Author's Note: Sorry for the late update guys, school strikes down another victim once again -_- This isn't a very exciting chapter, but it is necessary, so please bare with me! I promise you won't be disappointed since I've written this arc over and over again in my head till it was perfect! Oh yeah, GO READ DEAREST BELOVED! I've gotten very little feedback on it, and I would really like all of you Mirrored fans to check it out since it is the PREQUEL to this story! Other than my broken hearted tears T~T, enjoy chapter 24!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to or affiliated with Inuyasha, however this particular story is M-I-N-E! :)

To Understand an Enemy

Three days had passed in the village of the Kitsune, and Ukitake was starting to feel anxious about the approaching battle. She had called a meeting with the shard hunters early that morning to voice her concerns, but Kagome was more disturbed by the uneasy aura Sesshomaru had been letting off since they had joined her. Sesshomaru kept his impassive face as stoic as ever, but the slightest twitching of his eyebrow gave him away.

If he's feeling nervous, then something is definitely wrong…

As Ukitake began to pace in front of them, Kagome cast an uneasy glance at the stiff hanyou. A low growl escaped his throat as he addressed the Kitsune leader. "Why have you called us here?"

Straight and to the point as always, but why is he agitated?

Ukitake gave him a sidelong glance through narrowed eyes as she slowly brought her fan up to cover her painted lips. "I understand your impatience hanyou, but please restrain that tongue of yours in my home." With that said, she turned back to the clan's emblem that covered the large wall in the center of the audience room she had taken the group to.

"The chief of the thunder tribe is a prideful man who boasts of his skills and always charges in for an attack. His sons are the same. Their strong points are their numbers and their physical strength, but their tactics and planning are shameful at best. So tell me," she turned back to the group and gave them her most impressive glare, "why are those buffoons hesitating?!"

"Well, Ukitake-sama, I would imagine they are planning some sort of strategy for an attack," Miroku piped up a bit nervously. "Perhaps they have acquired allies who have convinced them to bide their time?"

Ukitake sighed heavily and said, "Yes, I thought of that, but Boten-sama's pride would never permit him to 'ask' for help."

"Do the Kitsune have many enemies?" Sango asked curiously.

Ukitake place a hand under her chin and replied, "We are a peaceful clan, but sometimes our youngsters' mischief reaches beyond even my knowledge. As far as enemies of the clan itself, there are none save the Thunder tribe, and that is why this puzzles me. Most youkai are too fearful of our clan's power to launch an assault, even if they are allied with the Thunder tribe. Besides, the tribe is not well known for its peaceful negotiations." Ukitake cast her dark green glare upon Sesshomaru. They held each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity, till she spoke with all the authority of her position. "Sesshomaru, you and yours have come to aid my clan in our time of need, but I fear there is more to this conspiracy than I originally believed. Considering your position as protectors of the sacred jewel, I am fully aware that you have many enemies who wish for your demise. If by chance one of your foes has allied himself with the Thunder tribe, then we must be adequately prepared for any and every probable attack."

The group looked at each other a bit nervously until Kikyou asked the question that was on everyone's mind. "Do you think…it's Naraku?"

Sesshomaru closed his eyes and furrowed his brows in concentration. "It is possible."

"Then that's all the more reason we should fight!" Kagome clenched her fist, thinking of the future confrontation.

"I agree with Kagome, but…" Miroku and Sesshomaru exchanged wary looks before Sesshomaru sighed and said, "The situation is inevitable, and it would be futile to turn back."

Kagome watched the two curiously and noticed that Sango and Kikyou looked uneasy as well.

I know fighting Naraku isn't really a "fun" thing to do, but shouldn't they be a bit more excited? I mean, whenever Inuyasha led us into a fight we would be battle-ready and pumped, not gloomy and depressed! Am I missing something here?

"Well I say we find out what's going on!" Shippo said appearing behind them, a look of determination on his boyish face.

"Oh? And how do you propose we do that?" Ukitake asked, challengingly.

"Send me as a spy!" he shouted.

Ukitake and Kagome gasped as both their faces flashed in horror. Ukitake was the first to compose herself before giving him a fierce glare. "Never! You are my successor! If you are killed, our clan is lost!"

"I am the most skilled in transformation! I could easily infiltrate the tribe and find out what's going on!"

"NO! I FORBID IT!" she roared in furry.

Shippo's eyes clouded in darkness before he growled, "You never trust me." As the boy turned, Kagome saw a small tear glisten down his cheek before he disappeared in a flash of blue fire.

Ukitake sighed heavily before speaking sadly, "I've already lost my only son to those devils. I won't lose him too."

Kagome could understand Ukitake's feelings. After all, she practically helped raise Shippo in her world, and seeing the pup in danger always brought fear to her heart. Seeing him now, Kagome finally understood that this Shippo was grown-up. He wasn't her pup, and he could take care of himself just fine. Though she knew this, Kagome still felt the sting of tears blur her eyes.

A tiny hand touched Kagome's knee, and she looked down to find Koga staring at her with big blue eyes full of concern. A small smile appeared on her face before she grabbed the pup and hugged him tight.

"Hey! Don't squeeze so hard woman!" he struggled a bit before relaxing in her arms.

"Thanks Koga," she whispered in his ear, causing the small boy to blush as she squeezed him one last time. The pup gave her a big fanged grin, and Kagome soon found herself smiling brightly in return.

xxx

Sesshomaru watched the sweet exchange between Koga and Kagome in the corner of his eyes. A smile played at his lips, but his apprehension kept it from showing. He only had two days to come up with a plan that would involve the Thunder tribe's defeat followed by a quick trip back to Sota's village. If all went well, then he wouldn't have to worry about his friend's protection, especially Kagome's.

"Sesshomaru, I wish to talk to you privately. Come." Ukitake didn't even wait to see if he was following as she left the audience chamber and made her way to her private room.

Sesshomaru stood and addressed his friends, "We are done here. You may go back to the cave."

"We would not mind waiting on you," Miroku stated hesitantly.

"No, this meeting might take a while." He glanced at Kagome before leaving to follow the kitsune leader.

Once inside her quarters, Ukitake sealed the door with a sound proof barrier, then lounged on her array of pillows. "Tell me Sesshomaru, are your friends aware of your secret?"

"I have confided in them, but why do you need to know?"

"Heh, your mother asked me to keep an eye out for you from time to time. I was just making sure your companions were reliable. Even in death, that woman holds you as her highest priority."

"…Why have you summoned me?"

"Well, I believe it would be in your group's best interest to reside in my house for the time being. I do not know when the tribe will attack, and considering your special circumstances, the best possible solution would be to bide our time here. This palace is imbued with our clan's history in magic. There is no safer place."

Sesshomaru nodded and replied, "I humbly accept your request. You have always been a trustworthy ally of my family, and I promise your generosity will be greatly honored and rewarded."

As he turned to leave, Ukitake spoke. "Sesshomaru…beware the ghosts of the past."

Sesshomaru stopped immediately and quickly turned to face the fox leader.

"Your mother spoke to me in a dream, but that was all she told me. I know nothing more than this."

Ukitake watched him leave until his footsteps could no longer be heard. "Yukina, your son has grown into a fine man, but he has a long road ahead of him if he is to inherit the Moon and the sword."

Other Author Note: Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is some reviews for DEAREST BELOVED. If possible, can you deliver my gift early? Signed, the poor pathetic begging author. (You know I'm desperate if I'm advertising this twice!)