Once In A Blue Moon

An Inuyasha Fanfic By Hika-chan
Chapter 16: Calms Before the Storm

Sesshoumaru was finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate. Curled up peacefully by his side Kagome slept, but in her sleep she kept nuzzling and petting his tail sending shivers up his spine. It wasn't an entirely unpleasant feeling and it was by no means repulsive. Given the current situation however, it was an unneeded distraction. First of all he could do nothing about it, save for waking up the miko and given all that had happened to her in the past day she deserved her rest.

Then there was the matter of all these scrolls he had to go through, he wanted to get as much work done as he could since he had no idea when his usurper would come around ready to "talk" out this matter. Unfortunate as it was Sesshoumaru himself (nor Yuki for that matter) could not just up and attack him, especially in the palace, without cause.

He spared a glance at the sleeping school girl, a light smile decorating his face. Putting one of his scrolls down, he reached over and gently moved some hair from her face. Gently running his hands through her hair he watched her sleep. Perhaps he could take a short break after all.

Youtei gripped the talisman in her hand; waiting quietly in the clearing for the youkai she was meeting to appear. Well perhaps "appear" was too strong a word. After all the hawk herself had never really seen Kagemen, even with her sharp vision she had never seen enough of the doppelganger youkai to even make out his type… Assuming he even was a he. And that was assuming Kagemen ever met her in his true form. Kagemen was a very secretive youkai, even when it came to sharing information with Kuroinu. Kagemen took his mission and never tells anyone, even his allies how he intends to go about it. He simply gives a method of summoning or contacting him and returns when the job is done.

The hawk sighed, every time Kuroinu used the shadow she had served as the contact. And no matter how many times she met with him she was always on edge. There was just something eerie, even to a youkai, about someone you could never see, who you couldn't quite smell, who you didn't know what they looked like, always playing on the edge of your vision, and that you knew nothing about. And worse yet-

"Hello again Youtei."

-She could never sense him coming. The hawk resisted the urge to jump at the distorted voice that echoed around her. Even though she could not pinpoint his location by sound, her sight was at least well enough that she could spot him. "Hello Kagemen," she responded flatly.

"Is it time for something to happen?"

"Of course," she answered curtly, wanting to get this meeting over and done with.

"Now, now, no need to be snippy. Afterall," Kagemen emerged from the shadows looking exactly like the hawk before him. "-We're like sisters you and I."

Youtei rolled her eyes and handed him the letter, "The plans for tomorrow, Kuroinu-sama assumes you can handle everything."

Kagemen perused the marks of ink on white before replying. "That I can," Kagemen smiled, eerily like Youtei's own. "It pleases me to know the Kuroinu-sama has such faith in me," s/he crooned with devotion

Youtei all but snarled at the mocking inflection the shadow gave to her image. "Just do your job Kagemen, and make whatever changes you deem necessary for all to be ready on time."

"It seems Kuroinu-sama has finally lost his patience," the double said folding the paper back up. Kuroinu always tended to get a little reckless when things didn't go his way on the first shot. "No changes should be needed, Yuki-dono is gone, but Hikaru's brother has arrived, as hanyou I see no need to change the previous arrangements."

"Be aware Kagemen, this group is often full of surprises, even the humans. Do not underestimate them."

"I am aware of that Youtei, and I will not. Now," Her mirror grinned, skin blackening and shape changing into that of her lord, "Is there anything you want to do before you leave?" he asked suggestively.

Youtei stepped back defensively out of disgust, "No. Our business is concluded and now I must return to the castle before I am missed."

"Yes, please hurry back," Kagemen mocked in a voice of all sincerity, "You are already missed Youtei…" He moved up pulling Youtei against him, "by me."

"Remove your hands doppelganger or else-"

"Or else I'll loose them? Come now, I'm sure you can come up with something better than that." Kuroinu's eyes looked at her passionately as he brought a hand up to her face, "I can think of many better things to do with them myself, and none of them involve amputation... Removal of other things perhaps."

The hawk could almost feel herself giving in to believing that this was her beloved master before she shoved the youkai back. She heard Kuroinu's voice laughing at her as she took off into the air. "What's wrong little bird? Want something you can never have?" he called after her. He sighed as she started to fade off into the lightening sky, eyes pitying and almost sympathetic,

"There is nothing sadder then a puppet who refuses to see her own strings." Oh well, the shadow thought, form shifting again, I had best get back before I am missed as well.

The laughter did not sit well with Youtei.

Nor did it make Yuki any happier, she remembered a laugh much like that from her own past. That she had come across by chance; it had saved her from making one of the biggest mistakes of her life. It had also broken her heart. If the hawk lived she saw a similar fate in store for her. Would the hawk react the same way she did? Would she run? Or would Sesshoumaru see to the traitors death before the truth was revealed to her.

The white youkai shook her head, dispelling the thoughts and focusing again upon her work. Then Yuki cursed, she really had to become more powerful at scrying, if she had been she would have been able to see right through to Kagemen's true form, or at least be able to follow him. She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, at least she got a good enough look at the contents of the letter to know what was happening. Things would be coming to a head much sooner than she had expected.
She waved her hand, dispelling the magic, Youtei was returning to the palace now, there was little need to watch the rest of that trip. She sat down and leaned back into a large cushion. She hated it when things got this serious, she enjoyed the mask that she was becoming, and she hated removing it. No, it wasn't a mask, it was just another part of her. A part of her she loved that was no good in these situations, so it had to be put aside. She liked being care-free and nosy, and she enjoyed the reactions of other's to her own actions. She stared at the palm of one of her hands, idly tracing the lines with one of her claws, tickling her skin slightly. But for now she would have to be the daughter of Inutaisho.

Could she do that again?

She had been her mother's daughter for so long, indulging herself in so many magics and cultures that some were blended into her life in many ways. But now she had taken up the mantle of responsibility again. She told Sesshoumaru that she and only she would defend the throne until his ascension, at least from Kuroinu. Perhaps both she and her mother cared little for societal rules and bonds (of course her mother had not been not quite so far out there as herself), but when one said something, made a promise or gave their word one had to see it through.

Yuki had accepted part of her role as the daughter of Inutaisho.

She said she would protect the throne from this particular usurper.

And so I will.

Kuroinu looked out his window, thinking through the events of the day to come. He had already selected a place to meet Sesshoumaru. It had to be somewhere a good enough distance away from the castle that no one else would be able to notice and interfere (especially since they would likely aid the future lord rather than himself), but not so far as that it would take too long to get to. There was a ravine on the other side of the mountain, not a far distance for youkai that could fly, but not a common travel route either, that he had surveyed not long before and deemed worthy of his setup.

He had little doubt that Sesshoumaru would suspect something of him. After what had happened before he knew Sesshoumaru would never trust him. Sesshoumaru had to have known more details then everyone else. All anyone else really knew was that Yuki had refused the sovereignty of the western lands, and then she left Japan. Oh well, to build a castle you have to cut down a few trees. And to take dominion over the western lands he'd have a kill a few heirs.

Inuyasha had finally given up trying to sleep when he noticed the sunlight streaming in through his window. Being back in the palace was just too weird, being in a big room like this all to himself; he almost felt like he was grounded and it was driving him nuts. The hanyou felt like he shouldn't let others know he was here, and more than that he didn't feel he should be too far away from Kagome either, who was likely asleep in her own room next door. Then there was the fact that he had no idea what was going on. Someone had kidnapped Kagome, Sango and Hikaru but why? Yuki knew who and why and he was positive she had told Sesshoumaru. Suddenly he felt like the little brother that got left behind because he was too small to play big-kid games…

Or too human to play youkai ones.

He growled slightly to himself. He hated being here, it kept bringing up uncomfortable memories. Finally too frustrated to sit still he got up and decided to go for a walk. Yuki and Sesshoumaru can protect Kagome while I'm gone. He convinced himself, stopping by each of his siblings doors and giving a slight sniff to ensure they were inside before being off on his way. But he noticed Kagome's scent in Sesshoumaru's room as well, resisting the urge to bust in demanding anything he stormed off down
the hallway suddenly wishing for his winged sparring partner.

His eyes narrowed slightly at the knock on his door, he reluctantly removed his arm from it's resting place across Kagome's collar, "Come in," he replied careful not to speak too loudly.

"Sesshou-" Yuki paused a moment when she saw the sleeping miko on the floor beside her brother, head rested against his leg.

"One word and I'll tear out your eyes," her younger brother responded without looking up from his scroll.

"Oh no need to threaten, I was just wondering how long it took your leg to fall asleep," she grinned, but her voice was low enough as to not wake the miko.

He turned his golden gaze upon her, eyes narrowed slightly, "What do you want Yuki?"

"Well I just thought I'd let you know I eavesdropped on a little bird earlier and it looks as though this will be over tonight."

Sesshoumaru raised a brow at her as if to say "oh really?"

"But… I don't think it will come easy, for us or your home. I was thinking of sending Makumba to warn and prepare for a possible attack. I believe they're preparing an ultimatum."

Sesshoumaru held his sister's gaze for a moment, "Earlier today did you not warn me against trusting her?"

Yuki shrugged, "Well if she doesn't tell them and they're caught off guard then we know she's a traitor."

"I would rather not test it that way," Sesshoumaru said flatly.

Yuki waved a hand at her brother dismissively, "Oh don't worry so much Sesshou, I'll send a message ahead magically to someone, if she arrives and doesn't say anything then we know and they will still be able to prepare."

The youkai pillow gave Yuki a dubious glance, "And who do you intend to inform?"

"Don't worry, It's someone I'm sure we can trust!" She waved as she headed back out the door.

"Makumba."

The cat stopped at the sound of her name, turning to face the toad. "Yes Jaken what is it?"

"Yuki-sama has asked that you go speak with her."

The cat simply nodded, "I have nothing else to do right now. Do you know where she is?"

"She awaits your arrival in her chambers."

Jaken watched as the cat walked off in the direction he had come from. Something was going to happen, he could feel it in his bones. Of course the previous psychic conversation with Yuki more than hinted that something was amiss, not to mention the subsequent arrival of her Inuyasha and the human witch… errr miko. He suspected a coup was underway and Yuki was trying to prevent it. Jaken was happy to know that his master had a powerful ally in his sister. If Yuki truly wanted the rulership all she had to do was request it, and despite her bizarre behavior he knew she would do anything for her family.

But how did Makumba fit into this? Was she an ally or a traitor? Did Yuki intend to take her out of the picture now or question her for information? He was sorely tempted to go eavesdrop at his mistress's door. But such an act was below him, not to mention the fact that Yuki would probably catch and punish him.

The toad sighed, he usually knew everything that was going on, oh well. He looked out the window, it was about three hours after sunrise now and he had one other errand as well, muttering under his breath Jaken went out in search of the hanyou.

It was such a nice place to be, out in the sun, nothing around but fields of grass and flowers. The wind brushed though her ebony hair like the hand of a lover...

Speaking of lovers where was he? A part of her knew he was late, that he should be here by now. Oh well it was alright, she did always forgive him after all, and how could she not? He was always so cute when he felt sorry or embarrassed, of course it wasn't hard for her at all to tell these things.

"Kagome!" She heard a voice call over the hill.

"I'm over here!" She smiled running over to meet him. As he came over the hill he lept into her embrace and she was content, while another part of herself was throughly shocked and disgusted as she snuggled with the little green toad, his staff of two heads falling to the ground at her feet.

-

Kagome's eyes snapped opened and she shot straight up nearly taking Sesshoumaru's arm and tail with her. The youkai was immeditately alert (after a slight wince from the sudden pull on his tail) and dropped what he was doing. "What's wrong?"

Kagome jumped at the voice, she had woken up in a disoriented state, not quite remembering where she had gone to sleep, she turned quickly and looked at Sesshoumaru for a moment before a rush of relief came over her. "Gomen, did I startle you?"

Golden eyes looked back at her for a moment before she suddenly realized that he would never admit such a thing, even to her.

"I'm.. sorry it was just... a really really weird dream." She looked off to the side a moment, somewhat perplexed, "I've been having quite a few of those lately."

"You should speak to Yuki of them, she is quite adept at decoding dreams."

Kagome abrutbly paled at the idea of telling anyone about the image she just woke up from. "Welll.. ehh, I don't think she would understand, too many pop-culture referances." The youkai looked at her curiously. "Oh uhh.. 20th century stuff hehe," she laughed nervously then she noticed the grin behind Sesshoumaru's eyes. Jerk, he just likes watching me squirm...

"Yuki-sama?"

"Ah Makumba good! Come in, come in! Oh and close the door behind you I have some very hush-hush girl stuff I'd like to talk to you about." The spotted cat did as she bid, certain that Yuki did not send for her to talk just about "girl stuff" especially when the white youkai cast a quick spell. "There now no one can hear for sure."

"What is it you need of me Yuki-sama?"

"Oh your so sharp! I've always like that about you." There was a pause as Yuki awaited a response and Makumba waited for her to continue.

…

"Oh," the cheetah muttered, "Uhh thank you…"

"Right well, anyway Makumba I need you to go back to Sesshoumaru's castle and prepare everyone there for battle, but do so discretely-"

"What?"

"-In a way that someone looking from the outside would not notice."

"Excuse me again Yuki-sama but: What? Prepare for battle?"

Yuki's tone sombered slightly, "Oh well it seems someone is trying to get leverage over Sesshou. All I know is that something will occur at the castle, probably not until sunset. When you leave here do not look to be in too much of a hurry, I want our usurper to have as few reasons as possible to suspect that we know. And don't tell anyone where you are going other than that you are delivering a message for me. Don't bother saying to who as most of the important youkai in the area are arriving tomorrow if they are not already here."

"Yes Yuki-sama," she responded, going into soldier mode.

"Here," Yuki said, handing Makumba some rolled up parchment, "Can't have you delivering a message without a letter now can we?"

"Is there-"

"Oh just give it to Rin, it's a picture of some flowers. Do you understand everything I've told you?"

"Of course."

"Good!" Yuki responded, suddenly cheerful again, "Now shoo! I've got a coup to stop, spells to cast, and these old clothes of mine to be spiced up a bit before the coronation! Oh and don't worry about telling Sesshou I'm sending you I already cleared it with him." The cat was unceremoniously shoved out the door and Makumba stood there a moment confused the "letter" in her hands. After a few seconds the cat just shrugged it off and went off to do as she was told.

"Now," Yuki said to herself once the cheetah had left, "to send that message ahead."

Inuyasha stood at the base of a cherry tree looking up into the branches. Graves and shrines for humans were not permitted inside the castle walls and he was sure that Sakura's would be too difficult for him to hunt down at the moment. Especially since it was likely to be overgrown by now. "It's not fair!" a six year old Sakura cried up at him, she was barely in the bottom branches of the tree while a younger version of himself stuck his tounge out from fifteen feet above her. "Why can't I climb high like you?"

"Keh! That's because I'm a boy. Boys climb better than girls!"

"That may be true" a third voice rang in, "but cats climb better than dogs." Looking down Inu-chan and Sakura-chan saw an adolescent Makumba jump into the tree and with a few easy jumps was much higher than both of them.

"That's not 'cause your a cat!" Inu-chan shouted at her indignantly, "It's just 'cause you're older!."

"The word is 'because' Inuyasha. A person of your station should speak properly."

"Aniiue!" The adolescent Sesshoumaru watched as the little red and white mass of fire-rat fur and hair lunged himself out of the tree towards him. Grinning he stuck a hand out and caught his younger sibling by the scuff of his haori their faces inches from each other.

The little Inuyasha looked at him with wide startled eyes, for a moment his older brother thought he might cry at the sudden jolt. "THAT WAS SO COOL ANIIUE! Do it again! Do it again!"

He grinned while putting the hanyou on the ground, "Well I would but I can't since you've already jumped out of the tree."

Inuyasha thought for a moment then his eyes brightened, "Do it with Sakura!" Sesshoumaru raised a brow and looked up at the little human girl who had an experession of equal shock and horror. "Come on Sakura! Jump down! Aniiue will catch you!"

She looked back and forth between the two, then finally back at the elder of the two, "Will you Sesshoumaru-sama?"

He smiled at his little brother's friend, "I will."

Having heard many times from Inuyasha that Sesshoumaru always kept his word the little girl stood up on her branch and prepared for her leap.

I think that's when it started, Inuyasha thought to himself, an older guy earning the trust of a little girl. His brow furrowed slightly at the thought, Was it my fault Sakura?

"Inuyasha-sama!"

The hanyou twicthed as the scratchy voice of Sesshoumaru's retainer hit his ears disrupting his reverie. "What is it?" he half growled.

"Sesshoumaru-sama wishes to speak with you in his chambers."

Inuyasha looked down a moment in thought, "I'll be there in a minute." Jaken made a move as if to yell at the hanyou for keeping Sesshoumaru-sama waiting but stopped realizing it would be a wasted effort.

Inuyasha looked back at the tree as he heard the toad hobble away. Everything had changed when Sakura died, his life rapidly picking up a downhill pace. Yuki had already retreated to her books, Sesshoumaru became the cold distant self he knew and hated, and not long after that their father was killed. How would things be different if you didn't die Sakura?

"Miroku-kun"

The monk jumped slightly at the scratchy sounding voice, looking around for it's source. "Calm down Miroku-kun it's me, Yuki."

"Ahh Yuki-sama," he repiled with a grin, "What can I do for you today?"

"Well lower your barriers a bit for starters, you're making me try to hard just to talk to you."

"Gomen, though I am pleased you would try so hard just to do so."

Yuki laughed the sound now much more clear to Miroku, "Yes I bet you are. Now I have a bit of a favor to ask of you."

"And what is it I can do for a lovely lady such as yourself Yuki-sama?"

"Flatterer. I'm going to need you to hedge out a traitor for me." Miroku's eyes widened slightly but he let her continue. "I have sent Makumba there to tell you that the manor will be attacked at sundown. If she does not inform you then she is a traitor to Sesshou. Until then I only want you, Sango, and our feathered friends if you feel they are trustwothy, to prepare discretely until she arrives. Take her out if she's traitor by whatever means you deem fit. She should be there within an hour."

"I believe I can do that for you Yuki-sama," he replied with thoughts alone, realizing he could do so.

"Oh and Miroku-kun, do take care of the children as well."

"Of course"

"Well then, see you in a few days... asuming we all live." He could feel her precense starting to leave when all of a sudden there was a small gasp, "Such thoughts for a houshi!" she teased.

Miroku grinned, knowing his thoughts had not been read (only beacause he wasn't thinking that)and shook his head before going to talk with Sango.

Kagome sat across from Sesshoumaru again, he had bascially told what was going on, but she knew he was keeping certain details from her, like the names of his traitors. That she could somewhat understand, if she knew who was involved she would act differently around them and... well she wasn't quite sure what but she wasn't exactly a tactician. But what she couldn't understand was why Sesshoumaru continued on with his paper work like nothing was going on.

"So it's going to happen soon?"

A nod.

"Will the fight be hard?"

"More than likely, they'd have to be a powerful enough youkai to maintain the title once they have taken it."

"Then why are you still working?"

"There are many things that need to be taken care of," he waved a hand over the scrolls, "This is more or less what the council and my uncle have done in my absense. Since he was only a regent I have to authority to change or overrule any of these once I obtain my proper title, I need to be familiar with all of these."

"So you're not worried about the fight?"

"No."

"I see... But I guess you wouldn't, between you, Yuki, Inuyasha and myself, I'm sure we can take them down."

For the fist time since he ended the debriefing the youkai turned his eyes up at her, "We?"

"Yeah, you don't think I'm staying here do you?"

His response was a look that clearly said he did.

"No, Sesshoumaru. If you think I'm going to sit here waiting on my hope chest for you come back alive you've got another think coming!"

Sesshoumaru didn't know what a "hope chest" was or where Kagome was keeping it, but he had little thought to waste on it right now. "Actually, you will wait here because I will not have you hurt in this battle."

"And what makes you think I can't take care of myself? After all the shard hunting and Naraku hunting I've been through?" Her voice was getting dangerously emotional in Sesshoumaru's opinion.

"True, but most of the youkai you have encountered were not nearly on the same level as what we will be facing. You cannot take on a fight against multiple high-blooded youkai Kagome, and I cannot ensure your safety as I do not know how many the ursurper has on his side"

"All the more reason I should be there to help you!"

"You would only prove as a distra-"

"DON'T you DARE give me that distraction nonsense!"

"Kagome you will stay here."

"Like Hell I will!"

"Precisely."

She glared at him, not sure how he had turned her words against her, but she found herself thinking that she would give Naraku her shikon shards for another sit necklace at that moment. The staring contest went on between firey blue and cold, logical gold. "Hey Sesshoumaru you wanted to see m-" Inuyasha stopped dead in his tracks. Kagome had turned in his direction as soon as he spoke with a glare that clearly said "osuwari" with a few exclamation points that would drive him further into the geound than usual. His ears flattened to his head, wondering what he had done noe, until she turned the "you-deserve-much-worse-than-an-osuwari glare of doom" at Sesshoumaru for a second then marched out the door passed him with little more than a nod. As she walked passed the hanyou felt a rush of relief, confuison, and curiosity wash over him. His eyes followed her out of sight and then turned to look at Sesshoumaru. He had been on the business end of that glare a few (but very frightening) times and wondered what the Ice-Lord of the Western Lands had done to deserve it.

"I do not suppose you would be able to talk some sense into her?"

Inuyasha cocked his head to the side and crossed his arms, "About...?"

"Staying behind should I go to fight."

"Keh. The wench doesn't have room for that kind of sense." Ignoring the glare his brother gave him the hanyou continued, "She has never left a fight when others were fighting too, no matter how useless she might be." The hanyou shook his head, "You should have been there when this black miko put a kill-curse thing on Kagome a few weeks ago. She insisted I take her out to find the bitch while she wasn't under direct attack. When we get there the curse is back in effect and lying in the grass she throws the bitch's shikigami right back at her." Inuyasha almost would have laughed had the event itself not been so stressful.
"She's as stubborn as a herd of bulls but she comes through, besides her aim's really good," he threw a grin at Sesshoumaru, "or didya forget?"

Sesshoumaru looked at his brother, for an instant marvelling at the fact the Inuyasha had spoken as many words without resorting to violence yet. "Yes I do recall, she broke my armor."

Inuyasha nodded, "And I'd never tell her but she's only gotten better."

"Ah there you are Kagome-chan!" Kagome was compeletly taken aback as one of Yuki's pale hands grabbed her wrist, "Come join me for some tea in the courtyard won't you?" Suddenly lost in the white highpitched whirlwind that was Yuki Kagome could do nothing else but follow. At some point she recalled seeing the horse youkai Umajin and sheepishly waved at him as she was dragged by Yuki saying something about "You two are just so silly and cute sometimes I can't stand it!"
Kagome didn't think she was talking about her and Sesshoumaru anymore at that point. They eventually stopped in a small gazebo that extended over a small lake. "Now I know my brother can be extremely stubborn but that's no reason to get so upset."

"Oh.. you heard that huh?" Kagome blushed as her tea was poured.

"Oh no dear, our rooms are magically soundproofed. I did however get a wonderful wave of the vibes you two were sending through the walls."

"What do you mean 'us two'?" Kagome asked, "he didn't seem all that upset."

Yuki waved to dismiss the servant, "Oh my dear how much you have to learn, Sesshoumaru is the king of the icy cold mask of apathy. I however am quite adept at seeing through such things."

Kagome gulped, "He.. he's not mad at me is he?"

Yuki laughed, "No dear he's more frustrated and worried than anything else. He just doesn't want you to get hurt-"

"Like Sakura," Kagome muttered.

"Yes exactly! Like-" Yuki stopped, "How did you know about Sakura?"

"Inuyasha told me."

"Ah, yes, well that figures."

"He just wanted to know what I was getting into."

"Yes well though his version may be accurate you must understand something Kagome. Inuyasha's mother reacted very badly to what happened. She tried to convince father to basically ban Sesshou from seeing Inuyasha, fortunately, in this case, logic won out. Well at least as far as that argument went. Sesshou on the other hand-."

"Closed up his emotions and became a control freak?"

Yuki tilted her head a moment in thought, doodling in her tea with a finely pointed claw, "Basically.. yes."

"Report."

"It does not appear as though they know anything, Sesshoumaru has been looking over the past decrees and such and he's currently speaking with Inuyasha."

A brow raised, "'Speaking with Inuyasha?'"

"Yes, I admit that is odd. And Yuki is currently having tea with the miko girl."

"Ahhh yes.. my dear Yuki is here, I almost forgot. How fun this will be."

"Though she did send Makumba off early this morning."

"This morning?"

"Hai."

Kuroinu's eyes narrowed, "She knows, and if she knows so too does Sesshoumaru."

"Know what exactly my lord?"

The black dog grinned at the one before him, "They know what is coming, but not from who."

The cheetah's feet pounded on the ground kicking up dust and dirt behind her. The castle finally in sight she skidded to a halt before the doors. Taking a breath she opened them and tried to act calmly as she entered the grounds. "Makumba-sama what are you doing here?" "I need to see Sesshoumaru-sama's guests."

"The hanyous are in the dojo and the taijya and houshi are near there as well with Rin-san and the kitsune."

"Good," she nodded, "follow me for a bit." She walked into the covered halls with the servant. "Tell everyone to get ready, but discretely," Makumba said quietly, not looking at the man beside her, "We are going to be under seige come sunset possibly sooner, but our enemies may already be stationed outside. Let nothing be viewable from the outside and prepare a safe room for the children."

"It will be done Makumba-sama."

"We will be no one's ultimatum, now go quickly."

"Hai," as the servant turned off at the next corridor.

Makumba came upon the small garden area between the main house and the dojo. The Taijya looked up and seeing her looked to the houshi and pointed in her direction with a nod. "Miroku-sama, Sango-sama may I speak with you for a moment?"
Sango nodded and looked to Rin and Shippo, "You two stay right here for a few minutes, Kirara make sure they don't get into any trouble." A brief mew and the two humans walked up to Makumba and led them into the dojo where Nataku and Hikaru were maintenancing their weapons.

"Yuki-sama sent me, we are going to be under attack-"

"-at sundown," Hikaru finished. "You think we're doing this for fun?" upon closer inspection one could see that the weapons on the racks also looked recently cleaned and sharpened..

Makumba grinned, "It looks as though Yuki-sama knows how to test everyone doesn't she? Told you ahead of time incase I was a traitor." She wandered over to the weapons rack and picked up a short straight bladed sword with beads hanging off the sheath, pulling it off she gave it a few quick swings and strapped it to her waist. "These weapons will do little good in the hands of the servants. Most of them are mere humans (no offense)and weak youkai who are little better than farmers. You can bet our enemies will be more than that."

"So we'll be doing most of the fighting." Sango said.

"It's to be expected," Nataku finished.

"What has been done thus far?"

"Obaasan and Ojiisan are brewing up somethings in the basement and Sango and I have been discussing tactics."

"Good, what have we got so far?"

"Why should I?"

"Because you want to see Kagome hurt as much as I do."

"True, but what's to stop me from going after you and leaving her here?" Inuyasha asked.

"Because it could be a trap and they could try and hold Kagome captive again."

"Ok, so why shouldn't I just bring her with me and protect her while we fight?"

Sesshoumaru felt his frustrations mounting, "We will be fighting no less than three, probably more, high-blooded youkai, stronger than those we fought at the cave. As I have told her, this is not going to be one of your usual fights. I am not asking you Inuyasha, I am ordering you: Keep Kagome here, and keep her safe."

Inuyasha glared at his brother, ears backing down a little again. Sesshoumaru read his brother quite well, he didn't like it but agreed to it... for now.

"Kagome I want to tell you something," Yuki said pouring herself some more tea, "Though I have not seen you I believe in your ability to help in this fight. I can tell you right now that Sesshou is probably telling Inu-chan to keep you here when we leave."

"Like Inuyasha's gonna do what he says."

"In this castle he may, and as you are his best friend he will likely agree to keep you away from danger." Kagome opened her mouth but before she could say anything Yuki held up a hand, "But, he will want to fight as well. So here is what I'm going to do. After we leave I am going to lead you to us, I am going to tell you and Inuyasha where to find us after we leave."

The miko looked confused, "But... but how? Surely Sesshoumaru will notice sending us a message or something."

"Oh but not the way I do it," Yuki grinned. She moved the teapot and with her claw drew a symbol in the air above the table. Kagome watched as the lines glowed until the symbol was completed then faded.

Kagome felt a twinge at the base of her skull several times. She jumped and moved her hand to rub the back of her neck.

"What was that?"

"That was me knocking, remember what that feels like. Your natural barriers are such that I can't just waltz in and talk to you."

"Talk to me?"

"Yes talk to you," she heared Yuki's static-coated voice in her head. "Just let loose you shields, just a little bit, around my voice."

Kagome felt very uncomfortable, the last time she heard a voice in her head it was telling her to kill Inuyasha.

"Don't worry Kagome," Yuki said aloud seeing the girl's worry in her aura, "I can't read you mind with this, and I can't make you do things. This is just a way to communicate. Voice to voice, Mind to Mind. Only surface thoughts you project out to me."

"Oh.. I see..." Suddenly Kagome grinned, "heh, who needs a cell phone."

"A what?"

"I'll tell you later."

"Ok. I can tap right into Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha since we're related, and most youkai because I'm just that good. But human's with spiritual powers like you and Miroku still give me a little trouble, it's like I have to be invited. Now Sesshoumaru would normally be able to tell a little flux in power when I cast, but he'll be too riled up for the fight, and frankly so will I so I think he'll just pass it off as my youki fluxuating."

"So what were you casting earlier when you had your finger in your tea cup? That took longer than what you just did."

"You are so perceptive Kagome-chan!"

Kagome blushed, "Yes well now that I know what that feeling was I thought I might as well ask."

"Yes well suffice to say anyone standing outside of this Gazebo thinks we're talking about kimonos, boys, hairstyles and other girly things."

"So.. what's stopping us?"

Yuki sipped her tea and looked up, "From what?"

"Talking about boys." Kagome grinned.

The cat walked through the halls overseeing some of the preparations for the oncoming battle. She spied one of the two ancient youkai that worked in the basement and library. "Ojiisan, what do you have there?" "Ahhh... Makumba-sama," he replied in a voice that reminded her of the dry parchments he read, "I was just going to go put these wards up around the castle walls, they should keep the enemy from entering."

"Will it truly keep them at bay?" she asked, remembering similar charms being used little over a month ago that kept people from leaving.

"Unfortunately I am not as strong as I used to be, it will hold them back for a little while, but it will depend on the forces they bring."

"Very well," Makumba held out her had, "do not push yourself too much Ojiisan, I will put them around, I'm sure there are more spells for you to make use of."

He nodded, "But of course! I was just reading one last decade... now if only I could find out where I left it.."

"And where is Obaasan?"

"Oh she is in the basement brewing up something good, but I wouldn't bother her now. You know how she likes to work alone."

Makumba nodded, remembering having recieved a few lumps to the head, "I do. Keep with your research we will need your knowledge again before the night is through."

"But of course Makumba-sama."

As the old man continued down the hall Makumba made her way towards the outer wall when she looked down at the wards in her hands. After a moment a sardonic grin found its way to her features.

Juutsuma had made his way to the dojo and armory. There was so much and so very little to do right now. Many things were being done, none by him and all he had to do was sit back and wait. It was good and it was bad he supposed, but as always the warmaster was impatient in times of peace. He enjoyed a good fight and longed for the next one to arrive. But until it did all he could do was wait so he pulled a staff off the wall and with little else in his mind to do he began some forms. Halfway through his second set of forms (this one done with a katana) Umajinn walked in, "Thought I might find you here." The tiger did not halt in his excercise, "Does something need to be done?"

Umajinn shrugged, "No just aimless meanderings on my part."

"I would appreciate it if you did not do that in my direction."

The horse wandered over the the weapons rack and pulled off a katana of his own, "My my that's disrepectful Juutsuma-san, I think I need to challenge you for it."

Juutsuma grinned, he could go for a good spar, even if Umajinn had never defeated him in one-on-one before, he was a decent challenge.

Makumba knew several things about the castle that few others knew, save for Sesshoumaru and whoever else he had chosen to bestow the secret to. She knew, for example, that there were a few select secret passages within his home that led out. The cheetah also knew that if wards were not placed around an entrance one could get out that way, no matter how well covered the walls were. And so she went about the castle leaving one select and well hidden passage unguarded by the spell...

Yuki stopped and looked up into the sky her minds eye seeing the stars that were hidden by the blue sheet of day. It will all come to a head very soon...

"Is something wrong Yuki-sama?" Kagome asked.

Yuki smiled brightly, "No I was just looking at the stars."

Kagome laughed, "You know Yuki sometimes you are just too much."

"Thank you, I try."

Hika-chan: Ok so I know it was kindof a weak end for the chapter, a perhaps a little too lighthearted considering the fact that it's about to get all kinds of messy soon.
Hikaru:monotone so you mean you're finally gonna get to the point?
Kagome: And stop leaving us in limbo?
HC: ' ehhehehee... well I do have 3 school projects due next week and then a big one to start right after that, not to mention work and Rocky...
Nataku: So get out the poker chips folks we're still gonna be waiting forever for the next chapter.
HC: No they won't!
Sesshoumaru: glares
HC-eek-shies away ok OK! so you probably will! But I'm gonna try and get this done! I swear!
Yuki: You know you really shouldn't lie.
HC: sniffles then lets out a high pitched cry WHY ARE YOU ALL SO MEAN TO MEEE!
Yuki and Sesshoumaru grab their ears, all the others wince
Yuki: Oh god someone shut her up!
Sesshoumaru: Now you know how I feel sometimes. Yuki sticks her tounge out at Sesshoumaru
Nataku: pointing Hey are those rice crispy treats?
HC: abrubtly stops what? where? Runs off in the direction Nataku points
Inuyasha: bringing in a card table So who's got the first deal?