that would sparkle dazzlingly?
She was at home, of course, safe and sound. For that, he could be grateful. She was home, where, upon his return, her locks would bounce about her shoulders and her eyes would sparkle all the brighter as she sprang out to greet him! Her arms would fly around his neck, and her kiss would take him into the sky with its feeling! His blood would rush from that feeling! It ached for it now. It would ache until it received that affection. So, until then, his blood would continue to rush. It would pump through him only to have her with him again! After that, he didn't care if he died, as long as she was with him.
He would live to touch her again, and experience her hand in his. Yes, he WOULD live!
His golden eyes peeked open dully, and blinked lazily in the darkness. He could see trees above him. A forest. He blinked again, and shot up into a sitting position. Forest! He was with his kin! He had made it!
Standing quickly, he ran forward, through the brush and among his demon brethren, until he saw the shape of his brother come into view. As he bounded on, he could feel his blood moving inside him with exhilaration! He stopped just short of running into his brother, and crouched down on the ground.
"How long was I out?" he asked.
"Not long. Kikyo performed a healing for you." Suddenly, Sesshoumaru stood, and moved forward to the treeline. Inuyasha followed, and felt a numbness in his right arm. He could see over his brother's shoulder the dark shape of the Eastlings approaching slowly.
"What? Kikyo? What's she doing here?! What happening to me?" Inuyasha inquired, touching his numb shoulder gingerly.
"An arrow. Kikyo did her best, but she said that you may never recover fully. The muscles are weak in that arm now, and you will not be able to use your sword with it." Seshoumaru paused in hesitation, but decided to continue. "I brought her because she asked me to. She wanted to be here for..." he looked uncomfortable, "Kagome."
"WHHHHHAAAATTT?!?!?!" Inuyasha bellowed, eyes flashing between crimson and gold. "You!! You... you BASTARD!!!!! You let KAGOME come along too?!?!!?"
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the insults. "It wasn't my place to deny her that, Inuyasha. And it isn't yours either!"
"The HELL it isn't!!!!" Inuyasha roared, and pushed forward. "Where did you put her?!"
"Inuyasha—!"
"WHERE?!?!?!"
Sesshoumaru sighed in defeat. "The ninjas. She hasn't returned yet."
"You put her with the NINJAS?!?!? You mean, she's all the way back THERE?!?! And I left her there?!"
"I didn't send her without defense," Sesshoumaru defended. "I had her train with Toutousai before—!"
"Toutousai?" Inuyasha blanched. "She was with Toutousai just before we left? Then she was... The girl smelled like... Oh NO!!" Glaring fiercely at his brother, Inuyasha growled. "What did she plan on doing here?"
"She wanted to speak with her father. She wanted to know... if he still didn't love her. Inuyasha, where do you think you are going?"
Inuyasha turned around from the edge of the trees. "To go GET her, of course!!"
"Inuyasha, perhaps you don't remember, but we've got an army between us and the city, in a very confined space, and you can't use your sword because of your shoulder. How exactly do you plan on rescuing her?"
"I'll dash out!"
"Yes, and that worked so very well on your way back here, didn't it, little brother."
"Shut the FUCK up!!! This is YOUR fault anyway!"
Sesshoumaru moved away. "I fail to see how. And anyway, if you end up dead, do you think Kagome will be very happy? Knowing that you were trying to rescue her, she would feel even worse. If you insist of getting her, follow me into the field."
"What the hell are you talking about?!" Inuyasha replied, moving toward Sesshoumaru seriously.
Sesshoumaru pointed. "We have no choice but to march out there, Inuyasha. The forest is too confined to fight, despite it making very good shelter. The only way to fight is to advance and meet them. In fact, we're almost ready to do just that." He looked away and smiled softly. "Inuyasha, stay with me... and I'll make sure you reach the city. Then you can go find her."
Inuyasha felt a softness creeping up through his sheet of anger. He let it wash him calmly, before nodding lightly. Great, he was relying on his brother to protect him! Just FUCKING great! Well, he supposed, as long as he could find Kagome and keep her safe, that was all that mattered. It didn't really mean anything how it was achieved.
"We're ready, milords," came a sneering voice from above their heads. The brothers looked up and saw a snake demon curled awkwardly about a bough in a tree. It's soft, hypnotic hiss reverberated through its coils and erupted as a low rumble through its closed mouth a forked tongue.
Sesshoumaru did not reply, instead choosing to waltz forward, out of the trees. He was followed by what the ninjen army could see as a cursed black mist – a miasma to their blood. Still, the demons knew the ningens had halted to watch and wait. On both the West and central sectors of the plain could now be seen shadows of omen. Within the darkness were horses spurred, spears rattled, and swords held high to the coming onslaught. Death was on the horizon, and there wasn't a one on that plain who did not know it.
Sesshoumaru examined the shadow that lay stretched across the plain a half a mile off from himself and his kin. The number he tallied roughly was alarming, though not as terrible as could have been. Apparently not all of the East's neighbours believed in the conflict and had sent no troops to forward Bishamon. Not surprising, considering HE was the Eastern king... Still, he was happy that Kikyo remained in the trees, separate from this slaughter.
At his side, Sesshoumaru could sense his brother standing firmly, right hand held tensely upon the hilt of Tetsusaiga. Sesshoumaru took his little brother's hand from the sword, and shook his head.
"Not this time, little brother," he said, raising his hand to Inuyasha's shoulder where it gripped him lightly. "Your arm, remember?"
Inuyasha looked dejected.
"Don't worry, Inuyasha. You'll get your chance," He turned to look at his kin and raised his voice high, a cold assurance resting in the gold depth of his irises. "We all will. We didn't start this, but we WILL be the ones who finish it. It must stop here!
"The humans have pushed their hatred of our kind to the brink, and in doing so, they have released a nightmare more terrible than ANY demon! We told ourselves, as youkai, that we would kill when necessary – even if it meant slaying a human! What else would they have us do? Fall down on our knees and subject ourselves to their mortality and ignorance? To keel over and die from starvation or their hunting? We have lived too long a free beings to be capable of living as slaves or worse! For that reason, we have NEVER slaved a ningen! They, too, share our NEED for freedom.
"We will fight to survive, and we will show them mercy. Show them that we are not the nightmares they dream of, or that we don't deserve respect and honour! Show them your ferocity upon the battlefield, but show your clemency in all other places! Show them we are youkai, and that none will take that from you!"
Roars of praise swept over the dismal mass of bodies behind the osama, and he nodded to Inuyasha as his brother smiled knowingly. Then, Sesshoumaru moved a few paces forward, and turned on his kin to look at them directly. He stood there for what seemed an eternity, just facing them and sweeping his gaze over the whole of the crowd. And then it happened. The great osama closed his eyes, and deeply bent at the waist.
Of his people, he knew he was asking much, and so he gave them his humility as remuneration. Lord Sesshoumaru of the West was bowing low before his people.
Under his breath, Sesshoumaru whispered, "Show them that we have morality."
And before another word could be spoken, Sesshoumaru watched from his bent position as his subjects cheered wildly, and then rushed forward! In mass, they swept over the rye, stamping it violently into the ground and leaving the field flat! A dark shadow crept over the stalks, gliding full speed toward the ningens who now shook with fear and determination, adrenaline pumping hard! A moment passed before Sesshoumaru stood and again, and he bolted forward after the demons, Inuyasha right behind!
Into the fire they ran, an unstoppable wave ready to rip at the shore!
Inuyasha bounded after his brother, keeping close as he noticed his arm was continually numb. He looked far ahead, and saw the city looming in the distance with oh so many obstacles in the way! Still, he pushed onward, vowing that he would not stop until Kagome was safely wrapped in his arms!
Kagome slid along the wall deftly, and pushed open the door to her left. It was heavy and large, and groaned on it's specially made hinges as she shoved hard with both hands! She peered in shyly, and noticed someone standing near the chair at the far end of the massive rectangular room. Bracing herself, she crept inside, and cursed herself as she heard the terribly loud clanking of her shuriken at her belt! The metallic sound surely had given her away!
She should have secured them better!!
She saw the man begin to turn, and her eyes became saucers! With some difficulty, she dropped silently to the matted floor, and rolled along to a dark patch near the right-hand wall! Just as she entered the shadow, she watched as the figure near the throne moved, and looked back to where she had been moments before.
She couldn't see his face, but she knew who it must be!
'Father...,' she thought mournfully.
She was barely able to lift up her ninja-to in time to block the strike the came as the man spun round to look directly at her with strange brown eyes, and charged across the room, slicing down on her with his own sword!
Her breath hitched as she tried to push up with her ninja-to, to fend him off! Too strong! He was too... STRONG!!! She let out a straggled cry as she leapt away from under the sword, but she was too slow! She felt the searing pain of the blade scraping cruelly along her arm! Her sword dropped to the floor as she held her gashed arm protectively.
"You're not my father," she rasped as she saw his face clearly, feeling the slickness of blood coat her fingers and trickle down the arm of her shinobi.
From under his brows, the man's brown eyes stared at the hime. "No, I'm not. He wanted for me to wait in case someone came looking for his head. Like YOU!!"
With the last word, he launched forward and bore down on Kagome once again. This time, she managed to dodge, and landed on her side a few feet away with a devastatingly hard blow! Her ribs were on fire from the impact, though she doubted any were broken yet. With speed that she couldn't begin to fathom the origin, she stood shakily on her feet, and with her good left arm, unclasped and raised up two shuriken from her belt. Firmly grasping them between her fingers, she felt a soft hand resting upon hers. She turned to her side and saw the most lovely lady standing at her side, helping her hold the stars between her digits! The woman gave off a faint glow, and smiled at Kagome.
"Mother...?" Kagome whispered.
There was no more time to waste, as her mother guided Kagome's long fingers back, and aided her in hurling the shuriken toward the man now charging her! Mother and daughter watched as the metal shredded through heavy cloth and tore into the chest cavity, and the man buckled over in pain!
"Mother?" Kagome repeated, staring the spectre.
"Kagome-chan," her mother replied, "don't leave him in pain. Finish it."
Kagome nodded, released her last two shuriken from her belt, and watched them swivel through the air with a deadly hissing sound before one plunged into the man's shoulder, while the other lodged fatally at the base of his neck! She severed his life threads. She was a murderer...!
"Kagome-chan, just because you killed doesn't mean you are a murderer... You fought to save your life; there is no shame or blame in that." Her mother soothed, encircling her arms about her daughter fondly.
"You know, it frightening," she continued, "to think that after this moment, I'll never be able to hold you again...! I'm so terrified of letting go again!" she moaned painfully, "You and Kikyo-chan were so YOUNG when he—! ...it happened...! How can I leave you again?"
"Mother, how is it that you are here?" Kagome asked, closing her eyes in contentment.
"I'm here because you needed me, my darling Kagome..." she smiled, nuzzling against Kagome's ear. "Tell your sister that I love her, will you, Kagome-chan? Embrace her for me, too, if you will."
Kagome nodded, tears stinging the back of her eyes at this new, unexpected goodbye. "Of course, Mother...!" Desperately, Kagome turned and clung fiercely to her mother's robes. "Aishiteru matsudai!"
Her mother smiled, and embraced her more firmly. "Aishiteru matsudai, Kagome-chan."
Kagome could feel a cool breeze blow by her, and felt the warmth of her mother turn cold, but she kept her eyes shut tightly! It was only when she failed to continue feeling the fabric of her mother's robes between her clutching fingers did her eyes open.
Teary-eyed and grief-stricken, Kagome stood alone in the room, holding onto nothing but thin air.
It didn't take long for Kagome to realize that she WASN'T alone. A deep, angered voice filtered through the air and hit her ears menacingly. She tuned to the wall behind the throne, and watched as another man approached from the shadows. At his belt, he held a sword, sheathed in a very familiar scabbard. Dressed in dark green, he was wide and tall, and glared at her with disgusted eyes. "I sent YOU away!" he growled.
Kagome looked at him pathetically, eyes shimmering and a small smile peeking from her mouth. "I came to speak with you, Father."
--------------------------
Translations:
Aishiteru matsudai - I love you forever
Sorry about having to break up the chapter; I assure you, it's all chapter 14 (over 8700 words total). My notepad has a word capacity, so it wouldn't fit into a single file, so I had to break it up. But, still, this has been one REEEEAAAAALLLLY long chapter!!!!! I hope you enjoyed, and I'll get to work on the next soon, but it may take just as long as this one, if not a little longer, depending on my mood and everything, so I'll see you at chapter 15 everybody!! Yaaaay!!!!!
Don't forget to review, everyone!!!