Author's Note: Look, up in the sky! It's a bird, it's a plane, it's the plot! Thank you to everyone who helped catch my Ah-Un misstep. It's been fixed with the thanks of a grateful nature. Read, enjoy, review.

Chapter Three: A Soldier's Duty

It was midnight by the time Inutaisho emerged to survey his camp. In the inky darkness, everything looked black and the warmth wrapped around him like blood. It made him shift, both from weariness and uncertainty. Despite his centuries of warfare, and command, the Inutaisho never felt quite comfortable with leadership. He understood his power, and understood, acutely, that certain duties, actions and reactions were expected of him now. It didn't make it easier however.

Not when so many looked to him alone to keep them safe.

The signs of life crowded around him as he watched. His soldiers chatted to one another in their native dialects, joked and jested and talked of home. He could hear and smell the beasts of burden near the perimeter of their camp, and could hear their caretakers speak soothingly to them. He could smell the fires and food roasting from the human retainers that had nestled close to his Youkai armies, and smiled a little. He liked having humans near. It was easier to protect humans, and he was more comfortable around them then the demons of Court.

At Court, he would be forever the General who betrayed his Queen and took her throne. He would be the Scourge that took down Joruri's clan and then raped her daughter to legitimize his claim. With humans, he was only the General who protected their lands and brought peace to the Western Lands. He was the Protector of the Western Lands, Defender of the People.

But he could never be both at the same time, in the same place. Because of his crimes, and because of So'unga at his hip, Inutaisho could never be the people's defender and the elite's ruler. His reign would forever be fractured, incomplete. So he fought, and made war for both worlds while belonging to neither. He fought to keep the demons and humans that lived in the Western Lands protected and prosperous, and to keep the elite- those proud Youkai who claimed allegiance to the old order- warm in their beds.

And he would wait for the time when his son, the Elite and Everyman incarnate, became the Leader he and Senshomi could never be.

His son, Sesshoumaru; Inutaisho had so many hopes for the boy that seemed childish if spoken aloud. He felt foolish even as he thought them but couldn't help it. So much rested on that boy's young shoulders that sometime he wondered if he pushed the boy too hard, or if he didn't do enough.
Sesshoumaru was to be the Healer, not just a Healer, or great man of the people. Sesshoumaru would become the one who united everything. The one who made it all work.

Who made these wars count for something.

Inutaisho knew he could to.

There was a sound behind that caught Inutaisho a second later then it should have. Cursing for letting himself get so caught up in his daydream, Inutaisho turned to see two creatures appear from the darkness behind him.

He made out Usagi first, as the Fox took on his human form as he approached. The other creature morphed slowly back into a human form, catching his breath. The Dog General nodded at Tajomaru who merely grunted and began to scratch his chin roughly.

"The Scorpions have amassed across the river, not far from here." Usagi deadpanned. He grunted a little at his counterpart then turned back to smile easily at his Lord. "The bad news is, we're outnumbered at least six to one."

"And the good news?" Inutaisho asked idly.

Tajomaru looked up with a smile and a laugh. "That should make for some fun fighting." He suddenly winced and slapped his chin.

Inutaisho smiled. "And what's your report, Myouga?"

The Flea Demon grunted and slid away from Tajomaru quickly. "My Lord, I come only to provide my services as best I can…unlike others who come for sport and for women…" At this point Myouga gave Tajomaru a dark look. "I only have your well-being in mind."

"My well-being or the taste of my blood?"

"One in the same."

"Well, I feel better." He returned. "As long as Myouga's still here, I have a shot."

"Why is that," Asked Tajomaru, who was allergic to fleas, and still scratching himself angrily.

"Because, the flea leaves when trouble starts." Inutaisho smiled at Myouga. "And he's still here." He gave Tajomaru a sympathetic nod. "Go through the camp and make sure the humans aren't annoying anyone who might find them a tasty meal." Tajomaru shrugged, not bowed, and turned towards the camp. Inutaisho's smirk deepened when he saw Usagi's glare, before adding. "And remind the Youkai, those humans are my personal guests."

"You're soft, Dog General." Tajomaru chirped as he stumbled downwards over the rocks and foliage, to the camp. "You haven't lived till you tasted a woman's liver!"

"You pamper that child." Usagi hissed.

Inutaisho shrugged a little. Usagi's words were entirely probable. "He's useful in battle."

"He's undisciplined, unruly and loyal to nothing but his base ambitions."

"And as a child of Coyotes called the Wild Packs, I would expect nothing more."

"Why do you pamper him so?"

There was a long pause as Inutaisho considered the question. Usagi waited patiently as he watched his Lord. The Inutaisho often paused, hesitated and rethought things of importance. Joruri use to tease this was the way of simple mind but Usagi never minded. He trusted the Dog General with his life and would never question his Master for long.

"Sesshoumaru trusts him." The Dog General offered in the end, in that quiet uncertain tone he used only with Usagi. "I trust Sesshoumaru."

"Ah, Sesshoumaru…" Usagi hissed. "Another problem."

Usagi never heard the Inutaisho's swing. He did however feel it, painfully, as he fell to the ground and coughed up the blood. He waited a few moments before rubbing the blood and spittle from his mouth with the back of his hand and forced himself up.

"Never," Inutaisho hissed. "Never speak of my son as a problem again."

"You would do well to remember that Sesshoumaru is also Senshomi's son." Usagi met his eyes quietly.

"If you mean to say something, Usagi, say it!"

"We are losing this war." Usagi said simply, as he took his place beside Inutaisho again. "And we are losing because someone is feeding the Scorpions information about us."

"A spy?"

"A traitor, someone close enough to know your mind, and with incentive for your downfall."

"And you think it is my son?" Inutaisho turned to face Usagi. He disliked this train of thought: both for the consequences, and because just how true it may be. He dismissed it a moment later. Sesshoumaru knew nothing of this war. He had personally made sure of that.

The Inutaisho turned back to view his encampment. He had several hundred soldiers and their families under his command here, and that paid no mention to the human auxiliaries. This war was taking its toll on everyone. They endured because of sheer will and trust in their Inutaisho.

"Myouga, what do you think?" He asked softly. But the flea was no where to be found. He grunted.

He didn't like how this was turning out.

XXXXXX

Senshomi-Gozen had her rooms near the main entrance for many reasons. Years ago, it seemed almost centuries ago, these rooms had belonged to her mother Joruri, they afforded the best view of the main entrance and in truth, the whole palace. These were the rooms of the Master of the House, and Senshomi was determined to remind everyone that she was still the rightful ruler of the Western Lands.

Even if no one believed it anymore.

In the time that had passed since Joruri's death, the betrayal of her Dog General had become a legend, then only a story, and finally a dream easily told and easily dismissed. No one called it a betrayal anymore, not even the hardest of Joruri's followers. Time had dulled memory, hate and loyalties, and people began to view Inutaisho as their rightful leader. They even began to love him. He had protected the lands from dragons and rival demons, from curses and scourges.

And the son, Senshomi and his, would make the Western Lands bloom. Lands that existed, would flourish under Sesshoumaru: cursed name or not.

And somewhere in the background of these grand plans for the future, Senshomi called Gozen watched, waited and remembered.

And there were times Tama could feel Senshomi-Gozen's bitterness run through him like blood, as if her hate congealed and was made tangible by her sheer determination to avenge what none other would.

Tama paused before her door, hesitating as he always did. He could feel her inside, and in his mind's eye, could picture her as she always was: proud, even in defeat, and alone. He felt his heart ache as he imagined her desperation, and then determined in his own way to please his Queen, Tama pushed open her doors without invitation.

And that's when he saw the Scorpion.

The Youkai peered up at Tama from his seat with only mild interest.

His hair was black and shiny, when it caught the sun turned blue, gold and silver like crude oil. His eyes were solid black opals and flashed the same series of colors. Despite his hair, and eyes, the Youkai's human form was impressive, and almost complete. Expect, that is, for the brownish black scales of his exoskeleton that covered his knuckles and crept up his arms. His nails, sharpened and long, were yellow and, if Tama remembered his father's warnings, bled a deep yellow poison that paralyzed his opponent.

"The Dog General's pet Fox?" The Youkai croaked, speaking to someone behind Tama. He held up one hand and popped the knuckles. The light made the scales sickly brown and despite himself, Tama took a step backwards.

But it was Masami's voice, coming like a breeze behind Tama that answered. "He is none of your concern, Gendo."

Gendo made a non-committal movement, and laughed. "Yes, I suppose you would think I have nothing to worry about." He croaked, "Little men seldom understand…business and loyalty."

"You're right." Masami's voice took form as he appeared. Age and care had beaten him, making his pale skin become colored by blue that appeared like blush on his skin. But he still wore the innate strength of someone who had a history behind him. Masami lifted his hand, letting the tips of his fingers glow as he called forth his claws. The air around Masami became charged, like lightening, casting him in a pale blue glow. "I know little of treason. I don't have the stomach for it."

The Scorpion rose from his chair, eye flickering like oil: now red, now blue, and gold. He blinked one set of eyes, and then membrane appeared blinking another. Tama felt a jolt of fear. Foxes knew well to fear the Scorpion. He flinched when Gendo's nails began to secrete their poison. "You speak cold for one who seeks my clan's aid, if your Lady has not taught you to hold your tongue perhaps I will…"

Masami scoffed. "You are welcome to try."

"Enough!"

Senshomi hissed as she appeared from the back room. She wore a short robe, cut at just the best angle to reveal the years had not dulled her beauty or her tenacity. She gave them a honeyed smile that put Gendo at ease. Tama watched Masami tense as he watched Senshomi docilely but disgusted. Senshomi either didn't notice or didn't care. She gave Tama a look. "You shouldn't be here, Tama young-one. This is very dangerous, being in this room."

When Tama spoke, he stated the obvious. "We are at war with the Scorpions."

"No," Senshomi chirped, "Inutaisho is at war with the Scorpions." She silked around Gendo, and Masami, drawing her fingers across their shoulders. "And let it be known, any enemy of Inutaisho, is my…"

"Bedmate." Masami hissed, as he pulled away from Senshomi's touch. He looked up briefly, catching Tama's eyes.

Senshomi was watching Masami with a distant look. There was calmness in her eyes, an acceptance that she was a Queen and therefore her heart and duty seldom coincided. The sadness Tama thought he saw, disappeared completely as she turned back and smiled at him. "Now, what can I do for you, my Tama?"

"Sesshoumaru is going to war."

"What?"

Tama nodded. "With him." He pointed at Gendo. "And I don't think he cares much who's war it is not."

Gendo turned and watched Senshomi darkly. "Lord Goromaru's armies have surrounded the Dog General's camp. He means to destroy them…would you have him back down now?"

Masami glanced at Senshomi, and gritted his teeth. "Sesshoumaru knows nothing of this war, or your treason…he doesn't deserve this…"

Senshomi lifted her hand to silence him. Her eyes were dark in thought but only lasted a moment. She was one of action, not plotting. "We've worked too long to hesitate now, Gendo."

Masami blinked. "He's your son, Senshomi!"

"And he will do what he was born to do." Senshomi hissed. "He is my avenger, our avenger."

"He has nothing to do with this war," Masami pleaded. "Your grudge with his father has nothing to do with him."

Senshomi stood again, and pushed Masami. She no longer cared that Gendo or Tama was there to witness it. "If the world was just, he'd be your son or have you forgotten that?"

"Not for a moment."

"Then why are you fighting this?" She smiled as she took Masami's hands into hers. "Sesshoumaru will perform as I have predicted, So'unga will be returned to me and our new friends the Scorpions will have their living space. And all will be right again." She inclined her head ever so slightly. "Tama, accompany my son to the battlefield."

Tama nodded softly.

"And when the time is right," Senshomi continued. "Tell him everything."