Sorry, there are going to be a whole BUNCH of cliffies in a row! I've been saving them up just for you!

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 Sesshomeru, Miroku, Sango, Kaede, or any other Inuyasha characters. They are owned by their author/creator, Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter 16: Warning Council

Miroku knew he should be paying attention to Kaede's briefing, but he was staring across the table at Sango instead. She looked up from her notes and smiled at him, and Miroku felt a tingle of excitement. "What's wrong with me?" he thought angrily, "Kura disappeared the night before last, and I'm already falling for another girl?" Now Sango was chewing on the end of her pen, and Miroku had never found the habit so adorable.

The door opened and Kaede stopped, annoyed at being disturbed in the middle of a meeting. "This is a private-- Oh my God."

"Sorry I'm late," Kura quipped, but her voice was subdued. "I have some important informa--"

"Sanada Kura, where the hell have you been?" It was Kaede who said it, but it easily could have been any of the Tokyo Council Seniors. The national demon hunters looked at each other in confusion. Sango looked over at Miroku, who had turned to stone.

"I've come to warn you. The monster is a Nosferatu lord whose army is based in sector P. He has summoned four other lords and is planning a Gathering. We have to stop him."

Kaede was growing impatient. "What are you talking about? How do you know this?"

"The Nosferatu Lord told me just before crushing my ribs."

"Kura, slow down. Where have you been? Why didn't you call in? And what is this story about a Nosferatu lord?"

"That doesn't matter. What's important is that Naru is incredibly powerful, and he has summoned other powerful Nosferatu lords to a mystical ceremony that could make him exponentially more powerful. Council, and all of Tokyo, are in danger."

One of the national demon hunters spoke up. "That is why we are here, miss. Don't worry, we can handle this mystical ceremony or whatever. No need to fret."

Kura's voice remained calm and reasonable, although she was feeling the beginnings of panic. "With all due respect, sir, you don't know what you're talking about. He has an army of over fifty lower vampires, and likely Nosferatu as well. Se-- I mean, someone I talked to about the threat believes that lower demons will also join him, and warns that demons and vampires at all levels are making their way to Tokyo. Council can't eliminate the threat alone."

Kaede said sharply, "Council has always stood alone against the darkness."

"But it doesn't have to be that way this time. Someone has offered a temporary alliance in order to destroy the Nosferatu lords and their army before the Gathering occurs. Our potential ally is strong and knowledgeable about the enemy. He's our only chance . . ."

Suspicion was plain in Kaede's tone when she asked, "And who is this super hero?"

"The demon lord Sesshomeru."

Everyone was shouting at once, most questioning Kura's sanity or dismissing it as "too risky." Kura ignored them and focused on Kaede, who would make the actual decision to accept or reject Sesshomeru's offer. The old woman held up her hand for silence, and the other demon hunters quieted instantly.

"Tell me, child . . . Have you spoken with Sesshomeru-sama?"

"Yes. I . . . I was his prisoner, but he . . ."

"Sesshomeru-sama is an impressive man, isn't he?" Kaede mused as if speaking to herself. "He seems as if he is a merciless fiend, but he actually cares, hm?"

Kura was taken off-guard, but overjoyed that Kaede was going to agree. "Yes, Kaede-sama, you understand."

"Yes," Kaede agreed, but with an edge in her voice. "I understand perfectly. I know that Sesshomeru-sama can be very charming when he wants something. I also know that he is an expert at manipulation."

Kura clenched her fists, furious. "No, that's not it at all . . ."

"Don't be stupid, girl. Are your eyes hollow? The demon lord learned that Council was finally going to destroy him, so he told you some fairy tale about a Nosferatu lord and wanting to help us." Kaede glared at the young woman, who glared back. "The demon lord played you for a fool, Kura."

Kura flushed, humiliated. She couldn't look at her colleagues, especially not Miroku. What did they all think of her? Worse, there was a tiny, nagging doubt. Was Kaede right? Had Kura let herself be manipulated? "No. You're wrong. He was telling the truth, I know he was. If Council won't help, I'll go alone."

"Child, I can't let you jeopardize the mission. Katsura, Hanmi, stop her."

"No! Stay away from me!" The two guards grabbed Kura, and one of them accidentally bumped her ribs. Kura's scream of pain was interrupted by the sound of breaking glass. Sesshomeru's energy whip had sliced around the edges of a window's frame, and the demon now crouched in the gap in the wall, his battle-aura crackling and his eyes glowing like embers.