AUTHOR'S NOTES: Sorry I was running a little late on this one, but it was a busy weekend, and when I sat down last night at ye olde computer, I didn't have a thought in my head about what to do next. After some sleep, food, and two volumes of Love Hina (funny where inspiration can strike; thank you, Kendo Girl), I finally got on a roll. Still, shorter chapter than usual, and I apologize for leaving you in the dark for one more week about Inuyasha and Kagome. Next chapter they'll get more "screen time."

Again, any historical mistakes are my own. I also had to pretty much guess on Ayame's character from her writeups on the 'net, so be sure to let me know if I didn't get her character right. Those who have read James Clavell's Shogun and have a real eye for detail will get where I got the ronin password. Finally, Arashikaze's battalion commander, Saruji Soryu, is indeed a forebear of a certain hotheaded Eva pilot. Foreshadowing? Nah.

REVIEWER'S CORNER:

Wooz: No reason to resort to violence!

Jschu25: Well, it is kind of hard to write a dead character into the story (as opposed to undead, like Kikyo). But I'm glad you didn't think the dream sequence was sappy.

Mizurazame/AlixMM: You got it!

Beboper: Thanks, as always!

Darkless Vasion: Thanks for the support on Naraku. Hopefully he will continue to be an Evil Bastard (TM, Gendo Ikari). It's funny, because I was sort of a Kikyo-hater; I wanted Kagome to throw a bucket of water on her. But damn, is she fun to write, because she's so unpredictable. She's on no one's side but her own. Her and Kagura would make natural allies (hmmm...).

Grimtash:Speechless? YOU? Great Mother Gaia...

MUSIC DEPARTMENT: I had the soundtrack for Patriot Games going this time. Ah, spooky and dark music, plus a little Clannad for good measure.

CHAPTER SIX: DEEDS DONE IN DARKNESS

"Skin against skin

Blood and bone

You're all by yourself

But you're not alone

You wanted in, now you're here

Driven by hate

Consumed by fear

Let the bodies hit the floor."

–Drowning Pool, "Bodies"

The moon had set and the sky in the east was just beginning to lighten, but it was actually darker without the light of the moon. Miroku was thankful of that; it would make their task that much easier.

It seemed simple enough, the plan that he, Sango, Kaede, and Kikyo had come up with in their hurried conference. The ronin, like most samurai, were clothed simply, with only the officers of Arashikaze's army with matching and complete armor. The regular soldiers, if they wore any at all, had mismatched armor scrounged from battlefields or bought from other ronin. Their swords and weapons were in perfect condition, which was sufficient.

Ronin were not the only people to scavenge from battlefields. Peasants did it as well, to defend against bandits. There was no central authority in the Sengoku Jidai: the various fiefdoms were laws unto themselves, if laws existed at all. While some villages–such as Sango's had been–were practically fortresses, Kaede's had never found the need to do the same. Still, there were enough swords and pieces of armor around that Miroku and Sango had been able to put together reasonable fascimiles of the ronin "uniforms." With the darkness to hide the worst of the flaws and Kikyo to give them legitimacy, Miroku and Sango would simply slip away into the darkness. Once clear of the ronin security screen, they could cast off the armor and use Kilala–safely hidden in her kitten form in the folds of Sango's kimono–to put plenty of distance between them and the village. Shippo had disguised himself as arrows, wedging himself into a quiver on Miroku's back. His staff was strapped to his back, the golden circle carefully wrapped so it looked like a longbow and so its rings would not jangle. In any sort of light, it would not fool anyone, but in the darkness it would likely pass. Sango had been forced to leave her hiraikotsu behind, buried underneath Kaede's hut.

Miroku looked at Kikyo's back. He did not like trusting a woman who, on several occasions, had shown herself distinctly untrustworthy. He knew he had struck a nerve with his comment about Inuyasha never forgiving Kikyo if she betrayed them, but true or not, he was not comfortable with trusting a woman whose body was made of clay and bones, and who depended on absorbing other souls to stay alive–or undead, depending on one's definition. To make matters worse for Miroku, Kikyo had purposely loosened her obi sash, parting her miko robes just enough to show she wore nothing beneath it. Clay and bones or not, Miroku could see why Inuyasha was attracted to her. Kikyo had felt that any sort of distraction would be helpful, to which Miroku had nodded, trying not to stare and earning a murderous glare from Sango. He felt a slight tap on his hip, and glanced at Sango. She tilted her conical kabuto helmet enough for him to see her face; the glare was back. Miroku merely smiled and nodded.

They had gone fifty paces past the hill of the shrine when there was a rattle of armor, the hiss of swords coming partially free of their scabbards, and a crisp order: "Halt." They did so immediately, Sango's hand going to the hilt of her own katana. Miroku put one hand on the hilt of his own borrowed sword, praying silently that he did not have to use it. There was little chance of cutting their way out of trouble, even if he was any good with a sword, which he was not. "Who goes there?"

"It's only us," Miroku said in a friendly, bantering tone, chancing that he was not speaking to an officer. "We're escorting the Lady Kikyo back to her shrine."

The voice was not friendly in return. "Password."

"'In the days of the Emperor Shirakawa, there lived a wise man called Enraku-ji,'" Miroku replied. He glanced at Kikyo, who was looking over her shoulder at him.

"'Who wrote the 31st sutra,'" the still-unseen ronin guardsman said, completing the password. The shadows noticeably relaxed. "You may pass."

"Good morning," Kikyo greeted the men as she passed, giving them a smile that would melt the coldest heart. "A pleasant and cool morning, neh?"

The ronin who had challenged them nodded, studiously looking at the ground in respect for Kikyo's station. A few of the other guardsmen were not as polite, and were less than stealthful in trying to sneak a peek. In any case, they were not looking at either Miroku or Sango.

Kikyo exchanged a brief spate of small talk and answered an inquiry about a wounded friend, and after a few minutes that seemed like hours to Miroku, they continued on their way. As soon as they rounded a bend in the trail, Kikyo's smile faded and she retied her robes. No one said anything for a long ten minutes, but they were not challenged, though two horsemen rode past at a distance, both riders returning Kikyo's friendly wave. They passed through a corner of the forest, and then stepped out of the trees. Before them stretched an expanse of rice paddies to the foothills of the mountains.

"We should be through the ronin," Kikyo told them. "You have not told me where you are going."

"We feel it is best not to," Sango said, "in case Naraku should interrogate you."

Kikyo's smile returned, but it was a cold one. "You mean, in case I should betray you. Very well, taijya, keep your secret. Perhaps it is indeed for the best. After all, it is said that secrets are best whispered alone down a well at noon." She pointed. "Go now. I will tell the other guards that I sent you back to your duties."

Miroku bowed deeply to her. "Thank you, Lady Kikyo." Sango hesitated, then did the same.

Kikyo was taken aback at the sudden honor, which of course required her to reciprocate. She bowed back, though not as low. "May the gods watch over you," she said formally. She watched them leave for a few moments. "You'll need them to," she said quietly, sadly, "because I do not need you alive as much as I need my sister and Inuyasha."

"The morning watch found them like this, Lord Arashikaze." The officer gestured to the bloodsoaked ground.

Takashi Arashikaze, without his armor but naturally armed, walked over and inspected the bodies of what had been five men guarding the southwest flank. They had been chopped to pieces. Limbs, heads, and pieces of bodies were strewn about the clearing, torn apart by some incredible force. Behind Arashikaze stood Naraku, hidden behind his baboon pelt, and Arashikaze's two senior officers, Kentaro Ishikawa and Saruji Soryu. Arashikaze looked at the closest remains, then turned to the three men. "What do you make of it?"

Naraku walked over, seeming to glide over the ground. "It was done quickly, Lord Arashikaze. Five men, killed so quickly they had not the time to shout. The wounds would suggest a sword–a large one." The skull mask turned to face the ronin lord. "The hanyou Inuyasha carries such a sword. It is called Tetsusaiga."

"Mm. Ishikawa-san?"

Ishikawa also walked over, bending down to inspect the body more closely. Ishikawa was an older man, going gray, Arashikaze's most trusted advisor and second-in-command. He had been fighting for nearly forty years, and while not a particularly skilled swordsman or tactician, he was a brilliant organizer with a good deal of common sense. "I agree with Lord Naraku. This was done quickly and well. These men did not even have time to draw their weapons. However, I'm not so sure it was the hanyou."

"It could be the villagers, especially if the houshi and the taijya are still among them," Soryu said. "They fought exceptionally well in the forest. A failed escape attempt–or perhaps a successful one, if we do not find them."

"Possibly," Arashikaze replied guardedly. Soryu was one of his battle commanders–a fine officer and leader, with quite a grasp of tactics for a man barely out of his teens. Arashikaze had served with his father and, after that father died, had taken the young, impetuous thirteen year old under his wing. While Soryu had matured into a superb swordsman, he was still impulsive and all too ready to look for a fight. He had not been happy with Arashikaze's decision to spare the village–three of the men killed by Ayane's arrows had been from his battalion.

"So sorry, Soryu-san, but I disagree." Ishikawa pointed to the wounds. "The taijya carries a hiraikotsu–it kills by impact, like a mace. The houshi uses a staff, and unless we have come upon a particularly bloodthirsty village, the peasants could not have killed a man like this."

"Then it was Inuyasha," Naraku said.

"I would agree, Lord Naraku, but this cuts are too clean for a sword."

"The Tetsusaiga is rumored to be magical," Naraku countered.

"It was not Inuyasha." All three men turned to Arashikaze. "I too have heard tales of Inuyasha Who Seeks the Shikon no Tama. Peasant tall-tales, though certainly I believe that Inuyasha is a demon of some sort."

Ishikawa nodded. "We have seen many of them as of late, my lord."

"Yes." Arashikaze toed the body. "These men were killed quickly, yes, but moreover they were slain silently. From what I have heard about this Inuyasha, he is not the silent type. If he wanted revenge for his dead consort, he would have charged in screaming, and not stopped until he was dead or we were. Naraku-san, Inuyasha has a brother–the legendary Sesshoumaru, neh?"

"Yes, though I believe they are half-brothers." Behind his mask, Naraku was seething. This was not going the way he had intended.

"This would be more his style. However, I believe I have heard that the brothers despise each other, and had the youkai lord of the Western Lands came here, I imagine we would all be dead–if the tales are true." Arashikaze shook his head. "But I believe in peasant tales only to a point." He pointed at Soryu. "Search the village–thoroughly. If you find the houshi or the taijya, bring them to me. Confiscate all weapons you find, even farming tools that have been sharpened. Search the shrine as well. Take all the time you need."

"Yes, my lord." Soryu turned to leave, but Arashikaze stopped him with an upraised hand. "Show respect, Soryu-san. Remember that this is still a village protected by a shrine. No reason to anger any kami–or any miko, wakarimasu ka? Do you understand?"

"Yes, Lord Arashikaze." Soryu bowed. "Am I dismissed?"

"Yes. Go."

"I should go with him. I also believe in peasant tales, to a point." Naraku bowed as well to Arashikaze. "By your leave, my lord."

Arashikaze returned the bow. "By all means, Lord Naraku." He turned to the officer who had brought them to the bodies. "Have the bodies washed and prepared–have Lady Kikyo assist you." The officer bowed and ran off, leaving Ishikawa and Arashikaze alone. Neither man spoke for a few moments.

"What's on your mind, Kentaro-san?" Arashikaze asked.

"I think Lord Naraku is lying, Takashi-san." When they were alone, Ishikawa addressed his commander by his first name; they had been through too much for that. "He seemed too eager to pin this on Inuyasha."

"Do you have another explanation?"

"No, Takashi-san. Only that I went for a walk last night to inspect the guard. Lord Naraku was up, and walking with a young woman." He smiled. "Of course, Lord Naraku is a man, so I suspected she was his consort. She was rather attractive, with an exquisite kimono and even a fan. High-class, but to be expected for the bedwarmer of an advisor to Lord Hitomi."

Arashikaze knew that Ishikawa was building up to something. "And yet..."

"Takashi-san, her fan had blood on it. It could have been a trick of the light, or a strange design, yes, but I suspect otherwise." He motioned at the bodies. "Magical sword or not, those cuts are too clean. And that monster by the well is no human. I fear Lord Naraku is allied with youkai himself."

"I agree." Arashikaze's mouth was set in a straight line. "I fear Lord Naraku is a youkai, my friend." He began walking back towards the camp. "When she is done helping prepare the bodies for cremation, send for the Lady Kikyo. I believe we have plenty to discuss."

While Soryu organized his unit, Naraku had excused himself and walked into the woods. Kagura waited for him there. "They discovered the bodies, my lord?" Kagura asked rhetorically.

"Yes. Unfortunately, Arashikaze did not take the bait."

"Did I fail?"

To Kagura's surprise, Naraku smiled. "No, Kagura. You did all that was asked of you. We will simply have to kill more of them tonight." He pointed to the distant figure of Saruji Soryu, who was putting on his armor with the help of his retainers. "Make sure they are from that one's unit. And make sure they scream."

Kagura nodded. "Of course. Will there be anything else?"

"Yes. Pick a few villagers and kill them. Animate their bodies. I want my Lord Soryu to see his men die." He began walking away. "Oh, and be discreet, Kagura. It wouldn't do for you to be discovered. I might have to pass you off as my consort."

It took every ounce of Kagura's self-control not to show the revulsion on her face, even as it burned with rage, because she knew that Naraku had thrown out that precisely to have that effect. She bowed as he walked away, then retreated further into the gloom of the forest. She smiled as well, with as much humor as Naraku had–because she had seen Kikyo watching as two ill-dressed samurai had scampered off into the night. A human might be fooled in the dark, but Kagura had fought Miroku the houshi and Sango the taijya too many times to not recognize them.

It would be up to Kagura, not Naraku, how best to use that piece of information.

There are few things worse than being shaken awake when one has been up most of the night. One of those things would be to be the one who has to awaken the person in question, especially if said person happens to be an ill-tempered chief of a youkai wolf tribe.

"I'm not doing it," Ginta said, hands up in front of him and vehemently shaking his head. "Besides, Hakkaku, you owe me one."

"Well...yes...but..." Hakkaku stammered. "But Ginta, he nearly took my head off last time! You know how he is in the morning, but he's had barely three hours of sleep!"

"That's not my fault," Ginta shrugged. "Go on, I'll back you up–it's pretty important, after all–"

"Gods, you two are pathetic!" The two wolf youkai turned and saw Ayame running towards them, her red hair streaming behind her. "I'll wake him up. He is my mate, after all." Both men stood aside as she flung aside the skins and marched full steam into the wolf chief's section of his tribe's den. Neither Ginta nor Hakkaku felt like arguing that the only person who claimed Ayame and Kouga were mated was Ayame herself.

There was some murmuring they could not make out, then silence. Without warning, there was a thump of a bare foot into someone's ribs. "GET UP!" Ayame shouted. This was instantly followed with snarls, more thumps, and general growls of imminent homicide. Ginta and Hakkaku quickly stood aside as Ayame quickly retreated back through the skins, closely followed by her extremely irate pack leader.

"What the hell was that for?" Kouga shouted. "I ought to split your damn skull, wench!"

"I tried being nice, but you told me to piss off!" Ayame stood her ground, refusing to show throat.

"I was also guarding the fucking den all night, in case you didn't notice–"

"Guarding? More like pining away for your lost love, you skirt-smitten–"

Ginta did not like where this was going, so he raised a finger. "Um, Lord Kouga, sir, there's–"

Kouga whirled on Ginta, who instantly shrank back. "You stay out of this, idiot! You're supposed to be making sure no one comes in while I'm trying to get some sleep! And certainly not her!"

"B-but..." Ginta looked to Hakkaku for assistance, but the other wolf youkai was suddenly finding something on the ceiling to be very interesting.

"Quit babbling!"

"Lord Kouga!" One of the other wolves called out from the front of the den. "Cat youkai on the north ridge! It looks like Inuyasha's bunch!"

"WHAT?!" Kouga grabbed a double handful of Ginta's furry vest. "Why didn't you say so, stupid?" He dropped Ginta before the other could reply. "If that mutt's here, then Kagome is too!" With that, Kouga was gone for the entrance in a blur of speed; Ayame got out of the way before she was run over.

Hakkaku helped Ginta up. "You tried," he said by way of comfort. "He's just grumpy."

"And a fat lot of help you were, Hakkaku!" He stepped back as Ayame stomped back into Kouga's den. "H-Hey, Ayame–awh, no, don't kick dirt on his bed! He's going to be so angry..."

"Not as angry as he's going to be when he finds out we didn't see Kagome or Inuyasha with the two humans," Hakkaku sighed.