Inuyasha
Love's War
Chapter 6
Assemble the Army
September 12, 2018
Shippou had made it back to the garrison close to the Southern boarder to find it mostly deserted. "What's going on?" he demanded of the few guards standing up on the walls.
"Master Shippou a village was attacked not long ago the garrison went to reinforce the border." The demon on the wall said as he came to attention.
"Was it the South?" Shippou asked curiously as he jumped up onto the wall and looked out over the terrain.
"No idea Master Shippou the report came in from a human peasant before dying not far from the garrison." The guard said as he turned to look out over the area again himself.
"And Lord Sesshomaru has been informed?" Shippou asked curiously looking around and noticing that there was only a half dozen on guard right now.
"Of course, Master Shippou." The guard said glancing over at this boy half his age and was slightly irritated to take orders from this fox. But adopted son of his Lord had precedence over a simple guard.
"Very well then we have orders from Lord Sesshomaru. Let's gather what's left of the guard here." Shippou said then turned and jumped down off the wall heading for the main building that would be for Sesshomaru's use if he ever came down to this fortified garrison. This was nothing like the Western Castle this was a fort build to withstand battle all practical no beauty to it at all.
After several minutes the rest of the men and women still left in the garrison were formed up in front of the main building awaiting their orders from Shippou. He walked out of the main building and stood tall looking around at the 2 dozen members of the garrison that were off duty then glanced up at the walls to make sure the others remained attentive at their posts. "The Southern Prince Hotaru has done a hostile takeover of the Southern Palace. He has taken Princess Sachi, my intended, hostage. The West and North have joined forces, so we must now gather our army for battle once again. Our orders from Lord Sesshomaru are to gather the entire southern portion of our army, secure the border, and keep surveillance on our enemy and await our lord's arrival with the rest of our army." He said as he stood there with his hands folded behind his back just above his tail to keep himself from fidgeting.
"Master Shippou most of our current compliment is already at the border what we have here is the bare minimum to keep the garrison manned." One of the men braver than the others said from the middle of the pack.
"My plan is to send six of you out to recruit those that are close by passing your mission on to them then returning here to the garrison immediately. My presence here should subdue most who have the audacity to attack this garrison head on, that will give us several hours to get a head start." Shippou said looking around at the warriors curiously. "Any volunteers?" he asked curiously then smiled when the whole garrison stepped forward. "I appreciate your enthusiasm. Who are the six fastest that are here at this moment?"
Six stepped forward, stood tall and proud for Shippou's inspection 3 dog demons, rabbit demon, deer demon, and a dragon demon. "Very well you six will convey this message to those that are closest to this garrison that they are to repeat to the others. "We are on high alert, war with the south unavoidable report to your duty stations immediately." That is the quickest and shortest message for them to convey to the rest of this portion of the army." Shippou said as he stepped down in front of the six that were ready to leave on his order.
"Has the South already attacked?" the dragon asked curiously when Shippou stopped in front of her, she was tall, dark, and beautiful with wings folded neatly on her back. He could see hits of scales hidden under her armor. He turned and walked back up to the top of the stairs, so he could see everyone, and they could see and hear him.
"It is unknown at this time if the South has already attacked, but it's more than likely. When I left the Castle earlier today to return here there had been no reports at that time. We may see Lord Sesshomaru sooner rather than later if the South has already attacked beyond our borders. Everyone is to stay alert and get this mission done as fast as possible our security and our honor is at stake. We are the Western Lands, we will defend what is ours, and we will make fools pay dearly for their transgressions!" Shippou said as he pulled his sword dramatically at the end of his speech getting 3 dozen cheers and growls of approval. "You six on your way the rest of you as you were." He said then sheathed his sword, turned around, and walked back into the main building thinking about the front line. When the six returned he would have to send word to the commander on the border to keep his men there until further notice right now his first priority was to gather the southern half of the army and quickly.
Throughout the night men and women from the Southern portions of Sesshomaru's army began trickling in dressed and ready for battle. It was late into the night when the gate guard issued a challenge to unknown demons heading for the gate causing them to stand still where they were. With the moon sliding down through its arc and the uncertain light the guard had no idea who was approaching the fort, so he had a fellow guard go retrieve Shippou.
Shippou hadn't been asleep he was keeping watch over the army assembling so it was easy to get Shippou to the gate with information of unknown demons approaching. He sniffed the air curiously the sent in the air was familiar but most of the scents around here were familiar it seemed that Sesshomaru loved to send him down here on missions, so he knew almost everyone in this garrison if only by a few mere words being spoken. He jumped up on the wall overlooking the area around looking at the demons standing patiently a couple yards away from the gate.
"What do you think Master Shippou?" the demon on guard at the gate asked curiously as he squinted to see the enemy or friend trying to decide which would be the accurate description.
"Not sure this light isn't the best, but their scent is familiar." Shippou said as he glanced around at the guards on the wall, everyone was tense he could tell. "I'll be back." He said as he stepped closer to the wall to jump over it to go meet the demons.
"Master Shippou you mustn't it could be a trap." The young guard said as he instinctively reached out and grabbed Shippou's arm to make him stop.
"If it is it's a very small trap. We'll never know until we go find out now will we. We can't have this stale mate for too long we have other soldiers coming in expecting to find a warm welcome. I'll be fine don't worry about me." Shippou said with a warm smile then shook the guards hand off and jumped over the wall moving fast with in a minute he was a few feet from the demons in question. "You?" he said confused looking at the two of them.
"You will address My Lady properly young fox." Oji said irritated at the boy he had been against coming here since the boy had been hostile earlier this evening.
"She's not My Lady." Shippou said sarcastically raising an eyebrow at the guard who growled at him in answer. Shippou ignored the guards obvious challenge to return his attention back to the woman beside him. "Lady Tatsu why are you here this is a Western Garrison house." He said wondering what was going on and why she had come here.
"I suggestion to your Lord Sesshomaru that I stay close to the border to possibly deter some of my men." Tatsu said as she stood there patiently awaiting for Shippou to allow her entry into the garrison fort.
"The Western Castle would be more comfortable for you Lady Tatsu." Shippou said hoping this woman would go away, her son was a constant thorn in everyone's side and it was easy to transfer his hatred of the boy to his mother.
"Comfort like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Comfort would be in my own palace dear boy not in Sesshomaru's castle and definitely not here in this small fort. I am here with the blessings of your Lord may we continue this inside?" Tatsu said motioning towards the garrison which she noticed had more guards on the wall now that Shippou was outside.
"Very well." Shippou said irritated as he stepped to the side and motioned them towards the fort then turned and walked away assuming they would take the hint to follow him. His tail giving his irritation away as it twitched from side to side, that had been one of the quarks even Sesshomaru hadn't been able to drill out of him.
Tatsu walked into the fortified wall then through the compound and into he main building behind Shippou. This young man interested her he was emotional like Kagome but stiff and unbending like Sesshomaru. "Young one I mean you no harm I'm here by request of Lord Sesshomaru for two reasons, the first of which I have already discussed with you." She said softly as she stood in front of a giant desk that Shippou had taken over.
"And the second reason?" Shippou asked annoyed as he glanced up at her from behind his desk she had called him young one that was unacceptable to him considering this was his garrison at the moment, these were the Western Lands, and she was a guest here.
"I am here to explain something neglected in your training of mating." Tatsu said as she folded her hands neatly in front of body as she watched him closely.
"Neglected?" Shippou said outraged she was standing there insulting his family. "Look Lady you have no right to say that Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Kagome didn't neglect any of my training." He said angrily as he glared at her.
"Kit mind your tone." Oji said advancing a couple paces in front of his Lady with his hand on his sword.
"Bring it on old man." Shippou said angrily as he switched his glare over to Oji with his own hand on his sword.
"Enough Oji outside please." Tatsu said as she laid a hand on his shoulder gently.
"Yes, My Lady." Oji said and bowed his head to her then glared over at Shippou daring him to step out of line again. He turned and left the room standing guard outside.
"Young one I was asked to convey this to you, this isn't something I've deemed you were lacking." Tatsu said softly as she returned her attention back to a seething Shippou.
"Lady Tatsu my name is Shippou. Get on with whatever you are going to say then get out of my office." Shippou said angrily wanting this woman out of his face, his anger at Hotaru rubbing off yet again on the boy's mother.
"Of course I apologize Shippou it was not my intent to alienate you. My son cannot force Princess Sachi to mate with him. Even if he bed her, her body would reject any would be pups and she would remain unmated, my son knows this so it is unlikely that he will even try. Lord Sesshomaru told me he hadn't covered that aspect of mating with you and requested I give you that information to keep you from rushing in to try and rescue her." Tatsu said softly trying to defuse Shippou's anger. "My guess is he will center all his attacks on the West in hopes of killing you, proving he is stronger, and giving Sachi no reason to hold back from him, to break her of her will." She said as she watched him take this information in.
"The trauma inflicted on Sachi will be repaid in full and I will not die so easily." Shippou said as he looked up at Tatsu his anger gone and a determined look in his eyes. A look that no enemy ever wishes to see one that promises the most pain and retribution possible.
"I understand Shippou, but may I make a request?" Tatsu asked curiously and when he nodded she continued. "Please remember he is all the family I have left, if you can bear it in your heart to spear the poor stupid boy that would please me beyond words. But I understand in the heat of battle if it is to be you or him I will hold no grudge the boy brought this on himself." She said softly with a sad look in her eyes one that promised Shippou that she would be devastated at the death of her only son.
"I will make no promises either way. If he tries to kill me, my family, or my intended Sachi I will kill him without hesitation. If he surrenders or I find a way to incapacitate him I will spare him for you to do with as you please. He is a menace please understand that he has helped bring these lands to war twice now it would be no catastrophe if he ends up dead." Shippou said sadly as he looked at this woman before him. If he killed her son she would have to start over find a new mate or the succession of the South would be in chaos.
~*~*~*~ Western Castle ~*~*~*~
Kagome sat on the bottom step of the stairs uncomfortably, Hikaru had been standing guard at his mother's side most of the night he didn't understand her unwillingness to go to bed. His father was more than capable of taking care of himself in battle he was actually slightly upset that he hadn't been taken along, what was the point of all that training if he's just a pup and unfit for battle? So, he chose to stand guard over his mother to prove he was worthy of a fight but being the pup he is, fell asleep after several hours resting up against her legs, snoring softly, holding his sword like Inuyasha always did on the practice field as he watched the others drill Hikaru.
Himeko stood across from Kagome against the dinning hall wall with two other guards just inside the front door and two others at the bottom of the stairs to protect their slumbering Lady. The change in the Western Castle was all due to this one Human. Their master had always had a short fuse for anything he had deemed imperfect but now he took failure in a better stride instructed them how to fix said failure then let them do it again. Not to say his leniency was extremely long but it was a happier place without the threat of death for one small mistake every castle guard was willing to die for Kagome if the need arose.
Kagome's dream was slightly disturbing as her mate walked through destroyed village with homes smoldering and debris everywhere. A small child's panda doll stuck out in her mind as her mate turned the corner to find it laying there not far from the deceased owner, a small human girl laying in a pool of her own blood with a part of a house wall laying across her small body. Sesshomaru frowned as he continued to walk through the debris looking for survivors but finding none and he growled out angrily catching the scent of his prey heading east back towards the border between the West and the South. He took off quickly leaving the village behind passing through the forest faster than the Human eye could keep up then he was suddenly fighting. It was a small raiding party no more than ten of them which made them easy pray for him killing all but one and picking him up off the ground by the throat. "You will tell Hotaru that he will stay out of the Western Lands, and he is to return Princess Sachi immediately." He growled out as he flung the last guard back across the border into the Southern Lands.
Sesshomaru walked into the castle his nose leading him to his sleeping mate before his eyes had adjusted to the brightness of the torches inside the castle. A soft smile touched his lips as he looked at her asleep just like all those years ago and he looked down at his blood covered self and sighed.
"It's all ready for you Lord Sesshomaru." Himeko whispered with a small smile on her lips as she motioned back out of the castle.
"Hn." Sesshomaru grumbled then turned and left the castle. He should have known she would be there at the bottom of the stairs, but he figured with her pregnancy she would just await his return in their comfortable room. He would have to do something to make her more comfortable if she insisted on waiting for him.
After just a few minutes he walked back into the castle cleaned. He frowned down at his son as he walked over to his mate. "Hikaru wake up." He said tapping the boy's foot with his own lightly.
"Father." Hikaru said happily as he stood up then noticed he had fallen asleep and he frowned. "Sorry, I was trying to stand guard." He said sadly at his own failure.
"Off to bed my son." Sesshomaru said softly as he put his hand on the boy's head then turned him up the stairs.
"Yes sir." Hikaru said sadly then started up the stairs with defeat written in every line of his posture, he had failed his father and there was no way he would be allowed to go out into battle with him now.
"Come along my mate." Sesshomaru said softly as he lifted her up cradling her to him. He inhaled her sent then carried her up the stairs.
"Do you think he'll listen?" Kagome asked sleepily as she glanced up at her mate as he carried her up the stairs.
"Of course, Hikaru will listen." Sesshomaru said softly glancing down at her with his amber eyes catching for a brief moment her confused look.
"Hotaru. Do you think he will stay out of the West and give Sachi back?" Kagome asked as she stared up at him curiously.
"Hn. I doubt it he's an idiot." Sesshomaru said as he topped the stairs and turned into the West wing his mind never questioning how she knew what he had said to that final guard. "You should just sleep in our room my mate you would be more comfortable." He said scolding her softly as he glanced back down at her with his amber eyes locking with her blue sweet depths.
"But it would take longer to see you." Kagome said softly as she curled up into his chest with a sweet smile on her lips as one of her hands rubbed her swollen belly.
Sesshomaru sighed at his mate, he would never win against that logic. The guard standing outside their rooms opened the door to let them inside. He slid through the open door with ease noticing the guard standing by the balcony doorway then moved over into their bedroom. He put Kagome down on the bed then checked the window to make sure it was secured and closed their bedroom door so that he could join his mate in bed.
Kagome curled up to Sesshomaru sighing with contentment as she wrapped her arms around his and her legs around one of his. "I love you." She said softly as she laid her head against the arm she was holding.
"I love you too." Sesshomaru said as he let his tail drape over her to keep her warm he could feel her belly against his hand and he smiled softly. He began rubbing her belly gently with the back of his fingers. 'Four more months at least.' He thought as he looked down at her with his amber eyes noticing her slow and even breathing that she had gone back to sleep, so he leaned over slightly to kiss her forehead gently.
