Hello, everyone! I'm so glad you're reading this story, as it is currently my favorite (and longest). Please send me a review!
I'd like to thank Kat Morning for the setting of my story, which is based on the alternate universe of her inu fanfic "Blood Ties."
Disclaimer: I do not own Miroku, Sesshomeru, Kaede, Sango, or any other Inuyasha characters. They are owned by their author/creator, Rumiko Takahashi.
Chapter 10: Council's Plan
"Out of the question.
"Why the hell not?" Miroku demanded.
"We cannot afford to send out a search party for every Council member who goes missing." Kaede, the Council head, was trying to be patient with the youngest and newest Senior. Meanwhile, his interruptions of the Council meeting's agenda was becoming intolerable.
"I'm not talking about every member. I'm talking about Kura. And Yumi. Why won't you let me lead a team to look for them?
Kaede tried reason, although she knew Miroku was barely listening. "First, we aren't sure Kura is actually missing. I know, I know," the older woman held up a hand to forestall Miroku's protest, "you said she was acting erratically after she heard of Yumi's disappearance. However, you haven't known her as long as some of us have. When she was still a rookie, one of the other rookies she was paired with was killed. Kura disappeared. She'd been on our list of presumed dead for eight days when she reappeared with no explanation of her absence. It is entirely likely she has taken another one of her Ôvacations' where she runs away from her problems.
"How dare you--
The Council head continued with determination. "Second, we do not know what we are up against. Until we find out, sector L is off-limits to all Council members; we can't afford to lose any more. Third, we haven't enough Seniors to patrol, much less go on a special search. Finally . . . Miroku, you are close to Kura.
Miroku hoped he wasn't blushing too much. "So?
As gently as possible, Kaede said, "If she has been turned, you cannot be trusted to accomplish your duty without endangering yourself and others.
Miroku felt as if he had just received two powerful punches in the gut. He didn't know which was worse: Kaede telling him he couldn't be trusted to perform his duty, or the thought that Kura might have become a vampire . . . that he might be forced to kill her.
Kaede saw an opening and took it. "Miroku, Yumi was my student. If I could do as I pleased, if I believed it would help her, I would be searching for her right now. But if we allow ourselves to be ruled by our emotions, more will die." Miroku slumped into his chair, defeated.
"Next order of business," Kaede spoke briskly, "I have reported to the regional Council, and they have promised to send us reinforcements. According to the regional Council, other cities are seeing a decrease in supernatural deaths. Within two weeks, we will have an army of demon hunters." Kaede paused, looked around the table at the other gray, exhausted faces. There wasn't a single Senior who didn't have a wrinkled brow, tense shoulders and bags under their eyes. At the good news, the eyes were starting to come alive again, smiles were starting to show, hope was revived within weary hearts.
She continued, "I propose a sweep through the city, concentrated around sector L. Search the slums, all abandoned buildings. Proceed west to the outskirts of Tokyo.
"But Kaede-sama! That's the taiyoukai's territory . . .
"Precisely, Saru. A cleaning sweep of this city is very overdue.
Council sat in incredulous silence. Each member was wondering, "Is it possible to overthrow Lord Sesshomeru?
"Regional will send us five squads, fifteen fighters each. Several are expert at fighting demons in particular. If there is any time to take down the Demon Lord, it is now." Kaede passed around photocopied packets. "The squads are profiled here. First squad led by Sango Himake. A team especially experienced fighting both bestial and humanoid demons. They do not have fighters practiced in fighting vampires; nor do they have any sorcerers." Kaede paused to consult her notes. "Saru, I have assigned you and Miroku to squad one. You both are accustomed to fighting vampires, and you know the area. Just remember, this fighting team is as close as a family unit. Don't get in their way. Turning the page, let us proceed to the second squad . . ."
I'd like to thank Kat Morning for the setting of my story, which is based on the alternate universe of her inu fanfic "Blood Ties."
Disclaimer: I do not own Miroku, Sesshomeru, Kaede, Sango, or any other Inuyasha characters. They are owned by their author/creator, Rumiko Takahashi.
Chapter 10: Council's Plan
"Out of the question.
"Why the hell not?" Miroku demanded.
"We cannot afford to send out a search party for every Council member who goes missing." Kaede, the Council head, was trying to be patient with the youngest and newest Senior. Meanwhile, his interruptions of the Council meeting's agenda was becoming intolerable.
"I'm not talking about every member. I'm talking about Kura. And Yumi. Why won't you let me lead a team to look for them?
Kaede tried reason, although she knew Miroku was barely listening. "First, we aren't sure Kura is actually missing. I know, I know," the older woman held up a hand to forestall Miroku's protest, "you said she was acting erratically after she heard of Yumi's disappearance. However, you haven't known her as long as some of us have. When she was still a rookie, one of the other rookies she was paired with was killed. Kura disappeared. She'd been on our list of presumed dead for eight days when she reappeared with no explanation of her absence. It is entirely likely she has taken another one of her Ôvacations' where she runs away from her problems.
"How dare you--
The Council head continued with determination. "Second, we do not know what we are up against. Until we find out, sector L is off-limits to all Council members; we can't afford to lose any more. Third, we haven't enough Seniors to patrol, much less go on a special search. Finally . . . Miroku, you are close to Kura.
Miroku hoped he wasn't blushing too much. "So?
As gently as possible, Kaede said, "If she has been turned, you cannot be trusted to accomplish your duty without endangering yourself and others.
Miroku felt as if he had just received two powerful punches in the gut. He didn't know which was worse: Kaede telling him he couldn't be trusted to perform his duty, or the thought that Kura might have become a vampire . . . that he might be forced to kill her.
Kaede saw an opening and took it. "Miroku, Yumi was my student. If I could do as I pleased, if I believed it would help her, I would be searching for her right now. But if we allow ourselves to be ruled by our emotions, more will die." Miroku slumped into his chair, defeated.
"Next order of business," Kaede spoke briskly, "I have reported to the regional Council, and they have promised to send us reinforcements. According to the regional Council, other cities are seeing a decrease in supernatural deaths. Within two weeks, we will have an army of demon hunters." Kaede paused, looked around the table at the other gray, exhausted faces. There wasn't a single Senior who didn't have a wrinkled brow, tense shoulders and bags under their eyes. At the good news, the eyes were starting to come alive again, smiles were starting to show, hope was revived within weary hearts.
She continued, "I propose a sweep through the city, concentrated around sector L. Search the slums, all abandoned buildings. Proceed west to the outskirts of Tokyo.
"But Kaede-sama! That's the taiyoukai's territory . . .
"Precisely, Saru. A cleaning sweep of this city is very overdue.
Council sat in incredulous silence. Each member was wondering, "Is it possible to overthrow Lord Sesshomeru?
"Regional will send us five squads, fifteen fighters each. Several are expert at fighting demons in particular. If there is any time to take down the Demon Lord, it is now." Kaede passed around photocopied packets. "The squads are profiled here. First squad led by Sango Himake. A team especially experienced fighting both bestial and humanoid demons. They do not have fighters practiced in fighting vampires; nor do they have any sorcerers." Kaede paused to consult her notes. "Saru, I have assigned you and Miroku to squad one. You both are accustomed to fighting vampires, and you know the area. Just remember, this fighting team is as close as a family unit. Don't get in their way. Turning the page, let us proceed to the second squad . . ."