Hello everybody and welcome back to Redemptions and Chasms.

So Phillip and his wife Elena have entered the picture as has Kagome. I know the story is moving quite slowly, but please bear with me as we continue the story. This is just the set up for later on.

Advisory notice: I DO NOT OWN Inuyasha or Phantom of the Opera. All credit goes to their original authors and creators. Don't sue me.

Across the Seas…

~At Phillip and Elena's place that same night…~

Phillip woke to the quiet sound of a door closing. He immediately felt the feeling of eerie watchfulness and the presence of someone other than Elena. Though as he silently, without movement, looked around the room, he noticed the door to the balcony door slightly ajar. It was if someone had recently left their room and had left it open behind them. The wind from the night swung the door wide and Phillip sneered and growled to see the envelope blow off the table.

Elena, who had awoken with him, squeaked in fear, though she didn't dare make any further sounds than that. She poked him and silently begged him to look around. Phillip nodded ever so slightly as he slowly grabbed his hidden dagger from behind the headboard. He stood and paced the room slowly toward the balcony door. He looked out and saw no one before closing it and locking it behind him, never seeing the glowing green eyes staring at him from the roof above him.

Phillip scooped the room before sighing in relief, "Everything is alright Elena. There's no one here. Wait… What's that?!" He pointed to a piece of paper on the nightstand near Elena. He walked over as Elena sat up and reached over to grasp the paper. An envelope.

Elena opened it and took out the note inside of it. Setting the envelope aside and opening the note up, she read the note out loud as Phillip sat next to her, "'Comte and Comtesse de Chagney, let me introduce myself. My name is Assassin. I am friend of Christine and a member of the legendary Assassins of the Creed. I am writing to you about the state of which Raoul is treating Christine. As we all know, Christine is abused and treated horribly by Raoul since the day they escaped from the Opera's underground lake. Granted I don't condone Erik's behaviors and past crimes, but Christine should have trusted him and left with him and not Raoul.

"'I have discovered a few… disturbing issues surrounding Raoul's activities and behavior that indicate that he is going down a dangerous and evil path that could endanger not only Christine's life, but that of Paris' entire population. Perhaps even that of Europe. I have been meeting with my fellows and have been discussing on how to proceed with defeating Raoul and his evil allies as well as getting Christine, you both, several other individuals to safety.

"'Phillip, meet me at the local men's club tomorrow night. Not the lavish one, but the one near the docks that the upper society avoids. Dress as if you want to avoid detection and recognition. I will be wearing the pendant associated with the underground society of Assassins, which both of you know, hate to be known to the public at all. Though I am sure that you both have heard of them in rumor and myth. I will be revealing everything to you as much as I can. At least that which is pertaining to Christine and several evil schemes about Erik and Omar.

"'Be on guard until we meet. If you do not come, I will find you where you're at. At sword point if necessary. I cannot leave this matter to the wind and leave Christine to hell for the rest of her life. I will do this plan with… or without you both. Remember… Meet me at the local men's club tomorrow night. Come without anyone knowing. ~ Your servant and undertaker… Assassin.'"

Elena looked up from the note, deadly pale, terror written on her face as she stared at Phillip. Said man was speechless as well. For this Assassin to know so much and to somehow deliver a detailed note with a threat in it without anyone's knowledge and to their bedroom. Unheard of. Terrifying.

Elena was the one who broke the silence that had grown between them for the last few minutes, "You must meet with this gentleman. If he knows this much about Christine and at the same time threaten you at sword point… Then you must go… Besides… I don't want anything to befall our… our second baby…" She placed a protective arm around her middle.

Phillip went pale as well, and was nauseated. He was worried, hysterical almost when he jumped forward, taking Elena in hand, "You… you're… you're pregnant? Again?"

Elena nodded slightly, as if the knowledge would kill her if it got out into the open, "Yes… The doctor confirmed it this morning for me. That's why he was over. And… he confirmed that I am having twins…"

Phillip let her go and went to sit down. He felt nauseated and the room spun. After a few minutes of trying to get his nausea and dizziness to calm somewhat as he thought through the note's content and the knowledge of becoming a father again, he turned to Elena who had joined him on the couch, "I will meet with this mysterious Assassin tomorrow evening. However, I will be having several of my agents in disguise as well meet there at sporadic times to make sure that I have back up in case something happens. I…"

Elena interrupted, dread spilling out in her answer, "What if he is evil and is trying to get you to do something much more dreadful? And what if you get hurt or… even get killed Phil? What then? How…" The question died on her lips; the question already known to Phillip. To them both… How will Elena take care of three children if Phillip died?

Phillip shook his head, "Regardless of the dangers, Elena, I have to go. I have to admit, going to meet this Assassin fellow is far safer than refusing to meet with him. That is what he says is truth…" He stood and paced in front of the fire place as it burned low. He paused to add a few logs to it and to stir up the flames before rambling again to Elena. She watched as he paced, worry on her face.

Phillip abruptly stopped and turned to her, "I want you to start informing the staff in the morning about important business tomorrow. If all goes as planned with Assassin fellow and we come to an agreement, we need to think about how with may affect our future and that of our servants. We'll have to decide if we're to stay here in France or not…"

Elena nodded, more comforted now, certain that things were going to turn out for Christine. Though she had the feeling before that was going to happen, bad times were going to take place. And soon. She could feel it in her bones. Standing, Elena went to Phillip and took his hands, ordering, "Let's get to bed, husband. Now is not the time to go into planning something so deep. Tomorrow is a new day and planning about our future is best done in the light of the morning. I will get in contact with our brokers and business men who are in collaboration with us and talk with them and ask about several places outside of France where we could relocate to."

Phillip pulled her forward and kissed her. Pulling back from the kiss, he nodded, "Thank you dear. I will go over to Raoul's place and make sure to check on Christine. Perhaps, I can try to convince him and his few servants who are as corrupted as he is now to leave the manor so I can truly check on Christine without their interference. If I can't, I'll see if I can get that servant of hers, Kagome I think her name was, and speak with her. When I get done, I'll speak with my undertaker and friend Rascal about some digging to make the transition easier… If you know what I mean…"

Elena sighed, nodding before she pulled Phillip towards the bed, "Yes. Now… Come. Let us sleep. We have much to get done tomorrow. And we need all the time to get it done." She crawled into bed as Phillip crawled in on his side. He pulled her close to himself and soon they were both asleep again.

~Far Away in Japan…~

Touga and Sesshomaru looked into the western horizon as Inuyasha finished his business in the palace's office. Touga had been resurrected after Naraku had been slain and Kagome had wished the Shikon no Toma into non-existence. He didn't challenge Sesshomaru on the Western palace and his territory, having been thoroughly impressed with Sesshomaru's maintenance and expansion on the territory.

Instead, Touga had traveled north and east finding that his northern palace still upkept for his return. He had reclaimed it and Myoga had showed himself to Touga as his faithful servant. The northern territory had remained peaceful and relatively low key with invasion since his death and his ressurection. All he had to do was to do reconnaissance and bring the populace under his rule again.

After a few months of taking care of business there he returned to Inuyasha's forest and discovered that Kagome and Inuyasha were not on good terms due to the dead priestess' presence. Touga had lectured Inuyasha and spirited Kagome away to his northern palace, intending to teach her in the ways of the Inuyouki and to protect her from the dead priestess' scorn and wraith. In the few months that he taught Kagome, Touga had healed her of the mental and emotional abuse that Inuyasha had impressed on her over their time hunting Naraku. She became his mate and soon there after they traveled to the eastern palace where they found it completely abandoned.

He raged for a time and hunted out his delinquent servants and slew those who had dared to challenge his accusations. Most who did were dead in moments. The few demons left were left for dead and never challenged him again, scorned by other demons. Touga returned to the eastern palace in a rage and took several hours in the dusty dojo as Kagome cleaned their master bedroom, the kitchen and the hot springs before she made dinner for the two of them. Since then, they took another year to find new servants and several residents to up keep the palace as Touga increase the territories of both the north and east where he was lord and ruler. His territories now were over twice the size of Sesshomaru's western territory and from what it had been several centuries prior.

Now in the 1800s, Touga staired into the western horizon, Sesshomaru next to him, as they contemplated the last few hundred years. Many demons had disappeared into obscurity and hid their true selves away, more often than not turning into their human forms to blend into society or otherwise outright dying off. Many decided that Sesshomaru and Touga had wisdom in blending in and became their servants, giving both Inuyouki more servants, warriors, and more territory.

They each had sent out a scout to the west to look and hear news of Kagome. Both scouts had heard news from the west, a rumor that Kagome was alive. The children had been ecstatic and both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were giddy with happiness and relief. Sesshomaru had held Kagome in such a state like a mate, he had admitted to Touga a few months after her kidnapping that he was just as furious at it and loved her almost as if she was his own mate, even though Rin had become his mate several centuries prior.

Inuyasha on the other hand had been more reserved about the news. Since Touga had been resurrected, Inuyasha had got a few years of lessons from his father and strict punishments upon wanting to mate the resurrected Kikyo, but what had been the dark, negative part of Kagome's soul, had been made Kikyo's permanent soul. All that was left, the sweet, kind, loving, and courageous part of her soul, Kagome had enough of her own soul left to make up for it. It made her much stronger as a priestess than Kikyo had ever been. Even far stronger than Midoriko. Kagome was so much more courageous and loving and stronger in her powers than Kikyo and Midoriko. Though even with her prowess, she was still kidnapped.

Going back to their home after Naraku's death, once the group had arrived back in Keade' s village, there was a feud between Inuyasha and Kagome on Kikyo's arrival. Miroku and Sango were on Kagome's side as was Shippo, who had become Kagome's son after Naraku's death. Inuyasha and Kikyo had retreated to his forest and were reclusive, even though they defended the village. Keade was saddened to see her sister having become a spiteful, brooding woman, having lost much of her priestess powers and loving spirit after her resurrection.

Kikyo could barely bless an arrow now. And with her back, Kagome and Inuyasha had a falling out with Kikyo blaming Kagome for taking Kikyo's powers. That's when Touga reappeared and whisked her away with Miroku, Sango, Rin, and Shippo and it was soon Keade and the villagers banished Inuyasha and Kikyo from their village and the forest. Kikyo had less priestess power than her sister now and thus, she was defeated in a simple archery match.

After several decades of wandering without a home, even though they used Sango's demon slayer village as a base, Inuyasha had gone ravenous without Tessaiga when Touga had reclaimed it saying he wasn't ready for its power and that led to him killing his mate Kikyo when she couldn't control his demon. A few years of uncontrol rampage, Touga and Sesshomaru had been forced to go after him themselves. Once he confronted Touga, Inuyasha had been defeated within an inch of his life at Touga's alpha status. His demon hadn't surfaced since, either too scared of Touga and knowing his place as omega in the pack or forever asleep within Inuyasha.

Now Inuyasha remained within his father's northern palace with him, quiet, complacent, contemplative, and withdrawn from the world, and working for his father and brother to make up for the time spent with a spiteful and evil-hearted mate, and rebellion against them. He had mellowed out greatly over the years, and had become much more likeable. He even treated Kagome far better than on their journey to kill Naraku. Though with what happened almost immediately after Naraku's death, he rarely spent time with her, too ashamed at his actions against her.

He acted more like a servant to her and quiet devotion to her. Kagome was disturbed by it, trying many times to ask him about it and break him of it, but he wouldn't listen and remained such. She soon left him alone about the issue and retreated from his presence, their relationship now too distance from what it once was. However as of recently, before she had gotten kidnapped seven years prior, they had reconciled and became friends again, though Inuyasha was still remorseful about his actions. He was in the other room as Touga and Sesshomaru spoke in low tones over the issue with Kagome's kidnapping.

Touga hummed, "From what I got from the scout I sent, Sesshomaru, she's in service to a sweet French Lady. I wonder if he knows that gentleman from the Assassin Order that we are in league with?"

Sesshomaru grunted in response, "From what I heard from my own scout, the Assassin Order is around in France and my scout's words are as follows, 'The member of the Assassin Order is highly experienced and his order is conducting a massive rescue for the Lady Christine. I've also heard rumors from the locals that there are several schemes to try to bring down the French Royalty, and it includes Raoul de Chagney and Lady Christine. The latter as an unfortunate sacrifice to the cause. It's best to send some reinforcements to the area and help with the scheme. Seems we best to send someone to help in the act and get Kagome out of there without harming her, father."

Touga nodded, concerned and thoughtful, "Yes… Yes… We need to send someone. Problem is, we cannot send too many. There are bound to be many in France to know that there are foreigners in their country, especially if they're from our county and area of the world. At least in a large number… Hmmm…"

"Why not send Inuyasha to fetch her? He would love to get out of here and love to explore distance lands?" Sesshomaru suggested, though his answer held a sarcastic tone and disappointment. He and Inuyasha had stopped wanting to kill each other and had even become more brotherly towards each other. But in the aftermath, Sesshomaru wanted to see him become the proud Inuyouki that father had wanted them both to be.

Touga shook his head, ordering with unmovable stance, "No… Having him go would be disastrous. Not only to the French area if they found out about us Inuyouki, but also for their society and the future. It would be best that you or I go as we would blend in far better than Inuyasha. Plus, with his attitude now… No, not him." Touga and Sesshomaru turned to hear Inuyasha yell out to them from inside, gruff and mean sounding, "I so could handle myself in the west. I…"

Sesshomaru growled, "Half breed, remember the last time you tried to leave father's presence for even the smallest of errands… Even if it was just to deliver Keade medicine years ago…" When Inuyasha simply growled and stayed quiet, Sesshomaru smirked and continue, "You get my point Inuyasha. This would be the worst time and event for you to go on. Leave it to father and I to discuss this situation."

Touga, who remained quiet as his sons interacted growled in approval at Sesshomaru's reprimand to Inuyasha, crossed his arms. He looked back to the western horizon and quietly commented, "I think it best that you take this mission and go with a small caravan to the west, Sesshomaru. And take Rin, Miroku, and Sango with you. You'll need your mate's gentle spirit and priestess abilities as well as Miroku's priest abilities and Sango's fighting skills as you go. Move quickly and quietly as you travel west. Also try to bring only a few people besides them, demons who can hold a western look that is synonymous to humans that live there. If you all look Japanese or even from the mainland, I fear no westerners will fully trust you. And I feel as if powers working evil things and there are bad times ahead."

Sesshomaru sighed in resignation, nodding, "Very well father. I leave the western palace to your capable hands. Lord knows you know how to keep your territories and mine safe while I'm gone. I will choose a caravan this evening and explain the situation to everyone involved with it. Papers need to be made and a small entourage will need to be made. I will try to be on the road by tomorrow evening and get to the main land by the following morning."

Touga nodded, proud of Sesshomaru having become so proficient and powerful. If only Touga's father was there to add the wisdom he had on the subject. "Perfect. I will make sure to have your mother oversee your estate under my watchful eyes while you're gone. She'll be ecstatic to know you are on this important matter."

Sesshomaru sneered, much more than his normal stoic face, "Fine. But as long as she keeps to only maintaining it with what I have done. And not renovating it to her likes and needs." His mother had become overbearing and outright angry at him for mating Rin centuries ago, but had come to love Rin. Since Touga's return, he and his former lover Inumiki had long discussions. Touga and Inumiki even went a few sessions in the dojo with the latter having thoroughly been humiliated and whatnot during their times there in front of several important officials of her territory, Touga's territories, and Sesshomaru's territory.

Inumiki had mellowed out greatly soon thereafter and her temperament had turned from cold, scornful, snide like, and snarky to quiet, contemplative, wise, and thoughtful. She had had a tantrum when Touga married and mated Kagome so quickly, but like with what happened with Sesshomaru and Rin, she quickly backed off as well and soon had a good relationship with Kagome.

Touga smiled, chuckling at his son's annoyance with his mother, "I will make sure, son. Now get going and get the caravan on the move. We need to see if Kagome is truly alive."

Sesshomaru nodded, "Alright, bye father. Until later."

Touga saluted, "Bye Sess." He watched as Sesshomaru left, lifting off the balcony and flew towards his own territory, hidden by the night's shadow and his own ability to blend into the darkness. These days were not the days of the Inuyouki anymore. While many Inuyouki were still alive, many had gone into hiding or had come to him and Sesshomaru to become their servants and allies. Others had founded a territory in the south under one of his good friends, Ryotsu, who had about the same power as Sesshomaru. Touga sighed, and wished a prayer of safe for his son before he turned back to head inside and joined his younger son and his other children.