Disclaimers Notice: The only thing I own is the way in which I chose to use the characters and setting (oh, and a few of my own creations…)
Authors Beginning Note: One thing I would like to say before we continue. I do NOT in any form, accept flames. They are hurtful, degrading, and pointless. You know who you are. Being the generous person I am, the only course of action I took up was to delete your last few 'comments' . Next time I will inform the site coordinators such.
I love to hear comments, and advice about what I write; even the hard to bite truths about some of my flaws because they better me as a writer. However, saying nasty comments about how much you hate what I've written is no way in any form appropriate, or considerate.
Now…lets move on.
Shout it outs!
xxpunxx101: Wait until the next few chapters...where the suspense will just about kill a person.
Maroon Godess: Yes, The main characters are Inuyasha and Kagome, and the title is about their relationship, but to tell ya that truth...If I gave them all of the spotlight, all of my other characters(Well...Rumiko's characters) would quit, and then I wouldn't have a story.
Tanwen-Whitefire: Wow, I believe that has been the strongest reaction I've received so far. LOL. I'm glad you really got into it, and I have to admit that I would throw more than a spazz attack at anyone who dared commit such a cruel form of suicide.
AngelnoDarkness: Delighted to hear it. StormMaker out. :)
Rayame325: Yah, if that happened to Kagome, one would long for death like a fish for water.
The Four Souls: No! Don't die! I updated! And I did it before Christmas too!
Chapter 60
Your Family or Him
They stood in front of the tent. Kagome froze.
"You're such a scardy girl." Kagome dropped his hand and elbowed him in the ribs.
"Please come, you are expected." Kagome gingerly followed the little man that had spoken. He was twitchy, but looked honest enough. His attire was something to be said about. He wore a peasants brown and scratchy, plain garments, but wore a pointed hat with a gold, silken ribbon, smooth oak sandals with silk thong strings, and his obi was a shiny silver. Bearing something of Yin and Yang in one. Peasant and rich man.
"Eh hem." He pushed his way past a cloth door and Kagome followed. Inside were eleven men. Seven sat around a wooden table sipping tea. Three men were guards, each stood in one corner, and a fourth man was a servant who occupied the last corner. The seven men looked up in amusement, while the guards scrutinized the girls appearance.
"Why do you bring a woman? This is a war counsel, a table for men." One said the others nodded in agreement and whispered about the duty of women and their place in the family.
And what exactly does that mean…honestly…who do they think they are…the nerve…"I summoned her." The older man who sat at the head of the table said above the whispers. An instant hush fell upon them.
"Your…" He waved his hand as the twitchy man began to talk.
"This woman before you is a Miko called Kagome. She is the apprentice of Miyako, Priestess of the far North."
"This little girl?"
"She's old enough to bear children, but…"
"How can she be of any…"
"Are you sure you're feeling well…"
"SILENCE!"
wow…for a guy that looks like he's in his late 60's…he sure can be loud…
"Please, Miko Kagome, sit." She nodded and sat back on her feet at the opposite side of the table as he. The servant quickly set a small cup of tea before her.
"Thank you." Kagome said coolly, but looking kindly at the man. He sat back down and nodded.
"Now, back to what we were discussing…"
"Yoshibaki sir, there is a woman at our table, and you wish to talk of war?"
"Hime, you have much to learn. This woman is the Reincarnated Kikyo, but more than that she is the carrier of the Shikon No Tama." The guard's looks seemed to go from curious to hostile, ready for any trouble.
Why should who my past reincarnation gain me more respect...yes Kikyo was a respected...and powerful miko...but I am not her...I am someone entirely different...
"The jewel is a curse!"
"What has been done, we might as well give up…"
"But with the jewel in her possession…
"We will be more powerful than…"
"What if we bargained…"
"Silence! The jewel is not the reason I have invited her here. Her presence was requested so that she may know of what is going on."
"But why?"
"Because I said so." Keio strolled in. He looked sternly at the six men, who had gone rigid with respect. This new side of Keio startled Kagome. Slowly his gaze made its way to her and he gave a wane smile.
"Kagome has earned her place among our counsel. She shall be treated with respect and equality. Her role is yet to be decided." The men glanced at Kagome They nodded and Keio took his place next to the head monk.
"Well now, can we continue?" The servant gracefully placed a cup in front of Keio and then the maps were pulled out.
"What I suggest is we split what we have evenly. One force can attack from behind after the other attacks from the front". One man leaned in placed little objects representing different men at arms to illustrate his plan. Kagome curiously examined the results.
"Why not split the troops up between demons, plain humans, and holy people? Than we can strike all at once from three sides."
"No, that plan won't work." The bantered at each other. Each coming up with his own idea about how to commission a successful launch against Naraku's forces. They knew it had to be a sufficient and quick plan. Kagome looked at the silent Keio.
His eyes are all gray…he's looking…he trying to see into the future…to find out which is the best battle strategy…
"We can't split up our forces by splitting the races. Naraku's army is a combination of both.We have to use a tactful combination of all races." Kagome spoke up finally, exasperated by their arguing.
"Silly girl. What would you know?" A large barrel chested arrogant man pointed out.
"And ifwe sent our weakest forces against his strongest? Then our weak forces would be destroyed and wherever our stronger forces are, they will be tired and be wiped out.That is why we shouldn't split up our forces like that."
"Don't you get it? We need to split up so that we can attack at more angles so we can win more efficiently with the hope of less casualties." Spoke a more timid man, dressed in fine robes.
"But why should races matter?"
"I though that was obvious. A demon has the strength of ten men. So then it becomes a matter of mathematics. How many demons are we to send against their demons and humans. Then we have to consider the Half-Breeds. Withthis common knowledge, we must put it to our advantage." Said a skinny man. He looked pale and his face was sunk in. Kagome was infuriated by his words.
"What do you mean by 'then we have to take into consideration of half breeds'?"
"Well, they are stronger than humans, but weaker than most demons, so it's a question of whether we want the half-breeds to weaken the stronger demons and sacrifice their lives for that purpose, or destroy a larger portion of humans."
"But that's not right!" Kagome stood up in fury.
"And what would you know of these matters?"
"I know because one of my best friends is a Hanyou."
"Your judgement is clouded then."
"And he defeated almost every enemy we have come against..."
"You say almost…"
"Well, yes. After all, Sesshoumaru isn't dead, and neitheris Naraku."
"You talk all flowers."
"I tell the truth! Just because they are Hanyous' does not make them weaker! If you all weren't so pigheaded in your arrogant blindness and maybe lived out in the real world instead of behind your fine silks, and your lavished libraries you would know about true strength!"
"Woman! You speak too much of the heart and not with your head. It is the head that wins the war."
"But how can the head win the war when it is clouded over with prejudice!" Kagome was ready to smash something.
How can they be so blind…why won't they see what's right in front of them…they are like Miyako…why…why do they refuse…why do they hate Hanyou's so much…they have done nothing wrong…they didn't choose how they were to d be born…it's not the blood that runs in them that determines their worth…its their heart…everyone deserves a chance…and shouldn't be judged…
Her heart ached thinking. It hurt because she saw how blind they were and what they missed, and because of the thought of how many have suffered because of it.
"Woman, you have out stayed your welcome." Kagome stood rigid.
"Very well. I thank you Kanjaku Yoshibaki. I am sorry that your men can not seem to see past their upturned noses." She bowed curtly.
"Sir, surely you will not allow her..." He waved her off, allowing her rude comment to slide. However, the larger man who's arrogance was larger than Inuyasha's temper was not so forgiving.
"You will not leave without first leaving the Jewel in our possession surely. After todays display you seem to be quite unstable, and well…with the such immense power…Especially after such rudeness. I'm sure we could all forget your transgressions." A few men nodded.
"No." Kagome said sternly and turned to leave. The arrogant man stood up.
"Why you insolent…!" His wrist was caught by Keio, looked scarier than Kagome on her bad days. Kagome turned and gave Keio and grateful nod before leaving.
"You would lower yourself and hit a woman?" Keio whispered in a deadly threat. The man froze, but soon loward his arm.
"What she had to say was wise, would you not think Yoshibaki?" The man stared at the place the girl had stood.
Something was different about that girl…her eyes…so big…and innocent…she spoke the truth…and from her heart…she has a burning passion inside of her...and a rather scary rightous anger...
"I am ashamed to be sitting here. What that woman said was far wiser than what I have heard all day. She is right. Strength is not judged on race, but on heart and mind." The men bowed their heads either in shame, guilt, or anger. All except Keio who glared at every last one of them.
"I assume Keio, that you have considered many possibilities and have arrived at a plausible conclusion?"
"I have. But not a very clear one."
"Do explain."
"Kagome is the barrer of the Shikon Jewel. Her presence here is to replace Kikyo's, but her future clouds most others. I can only try and pick a possible future out of millions and hope it works."
"Well then, give us your guess and what might work. It shall be better than nothing." Keio pondered on his words a little. He looked studiously at the maps and drew lines using charcoal.
"Naraku will not attack too quickly. He expects us to get ready in a sloppy manner and once realize that we have more time, to try and reassemble, then he will strike."
"But why not now?"
"For irony, pleasure, many things. Naraku is twisted."
"Very well, continue."
"We can't afford to divide our forces at all, but we can spread them to a certain point. We should have trenches and barriers set up for the first attack."
"And what of destroying Naraku?"
"Naraku's where about are presumed to be in the castle, but it is too large, and that is only a presumption. It will have to be who ever finds him kills him. An organized attack to specifically bring his downfall is too faulty of a plan. It's bound to fail." Kanjaku let out a weary sigh as he rubbed his temples. The men looked curiously at Keio,whos paln though not constructed like a generals, was done in an orderly fashion.
They spent the rest of the afternoon tweaking as much of it as they could. However Keio did leave out one special plan he had. After all, who were these men to listen? They would only wish ruin to it before it even began to unfold.
"Kagome!" Shippo jumped up.
"I take it that it didn't go so well." Sango looked at her red cheeked, squinty eyed friend who fists were clenched at her side.
"So what happened?" Inuyasha asked with his arms crossed.
"A whole lot of hot air is what happened." Kagome exploded.
"Uh oh. This can't be good." Miroku sighed.
"What's that supposed to mean? Don't tell me you insulted them."
"Well they deserved it!" Inuyasha tipped over. He had merely meant it as a teaser comment to get more information out of her.
"Surely what ever they said couldn't have been that bad Kagome." Miroku stepped in front of Inuyasha. Worse case scenario,he would run like a little girl and watch Inuyasha get the 'sitting' of his life.
"They were rude, pigheaded, closed minded, sexist, and racist!"
"What did they say?" Sango curiously stepped forward.
"First they insulted me, then they insulted woman, and if that wasn't bad enough they insulted Hanyous' and demanded the Shikon jewel before I left for me insulting them!" Her hair began to fray and friz in her worked up tizzy.
"I suggest we sit down by the fire and have a hot cup of tea while you tell us exactly what happened.The rain will only make us wet and out tempers more out of check." Miroku tried to put out her fire, unfortunately it had the opposite effect.
"Tea? Tea!" She stomped her foot and looked ready to kill someone.
"Mellow out wench! This is Miroku, not one of them damn…"
"Sit boy!" Inuyasha cringed and he fell into the ground. Fortunately this course of action actually soothed Kagome, making her feel a lot more calm. Unfortunately, Inuyasha could only twitch for the next few moments.
"Damn wench." Inuyasha muttered under his breath as he stood up. Kagome and the others were making their way to a small area where a fewmonks and mikoshad built a nice fire. Shippo jumped ontoInuyasha's head and leaned forward to look at him.
"You have to admit that it does come in handy."
"Like when!" He made to grab the little twit.
"Ah! Kagome! Inuyasha's going to hit me!" Shippo cried leaping on Sango's shoulder, who happened to be nearest.
"Sit boy." Inuyasha plummeted into the ground again. Shippo jumped off of the giggling Sango's shoulder.
"Like then." Shippo whispered and dodged quickly out of the way.
"Touran, I wish to speak with you." The woman looked slightly baffled but smiled demurely.
"And what would you like to discuss Shunraun?" The girl blushed and looked sidelong at the demons that crowded around them.
"Is there any possible way for us to speak…privately?"
"Surely what ever needs to be said, can be spoken plainly."
"Never mind." Shunraun shook her head and disappeared among the many Yukai back to her brother and sister. Touran stopped and shook her head.
The day grew longer and rain beat down steadily. Everyone was wet, and felt miserable, but they kept going. Finally, Sesshoumaru called a halt when it was evident that to continue any farther at that time would be stupid.
"How long are we resting?" Touran tried to look past the vague rainy shadows across the plain.
Sesshoumaru walked off a distance away from all of them, not bothering to answer.
When the demons began to get cold, many took to training, either with a partner or on their own. Shunraun however just sat and watched as Kauran and Shurran went head to head in a vicious sparring match.
"Shunraun, I believe you had something you wanted to talk to me about?" Touran looked down at her dripping sister. She looked miserable, with her upper lip nearly pouting.
"It doesn't matter." She looked the other direction, her eyes refusing to meet Touran.
"Please don't be like that. I'm sorry I put you off. It was unfair of me to do so."
"It's not just today, but ever since we started this ragaband. You've been ignoring not just me, but Shurran and Kauran as well. It's not fair."
"How could you say that? I haven't been ignoring any of you…"
"Yes you have!" Kauran and Shurran stopped, hearing Shunraun's out burst.
"What's da' matter?"
"Ya, no kidding."
"You know, it's not fair. Doesn't it matter that we've been with you, the good and the bad?"
"What are you talking about Shunraun? You're not making sense."
"You're the one who doesn't make sense! I know your secret. I haven't told Kauran or Shurran yet, but I know!"
"What secret?"
"You've been holding out on us?" Shurran wasn't sure to be surprised or hurt. Shunraun was the sweet quiet one, but never withheld anything from any of them ever.
She's never kept anything from us…none of us have…that's how we work…we always tell each other everything…and that's what keeps us so close…and makes us the best fighting team…but…unless this is something really important…or maybe…maybe we're…falling apart…
That last thought struck Kauran harshly, but the more she thought about it, the more she seemed to realize that it could very well be happening.
"You love him!" Touran froze at the accusation.
"What makes you think that?"
"Don't play dumb with me, just because I'm the youngest, doesn't mean I'm stupid. I know you love him. I'm surprised no else seems to have noticed yet. Ever since we joined this parade, all you've done is idolize him and pretend that we don't exist!"
"That is not true."
"It is, admit it!"
"Surely you don't mean…" Kauran whispered looking down in thought with her arms crossed. She looked up and squarely at Touran.
"Is it true Touran, are you really in love with…"
"No! It can't be…" Shurran said catching on with rapid speed. There was a moment of silence between the four. The rain trickled down their neck.
"You know Touran, Shunraun is right. You have been ignoring us. It's not fair to us."
"We know you ain't good with expressing your feelins all the time, but dat don't make it right."
"I…I know…I just…I never meant to disregard any of you…it just happened. It was irresponsible of me both as the Leader of the Panther Tribe, and as your sister." Touran's shoulders slumped.
"You know we don't mind if you get a thing for a guy, but if you can't love us at the same time,." Shunraun put it plainly. Touran looked hurt behind her smooth face.
"Personally, I don't approve of the match at all. He's colder than any ice you've made."
"But Kauran…"
"I told you what I think. If you won't take it to mind, that's your decision, but…"
"We jus don't want to see you get hurt." Shurran finished.
"I thank you for looking out for me, but I can handle myself." Touran's pride began to shine through again. Shunraun wanted nothing more than to knock some desent sense into her, but withheld her hand. Instead she turned and left.
"We have more training to do." Kauran and Shurran left a distance and continued with their extensive fighting. Touran just stood there, her hair being flipped in the wind as Shunran's words echoed into her head.
'…then you are going to have to choose. You're family, or him…'