Inuyasha
Love's War
Chapter 5
Beginning of a War
September 3, 2018
Princess Sachi had her ten guards, young Sora, and the luggage she planned to take to the Western Castle and if all went well she would leave those items there in her room for her next visit. It was going to be several hours of travel, so she was eager to get going but her parents kept showering her with useless information on how to keep Shippou happy during her visit. "I got it, can we go now please?" she asked looking at her parents rather irritated with the two of them.
"Of course, dear have a good time and behave properly you are reflecting on our teachings. Set a good example while you are there." Hoshi said with a soft smile just before pulling her eldest daughter into a hug.
"You men will keep my daughter safe or die." Kuro said as he looked over at the guards who all came to attention then bowed to him all ten throats replying "Yes, My Lord." His daughters and his mate were the things on this earth he was willing to kill for as easily as snapping his fingers.
"Father it's an easy walk from here to the Western Castle, don't freak them out before I even get out of the gate." Sachi said as she pulled him into a hug.
Kuro chuckled lightly as he hugged her then kissed her forehead lightly. That young Western Fox had already made a change in his daughter. She had befriended the boy Sora and several more of the staff of whom she had never even spoken too. Also, this chastising him for making the men nervous was new too. She would have expected the comment last year she probably would have even demanded it be said before she left with them. "Have a good time and don't lose that boy." He said softly then released her.
Sachi turned and headed out of through the front gate with her guard and Sora. They followed their selected trail south west heading in as much of a straight line as possible towards the Western Castle without being in the air.
"There is the Western border Princess." One of the guards said as he pointed out some of the border markings ahead of them, he had patrolled this way on many occasions failing to notice once the markings to be turned back rather rudely, in his opinion, by the dog demon of the West.
"Going West are we?" a dog demon said as he jumped down directly into their path ahead of them. He was tall much taller than she ever remembered him and hansom for a dog but his arrogant attitude still lingered around him like a bad odor.
"Prince Hotaru what is it you want?" Sachi asked as he guards got into a defensive stance around her and the young boy Sora as they came to a stop in the middle of the path several feet away from Hotaru.
"It's Lord actually." Hotaru said with a smirk on his face holding out a hand for her to take it and come to him.
"When did you find a mate and who is she? Since that is the Southern Laws of the Land I can only assume you've found your mate." Sachi asked slightly irritated this boy had always been a pain in her rear ever since he was able to walk he had chased after her anytime he came North of she went South.
"Oh, my dear Sachi there could be only you for that position." Hotaru said silkily as he made to step closer to her then stopped at the sound of steel hissing as it left scabbards.
"Prince Hotaru that position will remain vacant as I am on my way to see my intended so if you would get out of my way that would be fantastic." Sachi said putting an emphasis on Prince staring at this man like he was a huge slug just walking around leaving a slime trail everywhere.
"Then you need to only walk a few more feet my dear." Hotaru said silkily with a sweet smile on his lips which quickly turned into a smirk. "Unless you want all these people to die." He said motioning out his men to surround her group. Like his old tactics he had hidden his men up wind and they were outnumbered.
"Don't do it Princess, Master Shippou awaits you. This dog won't let us leave even if you join him now." The same guard from earlier said not taking his eyes off Hotaru the others wouldn't move without his say so.
"Ah very perceptive of you." Hotaru said with a smirk as he raised his hand then snapped his fingers.
"Protect the Princess." The guard yelled as he deflected the first attack then attacked back killing the demon who was thrown off balance when his stroke didn't strike home.
"Princess I'm scared." Sora said as he huddled up next to her holding a small dagger in his tiny trembling hands.
"No worried little one I have you stay close to me." Sachi said holding her own dagger out in front of her. "Fox fire." She said as she aimed her fox magic at Hotaru who jumped up into the trees away from the attack easily.
"Go Princess we will protect your retreat." Her lead guard said as he reorganized his men to use their magic to form a fox fire barrier.
The barrier now blocking the way home she had no choice but to run heading for the Western Castle and her intended Shippou in hopes of making it far enough to trigger the Western guards into action. "Right come along Sora." Sachi said as she is running very un-lady like as she held on to the boy's hand. Within a few minutes she could hear the dull sounds of fighting again behind them growing fainter by the second.
"You think I will let you get away that easily?" Hotaru said in a crazed voice as he jumped down out of the trees after them swinging his sword.
Sora cried out as he dropped his dagger and his arm hung uselessly beside him. "Run Sora, go get Shippou I'm counting on you it's not much farther." Sachi said as she pulled the boy ahead of her and shoved him forward. She stopped spun around holding her dagger up defensively.
"Shippou… that's who you're going to see. That useless welp of the fox what a waste of time. He's a no body, no lands to his name I'm a much better suited for you my dear." Hotaru said and laughed at his own private joke.
Sachi glanced back at the retreating form of Sora for a brief second before returning her attention back to Hotaru. "You're a sick excuse for a demon Hotaru, I've never liked you, never wanted you, and I will never mate with you so leave me alone." She said viciously as she glared at the dog demon in front of her. Her father would be furious and would start a war to get her back but would Shippou want her still she wondered briefly.
"Such low opinion of me how about I kill your little servant boy?" Hotaru said with a smirk on his face then he was past her in a flash going after the young boy. Sachi turned and with her superior speed tackled him to the ground after several seconds of tussling around on the ground she ended up trying to use her dagger to kill him since she had landed on top she was using her body weight to bear down towards his neck.
"You'll never touch him so long as I'm alive." Sachi said as she tried so hard to kill this demon, but he was easily keeping her at bay.
"Ah such spirit." Hotaru said with a wicked smirk on his face then balled up his fist and punched her right across the face. "You'll be mine or you'll be no one's." he said as she slumped over unconscious beside him. He stood up watched the boy running down the path terrified blood dripping from his wounds then decided if he even survived to the Western Castle it would be a miracle and no threat, he shrugged them picked up the limp form of Princess Sachi and took to the trees heading South blowing a whistle to tell him men he was done.
Sora ran terrified out of his mind and ashamed that he had left his Princess. Tears streaming down his face as he held his wounded arm trying to stem the flow of blood. A huge castle loomed in the distance getting closer and closer, so he began screaming "Master Shippou help! Master Shippou help!"
"Woah… young one calm down." A beautiful dog demon said as she jumped down off the guard wall. "What's going on?" she asked curiously. 'This is a sword wound on a fox boy coming from the North.' The woman thought worried as she glanced up towards where the boy had come from to find no one behind him.
"Need…Master Shippou..." Sora got out just before collapsing in her arms unconscious.
"Get the Doctor." Himeko yelled up at the guards watching over the wall. One of them nodded then took off into the castle.
"What's the hurry?" Kagome asked curiously as one of the guards ran into the castle.
"A young fox boy just showed up injured My Lady I'm going for Dr. Tadashi as Himeko ordered." He said then continued on his way when Kagome turned and hurried out of the castle as fast as her pregnant little feet could take her.
"Himeko what's going on?" Kagome said making out of the gate in no time noticing her mate was making his way towards her from his study like he always did when she roamed around the castle.
"I'm not sure My Lady. He just showed up said he needed Master Shippou then collapsed." Himeko said as she laid the boy down looking back up at Kagome worried.
Kagome looked back at her mate just coming out of the castle he was obviously just following her trail like usual cause he was in no hurry. "He's not going to like this." She mumbled to herself as she kneeled putting her hands out to the young boy's wounds closed her eyes and concentrated letting her pink light surround the boy's injuries.
"My Lady we have Tadashi coming please stop." Himeko said worried for Kagome and her pups.
"What's going on?" Shippou asked confused as he dropped out of the trees from the south and walked over to them curiously. "Sora…what happened?" he asked worried as he looked around for Sachi.
"What do you think you are doing?" Sesshomaru asked irritated as he walked up to his mate with a frown on his face she was the most reckless person he had ever met.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" Kagome said irritated without taking her attention off the boy's wounds. She used her powers for a few more minutes then stopped when the boy started to come around.
"Master…Shippou…" Sora said groggily as he pried his eyes open to see the two women in front of him looking down at him worried.
"Sora what happened?" Shippou asked softly as he kneeled beside the boy.
"Master Shippou…She's…she's been taken…You must save…her please…Master Shippou…" Sora said with pleading eyes as he looked over weakly at his friend.
"Sachi was taken by who?" Shippou asked worried as he looked down the path heading North to see no signs of trouble.
"South…Prince…" Sora managed before falling unconscious again. Before anyone could move Shippou was gone heading North to find the trail then kill that bastard once and for all.
Shippou traveled for nearly an hour at his top speed to find the battle with ten Northern Guards dead strewn across the path they had selected in odd angles, one was even cut into two pieces. He sniffed the air he could smell a faint sent of dog lingering in the area, but it wasn't leading him in a direction. "Damn you Hotaru." He growled out then took off towards the Northern Castle.
"Ah Master Shippou is something wrong?" the guard at the Northern Castle gate said as he stepped out to greet Shippou then a worried look came across his face the boy was out of breath and obviously in a hurry. "Come along Master Shippou this way." He said leading the boy across the castle grounds, into the castle, and to the Northern Lords Study quickly.
Shippou regained enough of his breath to finally say "Thanks." As he pushed the door open to the Northern Lords Study. Just like in the West he felt this problem needed less protocol and more action. "Lord Kuro we need to talk." He said walking into the room without being announced.
"Shippou what are you doing here?" Kuro asked slightly irritated this boy was supposed to be with his daughter in the West and he had ignored all protocol by just barging into his study like that.
"Has Sachi returned here by some miracle?" Shippou asked worried as he stopped right in front of Kuro's desk.
"Of course, she hasn't. She's supposed to be in the West with you." Kuro said narrowing his eyes at this boy, perhaps he was wrong to trust him with his daughter.
"The only one to arrive at the Western Castle was Sora. Sachi is missing and ten guards are dead this side of the boarder. Sora was badly wounded and could only get out she had been taken South Prince before losing consciousness." Shippou said angrily his aura pulsating slightly in his current mood it was hard to keep a tight hold on it like normal.
"Damn it to hell." Kuro said standing out of his chair quickly. "You pull my army together now. And you go back to Sesshomaru and formally request his help for me." He said walking around his desk, so he could go tell his mate.
"No." Shippou said his eyes dark and hidden in the shadow of his hair Kuro turned to him angrily to yell at the boy then stopped wondering what was going on in the boy's mind. "I'm going south and I'm going to kill Hotaru." He said looking up at Kuro to see the hatred in the boy's eyes.
"Be reasonable. He's probably too far ahead now to catch him before he gets behind his palace walls. We will need an army to bring him to his knees. You must go and gather Sesshomaru's forces." Kuro said as he laid a hand on this young man's arm
"You don't know that." Shippou bit out angrily as he turned and started for the door.
"Kit, I've lived longer than all the other Lords you must trust my judgment and do as I say, or all is lost. We must act quickly and without waisted time." Kuro said looking at the boy understanding his rage feeling it himself but to act rashly would get them all killed and that wouldn't do at all.
Shippou hadn't been called a kit in a long time and it jarred him to a halt in his steps. He thought about what Kuro had said then reflected on Sesshomaru's teaching silently for several minutes. "As you wish Lord Kuro." He said then walked out of the office then out of the castle quickly and headed West.
After a couple hours hard travel, he walked into the Western Castle after seeing that Sesshomaru had already gathered his closest men plus half the garrison here at the castle and they were all going over their gear readying for battle. He smiled then walk down the hall heading for Sesshomaru's study there were unrecognized energies in his office along with Inuyasha, Himeko, Tsubaki, and Kagome. He pushed the door open and walked in "Sesshomaru-Sama." He said softly from the door glancing around at everyone there to see Lady Tatsu and a guard of the South which automatically drew his hand to his sword angrily his rage returning they had no right being here.
"No Shippou." Kagome said urgently as she rushed to her adopted son and put her hand on his sword the other under his chin to draw his attention to her. "She came here seeking our assistance in retaking her palace." She said softly seeing the anger dye in his eyes as he glanced over at Tatsu who had stood to face him with no weapon on her side he glanced over to Sesshomaru who nodded to him and he relaxed releasing his hand off the hilt of his sword.
"As I was saying Lord Sesshomaru I believe I can still talk sense into the boy I would prefer to not cause my son's death." Tatsu said turning from Shippou back to Sesshomaru then back to Shippou when he snorted.
"You do what you want, if I cross swords with him I'm going to kill him." Shippou said angrily then turned and stormed out of the study.
"Shippou…" Kagome said reproachfully as she went to walk after him to find Tatsu's hand on her arm gently holding her in place.
"I understand his feelings Lady Kagome. My son has been an absolute nuisance in his life and now taking his betrothed I do not blame him for his anger. I trust Lord Sesshomaru you will do your best to keep him in check." Tatsu said softly to Kagome then turned to Sesshomaru curiously.
"He will do as he is told. Be that to keep that blasted pup of yours alive or not is up to Hotaru. If he tries to kill what is mine he shall not be spared in a fight to the death." Sesshomaru assured her his eyes telling her that even himself would kill her pup if it came to it. "The Northern Lord is now also involved being that he has taken his oldest daughter hostage." He said with a sigh as he stood up.
"Not as a hostage I'm afraid." Tatsu said sadly as she looked around at the others who had curious looks on their faces needing her to explain. "He wants her as his mate, he always has." She said then heard a stunned grunt from the doorway and turned to see Shippou had returned.
"He what?" Shippou said angrily shaking slightly this was his future mate they were discussing like it was nothing. "Sesshomaru we have to stop him." He said looking over to his father figure his eyes pleading.
"We'll save her Shippou." Kagome said softly as she looked up at him watching him fall apart was worse than watching him fight to the death.
"We need to get the North and East together to storm the Southern Palace quickly." Himeko said stepping up to Sesshomaru's desk.
"Lord Kuro sent me home to request your assistance in rescuing his daughter." Shippou said his hands in fists at his side as he tried to remain in control. The call deep inside him was telling him to run save her even if it cost his life but the training drilled into him by Sesshomaru told him to stand still and await orders.
"Inuyasha gather the East hurry." Sesshomaru said over to his brother who nodded then walked out by Shippou putting his hand on his shoulder lightly then squeezed then continued on his way
"Your pup has already signed his death warrant Lady Tatsu if he lays a hand on her neither the North nor the West will let him live." Lady Tsubaki said in warning to the Lady of the South to steel her for the war that was to come.
"I understand." Tatsu said sadly as she fought back the urge to cry. Her son had stepped in it now starting a new war just like her mate had done so long ago.
"Shippou gather the guards in our Southern garrison and surrounding area. Listen to me carefully do not advance on the South wait for our arrival with the main army. Your orders are to gather my forces, guard the boarder, and watch our enemy undersood?" Sesshomaru said noticing the restraint the boy was using but it wouldn't hold for long he needed a task to handle.
"Yes sir." Shippou said then turned and sprinted along the hall then out of the castle towards the boarder garrison he had just left that morning.
"You my mate will remain in the castle under constant guard." Sesshomaru said stepping around his desk and over to his mate.
"Yes, my mate." Kagome said softly placing a hand on her belly looking down at her growing pups then up at her mate to meet his amazing amber eyes.
"Himeko, mother you are in charge of the castle when I am not here you are to insure her safety at all times. Hotaru is a tricky bastard don't let him get the better of you by being up wind." Sesshomaru said turning to Himeko and Tsubaki.
"I'll take care of that part." Kagome said with a hard look in her eyes when Sesshomaru spun back around to her narrowing his eyes at her.
"You'll do no such thing." Sesshomaru said glaring down at his mate who loved to go against his orders.
"He can't avoid my powers Sesshomaru." Kagome said as she looked up at him confused it was their best defense.
"You are with pup Kagome. You are to use your powers only for defense as a last resort." Sesshomaru said needing her to understand he couldn't bear to lose these pup's like they had ten years ago.
"I'll be careful my love, trust me." Kagome said softly as she reached up and stroked the stripe on his cheek gently with a soft smile on her lips.
"We will have the castle secure and protected my son, do not worry about us here we shall be on guard." Tsubaki said with a small smile on her lips he was being over protective there was no way with her and Himeko here plus half a garrison that anyone could get into the castle.
"Fine, Himeko fill my mother in on the previous war with Taka and Hotaru." Sesshomaru said glancing over at Himeko then looked at the door as a guard burst into the room slightly out of breath.
"My Lord a Western Village was attacked along the Southern border." A messenger said as he barged into the meeting knowing if he had delayed the message Sesshomaru would have been beyond pissed.
"Damn he's moving fast." Sesshomaru said the walked out of the room by his mate.
"Wait." Kagome said as she chased after him catching his hand. He stopped and turned to her. "You be careful." Kagome said as she wrapped her arms around her mate's neck pulling herself up close to him.
"I will, you stay in the safety of the castle." Sesshomaru said softly in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close inhaling her sent. "I must go." He said softly then pulled away and walked away down the hall to leave the castle.
"Oji lets go." Tatsu said as she grabbed her sword from her guard then took off after Sesshomaru in hopes that with her presence her people would back down.
