Chapter 7: Deception
"Blood," said Sesshoumaru.
"What?" asked Kagome, looking around.
His senses were always accurate. There was blood, somewhere. The next minute Inuyasha came running over. "Sesshoumaru, there's blood!"
"I know that, you imbecile. And Naraku too is nearby – I'd smell his scent any day."
"What's he doing here?" asked Inuyasha.
"Probably planning a sneak attack," said Sesshoumaru. Most likely Naraku had somehow gotten wind of Jaken's recruit project, and decided it was the perfect opportunity to launch the offensive.
"If they sneak attack, where would they come from?" Inuyasha wanted to know.
His brother surveyed the location quickly. "The river," said Sesshoumaru. "They will float down the river, their heads covered, while it is barely dawn and we have trouble seeing them."
"How can you be sure?" Kagome asked. "Not that I'm doubted your honourable expertise or anything," she added hastily, not wanting to piss of their one chance of survival in light of Naraku's coming attack.
"Naraku is predictable. He has used this method of attack on no fewer than seven occasions." Sesshoumaru looked condescending. "We send a few people up to the riverfront – they will be trying to get out of the water, and are most vulnerable then. Remember, in ambush attacks, they plan to take us by surprise, so they won't be planning much for their own defence."
"Right. You guys make your way there, I'll go get Miroku," said Sango.
"Now!" Naraku barked in a voice barely louder than a whisper.
As quietly as they could, Naraku's minions waded down the riverbank into the water. He himself would watch from the other side of the river.
The closer his men got, the more he felt a nasty feeling.
His men were nearing…
The camp was too quiet, too quiet…
In sneak attacks, the sentry posted would spot the invaders too late, and raised the outcry. Then, pandemonium would ensue, with men rushing for weapons and commanders trying to rouse from sleep and everyone yelling.
But his men were too close, too close. Surely a sentry, however incompetent, would have spotted them.
Unless there was no sentry. Unless the sentry had been removed for his safety. When would mean that Naraku's surprise attack was no longer a surprise.
"Shit!" cursed Naraku. If he ever found which one of his men betrayed him… The situation was getting dangerous. Naraku would have to flee.
He turned towards the forested area when a cool voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Going somewhere?"
Naraku froze. "Lord Sesshoumaru. I was just strolling by the area," he said with a sugary smile, turning around.
"So was I," said Sesshoumaru.
"Coincidental, no?" yelled Inuyasha. "Take that, you damned Naraku!" He brought Tetsusaiga down to the ground, a gold light erupting from it. "It's for you idiots that I reserve kaze no kizu for!"
"Pathetic wound of the wind," snorted Naraku. "You think that would kill me?"
"This would," Kagome said from behind him. Saying so, she drew her sword across his body, slicing it into two.
It disappeared in a puff of smoke. On the ground lay a tiny wooden man, split into two.
"A puppet – that coward!" said Inuyasha, adding a string of curses under his breath.
"Come on, we'll see how Miroku's side is doing," Kagome said.
So the monsters had come floating up the riverbank, just like Sesshoumaru had predicted.
It hadn't been a very big army. It held no more than five people, Naraku included. But they had looked like one of them could hold off ten humans.
Had, that was.
Naraku had been no match for them, Kagome mused. Sure, his monsters had been horrible little creations. But with Tetsusaiga, Tensaiga, Hiraikotsu, Kazaana and Kagome's own swords… Well, the minions didn't really get a chance. They were all slaughtered – save for Naraku. Quoting Inuyasha, that 'slimy bastard Naraku' had sent a puppet Naraku, which Inuyasha chopped up for firewood.
That all seemed to happen ages ago.
The point of the matter was, it was storming, it was wet, and it was cold. And of all the things in the world she could be doing, Kagome found herself following a pair of sour dog brothers through a tangled forest.
"I think we've scared Naraku off," Inuyasha had bragged triumphantly.
"Excellent," Sesshoumaru had said. "Then we'll embark on a little journey."
"But, Sesshoumaru-sama, what about the camp -" Jaken had squeaked.
"Hojou can look after the recruits," Sesshoumaru had interrupted.
Now that Kagome came to think of it, they made a sorry travelling party.
The hanyou was furious and he showed it.
The taiyoukai was bored stiff and he showed it.
Miroku was terrified of rain, and carried an umbrella to show it.
Sango was blushing strawberry red, and kept her distance from the houshi to show it.
"So where are we going again?" Kagome asked Miroku in a desperate attempt to break the patter-splash-drip-patter of the rain.
"Not sure," he said. "Inuyasha, where are we going?"
"Kyoto," said Sesshoumaru matter-of-factly.
"On foot?" shrieked Sango. The rain drowned out her high pitch.
"On foot?" echoed Kagome.
"But surely you can stand a little rain?"
He was mocking her, Kagome could swear. That damned Sesshoumaru was mocking her. He could talk – the raindrops didn't seem touch him and he was perfectly dry.
"The next village will have horses, Sesshoumaru, let's borrow a few," said Inuyasha.
At least somebody was nice, huffed Kagome mentally.
From in front, Inuyasha made a mental note to ask that Higurashi Kei if he had sisters. The man seemed so... well, Inuyasha was sure if Kei had sisters, he'd make sure he courted one of them. And the more Inuyasha thought about it, the more feminine Kei looked – he could almost picture him as a girl…
"Stop it, Inuyasha, you're turning into Jakotsu!" snapped Inuyasha under his breath to himself. Jakotsu was a guard that served the Higurashi household – he was loyal and brave, but he also preferred the company of men to women.
Sesshoumaru heard Inuyasha – and almost smiled. Almost. Though he had to agree; Kagome's looks were worthy of her status. And seeing as he was the only one who knew she was a girl… Well, Sesshoumaru would have the pleasure of teasing Inuyasha to hell about it.
"Day dreaming about a certain recruit?" Sesshoumaru asked.
Bastard, Inuyasha cursed silently. He's doing a terrible job of feigning innocence.
"Of course not," Inuyasha said quickly.
"How fortunate for you. I would not have tolerated a Jakotsu in my house."
"There's a village!" cried Miroku in thankfulness, saving Inuyasha from having to retort.
"Maybe this isn't a good idea," Sango whispered to Kagome.
Kagome stifled a giggle. Sango had never been one for horses. When they had been running from Kyoto it had been a different story, but given the choice, she stayed far away from all steeds. "You can ride with me, if you must."
Miroku choose the opportune moment to voice his thoughts. "Don't you just love galloping top-speed?"
They trudged on towards the town.
"We need horses," announced Inuyasha at the nearest stable.
"We're closed for the night," grumbled a man from inside.
"I'll give you two seconds to convince that man inside, Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru said.
"No problem," said Inuyasha, his fangs peeking through his lips as he grinned. The door slammed shut behind him as he disappeared inside.
A crash rocketed through the walls. The tiny house in front of the stables shook so much it seemed ready to just collapse.
The door opened. A thin man came out, several of his teeth brown or missing.
"The h..horses… are… a..at the b..ba...back…" he whispered.
Sesshoumaru swept past him and Inuyasha stalked off after his brother. The rest gave bows of apology to the man before hurrying off after them.
Inuyasha had already led out a beautiful tanned horse.
"Do we have a choice?" Miroku muttered to Kagome.
"I guess not," she said, stroking a bay foal on the nose.
Something tiny screeched and scuttled out from beneath their feet. Kagome stiffened involuntarily – rats were not her favourite creatures.
It ran towards Sango, who picked it up.
"Is this the cutest -" she began. "I mean, yes, it's… um… interesting."
"A two-tailed cat? Those are rare!" Kagome said.
The cat hopped from Sango's arms onto the ground, and scratched at the dirt with its claws.
"Ki… ra… ra… Kirara?" said Sango.
It mewed and rubbed its cheek against her leg.
"Oh well, I suppose we should be going," sighed Sango.
As if the cat sensed her reluctance to touch the horses, it took a few steps back. In a matter of seconds, it had changed into a giant fire-cat.
"That's your horse, then," Miroku said wryly.
One failed attack did not mean the battle was lost. Naraku could – would – get even with those who opposed him.
Deep down, he knew that if neither Taisho nor Higurashi helped him, he would never become king. Which was why he now forced himself to swallow his pride, paying a visit to the current Lady Higurashi.
"What an honour, to have such a guest like the great Shogun himself come!" exclaimed a lavishly-dressed woman as she entered the room.
"Indeed." Typically, Naraku would be obliged to apologize for dropping in unannounced, and then he'd make small talk about the weather or some other useless boring topic. But today was different.
"Lady Higurashi, I have come on a matter of great importance," Naraku said, putting on a serious face. "You may have heard about the current dilemma over who will become the new Emperor. It is apparent that Lord Sesshoumaru intends to seize the throne. He has said, many times, that when he does do so, he will strip you of your rank and riches."
"Now, why would he do that?" laughed the woman, but Naraku could see the fear in her eyes, and was pleased.
"Because he is very particular about honour." Naraku looked solemn. "Forgive me for saying so, but ever since you moved into the Higurashi household you haven't been very honourable. You gave your baby stepson away. For years you terrorized the servants and staff. And just recently, you sold your own stepdaughter. For what? A hundred pieces of gold? Are you really so poor you need a hundred pieces of gold at the expense of a daughter?"
He could tell his words were having an effect on Lady Higurashi from the way her eyes darted wildly from the table to the door to her lap. "So, Lord Sesshoumaru thinks this is dishonourable," continued Naraku. "And he takes it upon himself to 'fix the problem'. There are rumours that your stepson if alive and possibly planning a revolt. If so, he will definitely have the support of the Western Lands."
She looked genuinely terrified now. Naraku smiled invisibly – ladies were so easy to convince.
"What do I do?" Lady Higurashi asked, her normally hard voice trembling.
"You must help me take the throne. When I become the emperor, I will make sure you are safe. But I need the backing of a powerful clan such as yours, as there is certain to be opposition coming from Sesshoumaru's side."
"Yes, yes," she said. "But that if Lord Sesshoumaru attacked us, how would be defend ourselves?"
Stupid, weak human woman. Naraku resisted smacking her. "You won't be under attack if you simply right your wrongs," Naraku said. "You must go to the geisha house you sold the younger Lady Higurashi to, and demand her back. It will certainly appease most of your dissenters."
"But didn't they say Kagome's run away?" said Lady Higurashi, wringing her hands.
Naraku frowned. He hadn't thought of that. Then he remembered Kikyou, and smiled nastily. "Don't worry about that. In that same geisha house, there is a woman who is the spitting image of your stepdaughter. If you take her in, nobody will know the difference."
"Ok, so I still don't understand why we're going to Kyoto," Kagome said. Then again, it was a testament to the Lord of the Western Lands that he had managed to order them to the capital without any one even questioning it.
"Your guess is as good as mine," muttered Inuyasha, who was busy concentrating on his horse's reins.
"Hey, Inuyasha. Never galloped on horses before?" teased Miroku.
"What? Of course!" said Inuyasha, though his flushed face spoke otherwise.
Kagome winked at Miroku. "I just love the wind rushing past me. But you know, it can be very, very dangerous to go faster than a fast trot. My uncle was killed when his horse threw him off. His head got ripped right off."
"Exactly," grinned Miroku. "Especially when we are riding on paths like this one – bumpy, with trees and branches hanging out, ready to strangle us."
Inuyasha quickly slowed his horse to a trot. "I like this pace," he said loudly.
Sesshoumaru appeared right next to him, floating on his magic cloud. "If you don't hurry up, I am making sure your horse rears and throws you off."
"Damn it, you. Why do you have to throw your weight around?" demanded Inuyasha, setting his horse off on a gallop again.
"Wish I could fly," whispered Miroku to Kagome.
"Yeah. And also threaten Inuyasha so much that he follows my orders every time," sighed Kagome. Then she kicked herself. Like she would ever want to be the Lord of the Western Lands.
Several hours later they were installed in the heart of Kyoto, in one of Sesshoumaru's numerous rooms at the Emperor's palace.
"If I hear that even one of you put a foot outside this door, I will personally castrate that person," said Sesshoumaru, gazing particularly at Inuyasha.
"And if I do?" asked Kagome saucily.
He shot her a look of contempt and marched out the door.
"We're supposed to stay in this room?" asked Sango, annoyed.
"Hey, it's a palace. What more could you want?" Miroku said, already looking for any princesses that might be wandering about.
"Well, Sesshoumaru obviously has more than one room to his disposal. He could allow us some private space," Sango said. Sure, she and Kagome were disguised as men, but for her peace of mind she preferred to sleep away from the priest.
"Oh, just be quiet. I'm so sleepy…" yawned Kagome.
"Me too," agreed Inuyasha. He hadn't slept in ages – first, he had been playing chess with Miroku; then Sesshoumaru appeared and Naraku decided to attack. And then Sesshoumaru got the bright idea to drag them off to Kyoto, riding non-stop.
"So stop talking and start sleeping," Kagome said, curling up on the tatami floor.
She was flying, rushing through the air.
She stopped. Now she was floating.
"I will drop you if you don't wake up," said someone.
"Arrogant taiyoukai!" shrieked Kagome, before a hand clamped over her mouth.
"I carried you out so the others wouldn't wake up," he said. "It would defeat the purpose if you woke them up with your screaming."
She looked around. "Another of your rooms?"
"Dressing room," he said, pushing her behind a screen. "You'll be a girl today." He slung clothes over the top.
"Are we going somewhere?" asked Kagome, snatching the clothes down. It wasn't like she was an obedient little girl. But she would snatch at the chance of getting out of her samurai uniform.
"Yes," he answered.
"Where?"
"Many places. But first, there is good news and bad news."
"Not that again," complained Kagome. "I hate good news, bad news games. I never know which one I want to hear first."
Sesshoumaru paid her no attention. "Well, Naraku is going to lose the throne."
Kagome nearly suffocated herself the yukata she was tying. "How do you know?"
"I have sources." Sesshoumaru had heard about Naraku approaching Lady Higurashi about working with him, and he had to say this was Naraku's most foolhardy decision yet. The woman knew nothing about politics except perhaps the price of kimono silk.
"And the bad news?" asked Kagome.
"You have an imposter." Sesshoumaru had also heard that a certain geisha now resided in the Higurashi residence as the lord's daughter, Kagome Higurashi. "For that we will visit your stepmother."
"Hell yes. Let's go," Kagome said, stepping out in a fresh kimono. Imposter? Had to be Kikyou, who else looked like her? And who else would be stupid enough?
"If anyone asks, you're my servant," warned Sesshoumaru. It would not do to inform anyone that Kagome Higurashi, real version, was walking around Kyoto at the moment.
Kagome swore he was getting a kick out of having her pose as his servant.
"So why is Kikyou pretending to be me?" asked Kagome as they stepped out of the side gate of the palace.
"Naraku's plan to usurp the throne now involves getting the help of your clan. To do so, he has convinced your stepmother she will never be safe unless he becomes emperor."
Kagome stared at Sesshoumaru in confusion.
"Your stepmother has now welcomed you back into your home to try and regain credit in the eyes of the other nobles. And with her newfound credit she will back Naraku."
Her face fell. "That's bad news, then."
She would have to oust her stepmother and Kikyou from her own house now. Kagome felt a burst anger begin to well up in her.
Somehow, she would have to tell Miroku who he was, and soon.