Chapter 9-Regretable betrayal and unforgettable talk
Time seemed to go by sooner then expected for everyone, even Inuyasha who felt as if time itself was itching for battle. The day of the campaign towards the Western Lands seemed to accelerate faster then expected. Especially with the troops that were ready to depart at a moments notice with each of them moving faster then usual. While Inuyasha himself was also eager for battle he knew he had one loose end to tie up before he could depart to the place he as a child once called...home. He got on his favorite armor whose colors were that of red, silver, and black.
Inuyasha had been informed by the guards that rotated out of guarding the prisoners that everything was in place for when Kagome and the others would begin attempted escape. Inuyasha had thanked them had got everything set into place so that they would follow the path he set for them. "Now Sango...we will see if you can hold up your end of our deal," said Inuyasha quietly as he waited hidden for when the moment arrived for his prisoners to act on their plan.
Sure enough they did. "Guards please help! Kagome doesn't feel well she needs strong medicine. Open the doors! Hurry!" said Shippo who was giving the best performance of his life to sound convincing.
"I'm not buying it kid. The General told us how you like to trick people and were not about to be tricked by some little fox demon wimp like you," said one of the guards beyond the door.
"Please guard show mercy. We PROMISE not to do anything crazy if you help her. DEAL?" said Sango giving off her signal to the guards.
"Well...if you PROMISE not to attempt an escape then...you got yourself a DEAL," said the second guard who heard Kilala in her little form mewed to tell the guards she was with Sango.
The guards opened the door carefully and pretending to be cautious entered the room and were about to carry Kagome out. The reincarnation of Kikyo however, surprised them by punching and kicking them in the face and stomach hard causing them to stumble back temporarily dazed. Before they had time to react Sango and Miroku landed their own punches and kicks knocking the demon guards out cold. "Let's get out of here before the guards awaken and were discovered missing," said Sango as they ran down the corridor that Sango was instructed to guide them down.
"Good. In few minutes alert the other guards in order so that we may briefly continue this false prison break. Heheheh," said Inuyasha who after a moment motioned with his hand a jester to a shadow in back of him that took off almost immediately to another area of the castle.
It wasn't long however, before they were "discovered missing" from their prison cell as they ran with no weapons, but their wits and carrying two wounded people with them. "Were going to be cut off soon if we don't get out of this place," said Koga whose demon healing abilities finally healed most of his wounds allowing him to run under his own weight.
"Lets try here, said Sango as she turned a corner leading them to Inuyasha's training circle arena.
"Were cut off!" said Miroku as they saw the path in front of them beyond the arena was cut off.
They turned to find the path behind them was cut off as well with no place to go, but to go into the circled training arena itself and fight to the end. "Looks like this is it," said Shippo as the soldiers advanced on them with weapons at the ready with evil looks on their faces.
"STOP!" said a voice from the shadows and the soldiers did just that and stood at attention waiting for the next order to come.
"What's going on?" said Kagome who like the others were completely surprised at this as the sounding of a slow clap could be heard as the figure in the shadows revealed finally appeared and revealed himself to be...Inuyasha.
"Very good my dear sweet spy. I'm most pleased with you holding up your end of our deal," said Inuyasha as he stopped clapping slowly, but still head a toothy smile and small, but noticeable laughter that went with it as he was now in the circular and well tiled training arena.
"Kagome you're not a spy for Inuyasha are you?" said Shippo who made Inuyasha's laugh grow and echo considerably.
"No I don't know whose he's talking about," said Kagome who heard Inuyasha's laugh grow even more.
"What are you laughing at mutt?" said Koga who saw Inuyasha pull a tear away from his eye lid with his claw from all the laughing he had done.
"Kagome wasn't the spy you fools. Sango was! My little birdie in acage sung a sweet song about your plans for escaping...to me! Not only that, but Sango's loyal companion Kilala had her hand or rather...paw in it too," said Inuyasha who pointed his index finger at Sango who had her head down with Kilala next to her with her head down in shame as well.
"NO!" said Miroku in surprise and anger as he charged at Inuyasha fist raised to strike him only to stop as the tip of Tetsuigia's immense blade now stood less then an inch from the young monks throat.
"Watch it monk. You play with forces and emotions you cannot understand or remotely comprehend at this time," said Inuyasha who saw Kagome move quickly as well as successfully grab Miroku by his clothes and pulled him away from where he stood as to not get hit by Inuyasha's sword.
"Sango is what he said true?" said Miroku angrily as he turned to face Sango whose hair covered her eyes.
"No need to get upset now Miroku. She had very valid reason for betraying you all to me as did Kilala who followed after Sango told her of what she and I discussed several days ago," said Inuyasha who re-sheathed his sword and snapped his fingers.
Almost instantly as if in slow motion a figure appeared behind Inuyasha as if it were an extension of the half-demon himself. "Kohaku!" said Sango as her eyes looked up and saw her little brother in shock and saw he was his demon slaying armor that looked as if it had been upgraded considerably since she last saw him in it.
"Yes Sango. As we agreed upon in accordance to our little deal and agreement that we had with you betraying them...to me. However, you cannot talk orspeak to him now," said Inuyasha who placed a left hand on Kohaku's shoulder.
"What? Why? We had a deal," said Sango who went from shocked, surprised, and then angry all in once while Kilala herself growled.
Inuyasha stared at the fiery demon cat and silenced the demon's growl before he spoke to the now angry demon slayer. "Yes I know Sango I have no intention of going on back on our little deal. However, I can't let you talkto him at this very moment with Kagome and the others around. Even Kilala will have to leave in order for the deal to be completed," said Inuyasha who no longer had a smile on his face, but a rather serious one.
"Why can't Kilala stay she should be able to be here with me when I talk to Kohaku?" said Sango.
"You think I'm a fool demon slayer? One...Kilala can fly you and Kohaku out of here without any roof or thing to stop you. Two...the deal wasfor you and Kohaku. Kilala was never part of the deal and you know that. Three...heheheh well lets just say I like to keep my friends close, but my enemies...closer," said Inuyasha who now smiled after the third reason and licked his demon teeth for brief moment that was so fast only Sango saw it making her blush a little.
"What did he mean by that?" said Shippo suspiciously as looked back and forth at Inuyasha and Sango with a raised eyebrow.
"It means it's time for you to go back to your prison cells and think this time...you'll be secluded from each other to avoid scheming. In the meantime I'll let Kohaku and Sango talk with my guards present to keep an eye on things," said Inuyasha as he motioned to his soldiers to take them prisoner again.
Kagome and the others couldn't resist even if they wanted to since they didn't have the strength to fight back. When they were gone a new set of soldiers appeared Kohaku looked at Sango and then back at Inuyasha with happy eye's and smile on his face. "It's just as you promised General thank you so much. You've been nothing, but a father to me since I served under your command and I am truly honored to be serving you," said Kohaku as he hugged Inuyasha who gave Kohaku several light pat's on the head.
"You're most welcome Kohaku. I always thought of you like the son I never had, and I think I raised a fine son at that. Consider this a gift for all your hard work in training as well as your loyal service to me on and off the battlefield when I really needed you the most...my son. I'll leave you two to talk while I head out to soon to be battlefield of the Western Lands and the Lord that resides their," said Inuyasha who embraced Kohaku one more time in a hug like a father would for his son and left them to have their little talk.
Sango looked at Kohaku whose eyes she could see were happy and clear of any form of mind control. "Kohaku...I...I can't believe you're here in front of me after all this time. I...I don't know what to say to you first," said Sango who could believe she was talking to her little brother.
"I missed you to Sango and I wanted to see you for so long, but I've been serving under General Inuyasha for so long. He promised me I would see you again one day and that I would have to be patient in order to talk to you one day," said Kohaku.
"Inuyasha really said that?" said Sango surprised at what Kohaku just said.
"Of course. He knew that you would never stop looking for me no matter what happened to you, the others, and General Inuyasha himself. He has a great deal of respect for you despite his...rough way of expressing softer emotions," said Kohaku.
"What happened after Naraku was killed? What happened to you?" said Sango as she forced her mind to get back to what she wanted to say.
Kohaku's eyes went from happy to sad as he remembered how he had assisted the monster that trapped his once imprisoned mind as a slave to his will. "After I was freed in the fight that killed Naraku I found myself awakening in an area far away from the where the battle was. Shortly after some men took me here to see Tsubaki and for a while I was terrified because I knew she was originally a dark priestess. But soon after she healed my wounds after she took the jewel from my back out of me," said Kohaku as he vividly remembered what had happened that day.
(Flashback)
"Ah Kohaku your still alive. I see my healing abilities have saved you from dying after I removed the sacred jewel shard from your back," said Tsubaki as Kohaku awoke feeling as if nothing had happened.
"I...I don't know what to say except...thank you mistress Tsubaki," said Kohaku who got up from the table that he was on.
"All I want in return for my assistance is for you to serve me in my army and follow your superior officers even if you disagree with it. What do you say? Will you join my army?" said Tsubaki.
"I will serve in your army to pay off this life debt I owe you. What is it that you wish of me?" said Kohaku who bowed before Tsubaki.
"I have an assignment for you in recruiting another member to our growing family and armies. I believe you know him. He's not exactly in the best of shape right now from his fight with Naraku, but if we get him now he'll be more powerful then he's ever been in his life. I need you to help my General and Lieutenant retrieve...Inuyasha," said Tsubaki seeing Kohaku's face light up with shock.
(End Flashback)
"So what Inuyasha told me earlier was true. I half expected him to lie to me about what he told me," said Sango remembering when she and Inuyasha talked to her about Kohaku.
"General Inuyasha does not lie to others my dear sister. He has fought many tuff battles against armies on his own that most beings human, half, or full blooded demon could enver walk away from. For every soldier he has killed on the battlefield he has shown mercy to countless others and given them a home here in this sanctuary of a castle," said Kohaku sharply with a hintof angerin his voice.
"Kohaku!" said Sango in surprise at what her little brother said in defense of Inuyasha.
"I'm sorry Sango, but it's because of Inuyasha I'm even alive when he joined our ranks and became General," said Kohaku whose eyes were filled with sorrow.
"What?" said Sango in disbelief at what Kohaku just said to her.
"It happened shortly after Inuyasha was made General and started the campaign on the Northern lands," said Kohaku.
(Flashback)
The battle raged as Inuyasha fought with everything he had along with Kohaku who was not far from him doing the very same. "General Inuyasha there are more enemy soldiers then there are friendly ones. We must regrettably retreat from battle," yelled Kohaku as he sliced a demon's head off and then spun around and plunged his sword another demon's stomach.
"We will fight to the end Kohaku. For that is way of warriors my second command and if you do not want to be a warrior any more then you should leave and never return," said Inuyasha who cut through five demons in with Tetsuigia in three simple moves.
Kohaku kept fighting as to prove his worth to Tsubaki as well as his superior commander that was General Inuyasha to prove he was no quitter. As they continued to fight the large enemy army one of the demon leaped into the air with a hook chain similar to Kohaku's own demon slaying weapon. Aiming and throwing the weapon at the boy it was about to hit the once mindless body of the boy, but was intercepted by Inuyasha who used his armored shield to protect Kohaku as the hook pierced his armor and into his stomach. However, Inuyasha had felt worse pains and ignored it as he pulled the chained assailant towards his wounded body and sliced the enemy in two. "General Inuyasha are you all right," said Kohaku as he ran over to Inuyasha who was on one knee from the pain as he pulled the hook from his stomach and breathing somewhat heavily.
Kohaku then notice the hook was covered in a deadly looking poison. "I'll live Kohaku, but you should be more aware of your enemies and how they move if you are to survive on the field of battle. I cannot protect you all the time and if you are going to continue to be in my service then you will not worry about the number of the enemies unless they are dead," said Inuyasha who looked at Kohaku and then got up to continue the engagement of the enemy.
(End Flashback)
"I shouldn't say this to you, but Inuyasha nearly died in that battle because of my incompetence and his efforts to save me. After the battle was over we had to hurry to get him home so he could receive the proper medicine to fix him. From that day on up till now I have trained myself under the harsh, but necessary conditions set by Inuyasha himself so I may be worthy of joining him in those battles," said Kohaku seriously as Sango had ever seen him.
"But you don't have to anymore Kohaku we can get out of here and rebuild our destroyedvillage. With your help and skills we could do make the village what it once was. Please Kohaku lets leave this behind," said Sango in a pleading voice.
"No," said Kohaku almost immediately and scowling at his surprised sister.
"No? Why not?" said Sango surprisingly.
"General Inuyasha trained me and pushed me to be my best and that's what I've done in his name and honor. He has been a father to me and I will never as long as I live abandon General Inuyasha under any circumstances. I was actually hoping you would willingly join the General and I as well as Kilala as we continue to unify the lands," said Kohaku who had the sound of disappointment in his voice.
"Kohaku...I...I care for you as a brother and I just want what's best for you," said Sango who could believe Kohaku would choose Inuyasha over his own sister.
"General Inuyasha has done that for me and I think he has done a wonderful job. I'm glad we had this little talk Sango. I'll see you later on in the day my sister. Good bye for now," said Kohaku who bowed politely and turned to leave.
"Wait Kohaku don't go," said Sango, but as she tried to grab him the guards watching them leaped into the circular arena and stopped her when they touched the ground.
"Don't hurt her she is my sister. Take her to Kilala's room so the two are not alone," said Kohaku who saw Sango's tear eyed face.
When Sango was out of site Tsubaki appeared and smiled at Kohaku. "I trust the little conversation you had with your big sister went well?" said Tsubaki.
"I do not know my queen. She seems betrayed in a way for the side I have taken, but despite what she may think of me my loyalty is with you and General Inuyasha. Without question," said Kohaku as he turned and stood up straight to face her in a very military fashion.
"Good. When General Inuyasha returns I want you to go to the Western Lands and look over the damage that has been done to it so I can send some men to fix it," said Tsubaki as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Yes my queen," said Kohaku who bowed and left the circular arena to head to his private room till he was ordered to leave.
(In Kilala's room)
The fire cat demon paced back and forth as she waited for her mistress and master to return to her with some news. After what seemed like hours to her she got her wish, but when she saw Sango's teary eyes she realized she didn't want her wish anymore. Kilala mewed when Sango entered the room and the door shut behind her mistress.
"Oh Kilala I made a mistake. I should have never betrayed the others for Kohaku's safety," said Sango as she hugged Kilala and continued to cry.
(A/N: I am so evil sometimes. I think I may have over did it, but...I think it went well. What did you all think?)