A/N: Thank you to KitElizaKing and Dragon and Sword Master for their reviews of the last chapter. And thank you to anyone who put this or its author on their lists. My schedule finally calmed down enough for me to get this written. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha and Bleach characters, manga, anime, movies, etc. They belong by copyright laws to Rumiko Takahashi et al, and Tite Kubo et al, respectively.
Secrets Abound
Gathering Together
Yoruichi and Soi Fon were waiting for them in the penthouse when they returned to Kirara's. Although a bit perturbed that the two Shinigami had just waltzed right in, the nekomata let it slide as she had other fish to fry. One look at the other women told her that they had found the elusive Naraku and didn't have good news to share.
Gouyen and Odeserundiye stared at the covert soldiers with unease, their feathers bristled in agitation. "Kirara, who are these women?" Gouyen asked.
"Shinigami," her friend answered. "The shorter of the two is Captain Soi Fon, a superior of Rukia Kuchiki's, while the other is Yoruichi Shihoin. I have gathered that she is a former covert operative of the Shinigami that still helps them on occasion."
"Eh, close enough," the purple haired woman commented. "We've found his lair," Yoruichi continued. "And it's definitely a lair. He's using the massive transit system as a hiding place. The tunnels underground are extensive and the bastard has made the most of their confusing layout."
"Which means we will have to lure him out if we want an advantage. Most of our powers are not for close combat," Ishida put in. "Kurosaki alone could collapse the tunnels if he used Zangetsu properly. Chad's is troublesome as well."
"You are correct, human," Gouyen agreed. "Our lightning attacks could accidently hit a conduit or subway track and either electrocute someone or take out a citywide block of electricity."
"We need close combat weapons only," Kirara murmured, almost to herself. Turning to the teens, she gazed at them critically. "Do you suppose you could use taijiya weapons? I know Sango only showed them to you once, however…"
"Hisana-san let Rukia and I borrow a set of swords while on the island. If we were given something similar, we might be able to direct our spiritual energy through them without using our big attacks."
"You might," Ishida mused. "However, I do not think simple sword play will take down this Naraku person," he mused. "No, our best bet is to lure him above ground and away from crowded areas. We only need to figure out the best way to do that."
"This city is nothing but crowded," Soi Fon groused. "Except for that giant swath of green near the center…"
"You're brilliant, little bee," Yoruichi praised, ignoring the blush the words caused. "Now all we have to do is get him there."
"That should not be too much trouble," Odeserundiye said, adding something for the first time. "Gouyen can ask to meet him there. He won't think it odd as we've never met in the same place twice. She can tell him that his temporary shard isn't doing what he promised and that she wants another for me. Or something of that like. Since we've only ever dealt with him directly, he should come without much protest."
Callen watched his mate mull over the idea, her ruby eyes closed in concentration. Her tails gave away her unease and he knew that she didn't like leaving so much to chance. "Kirara, love?"
"If we had more time to plan, it would be better, but we do not. Every instinct screams that our time is nearly up. At least at Central Park we can use our powers without fear of bringing down the tunnels and the streets above. A few statues might bite the dust, but it is a small price to pay for saving the world. I will inform Sesshoumaru of this and then we will begin. Odeserundiye, tell your men to begin sealing off the park to innocent bystanders. We do not want others getting hurt."
"As you wish," he answered, and had several of the human children looking at him in surprise. "One bows to the wisdom of ones' elders," he intoned.
"Should have done that earlier," Tatsuki muttered. "What do you want the rest of us to do? We don't have any actual powers and would likely just get in the way."
"You will stay here with Callen and protect Watanabe-san," Kirara directed. "It's best if she is not out in the open."
"But will I be safe? Naraku must have heard rumors or reports of Shinigami wandering around looking for something. Surely, he won't think it a coincidence. Plus, you were there to take me in when my place was broken into. It's likely that he's tracked your place down and has people watching."
"He did," Soi Fon, answered. "We took care of them this morning before they figured out who lives here. The downside of using only reanimated lackeys is that once the source of the animation is removed, there's no one to do the work for you."
"I will stay with Callen-san and the kids," Yoruichi volunteered. "Soi Fon's Zanpakutou could come in handy and as she's an expert in close combat, taking her with you will be a plus. Not to mention having a legitimate captain there will smooth things over should the Central Forty-Six get it into their heads to complain."
"Central Forty-Six?" several voices chorused.
"It's the Soul Society's governing body. They're not at full strength as the original group was killed by Aizen but those that are there like to interfere in Yamamoto's business." The ex-captain shrugged to show that the others shouldn't worry.
"The Soul Society's really like a whole different world," Akira said in awe.
"One which you do not need to go to yet," Rukia said, her phrasing making it clear that it was the last thing she wanted to happen. "Do you wish us to go all at once, Kirara-san?"
"It would be preferable. Can you mask your presence?" the cat demon asked distractedly. She was currently dialing Sesshoumaru's number.
"Inoue-san and Sado have had some practice thanks to Yoruichi-san, and the Shinigami are taught it during their training. I am quite adept at it but Kurosaki…"
"I leak spiritual energy like a sieve."
"I've noticed," the woman said dryly. "And you cannot rein it in."
"I haven't had much practice trying or needing to until now. When we were on the island, we pretended that we didn't know we had powers but if everyone but me hides theirs, Naraku's going to know we're setting a trap for him." Ichigo grimaced apologetically. He was about verbalize his regret when he noticed that the adults were gazing towards the doors to the outside rooftop. "Ah…"
"Gouyen, tell me that is not a ball of light speeding towards my glass doors."
"I cannot do so."
"Blasted dog," Kirara muttered and ran to the fragile portals. Throwing them open, she got out of the way when the ball of light made a beeline for her living room.
Sesshoumaru appeared out of the light, his thunderous countenance frightening most of the teenagers. "You have found her," he intoned, gold eyes narrowing on Akira.
"We did, and as you can see, she is safe. I was trying to call you to tell you about what is about to happen, but you were not picking up. Tell me you did not use your powers to fly here from Japan."
"I did not. I went ahead of the others from the airport."
"The whole lot of you are here?" Kirara questioned. The pitch of her voice rose significantly, making Sesshoumaru almost flinch.
"They desired to see an end to this," the daiyoukai stated. He moved closer to Akira, making the poor woman nervous. "You are her," he said.
"That would be incorrect, Lord Sesshoumaru," Rukia admonished. "A soul is cleansed of all its memories when it passes into the reincarnation cycle. Watanabe-san might have the same soul as your daughter, but she is not the same person. It would do her a grave disservice if you treated her otherwise."
"The scent of her soul is the same. However, you are correct, Shinigami. She is not my Rin. Just the same, I would be dishonoring my pup if I did not protect her soul in this life as well."
Akira studied the demon lord in front of her, understanding why the nekomatas had said that the eagles were not as "badass" as the man standing in front of her. "You seem familiar to me, sir," she said. "Have we met before?"
"No," Sesshoumaru answered bluntly but there was a kindness in the tone of his voice that had been lacking thus far. "It is likely your soul remembering me on a level deeper than your human memories. My sword once saved Rin's life and thus a connection was forged."
"Tenseiga," Akira whispered, and jumped when the sword responded by rattling in its sheath. Sesshoumaru laid a hand against it, the fang settling at its master's touch.
"Indeed. Enough, we will discuss that later. Now, Kirara, tell me what plan I must know about."
"Impatient, much?" the nekomata asked on a sigh. "You pups and kittens will be the death of me. Very well. Do I need to stop for introductions?"
'No," Soi Fon snapped.
"At least I can skip that," she muttered. Kirara nodded her head in thanks when Chad shut the doors to the outside and began to tell the dog demon what he needed to know. The teens and other warriors present listened with half an ear, already knowing the plan up to now.
"You cannot hide your energy?" Sesshoumaru questioned Ichigo.
"Nope. Thought that would have been in the report you had on me."
"I believed you chose not to," the demon emperor returned.
"I choose not to seal Zangetsu. Not that I'd know how to even if I did want to. I've been a Substitute Shinigami for less than a year. There hasn't been a whole lot of training in anything but combat during that time."
"A shame. It means we must wait for Kagome. She will be able to hide your presence with her powers. Unless…" Sesshoumaru turned his golden gaze back on Akira.
"Don't look at me. I haven't really been trained either."
Kirara, sensing an end to the dog demon's patience, placed a clawed hand on his arm. "It is best we wait until the others arrive. Your brother's going to want in on the action anyway and you know he'll just complain if you leave him out of it. In the meantime, perhaps Gouyen can set up at meet at the park for after dark. Then we can study a map of the park in detail for the best strategy. You always feel better with a plan, Sesshoumaru."
Hn. A plan is a must."
"Finally, an expert," Ishida muttered. Gold eyes cut to him immediately, letting the Quincy know his utterance hadn't gone unheard.
"Explain," Sesshoumaru demanded.
"We don't often plan things," Ishida admitted.
"It is a wonder you still live," the demon returned.
"We plan," Ichigo defended.
"I wouldn't call what you do 'planning,' Ichigo," Tatsuki said. Mizuiro and Keigo, knowing the stories of his battles, nodded in agreement.
"Tch," the daiko uttered and gazed back at the demon lord. "Then by all means, figure something out. Just don't be surprised if something goes haywire."
"I account for all possibilities," Sesshoumaru shot back, irritated. This boy was disturbingly like his brother as an adolescent.
Gouyen, knowing a proud man when she saw one, merely shook her head. With so many "soldiers" to take into consideration, Sesshoumaru was going to have a hard time "accounting" for all that could go wrong. Differences in personalities aside, the demon emperor of Japan had yet to see the children in action. Reports were all fine and dandy, but they never told the whole picture.
Her mate stood silently beside her; feathers still ruffled but not protesting. As much as he would have liked to take the lead, he knew that he had done wrong, that they both had and was yielding the field to a better man. Sesshoumaru had long since learned the lesson they were both still being taught.
"Enough, children. We'll let this guy figure out all the angles while we find nourishment." Kirara left them to stand where they would and went into the kitchen. Gouyen followed, her own cell to her ear trying to get a hold of Naraku to set up a meeting. It took her several minutes of relaying information through a lackey, upping her frustration and earning several amused looks from her friend. After finally getting what she wanted, Gouyen started to help, needing to keep herself occupied.
Holding a large bowl in her hand, Kirara turned to call the large army to the table. At the same time, the elevator dinged to let them know someone had come up to the penthouse. The ding was almost drowned out by an eagle's sharp cry of pain, a dog's growl, and several hisses. When the door to the elevator opened and Kirara and Gouyen joined the rest, it was to see one of the most entertaining scenes the elder had ever witnessed.
Odeserundiye was holding one of his wings, tears in his eyes and several feathers missing. Sesshoumaru was holding his ears, a bit of blood dripping down the side of his head on both sides. Three kittens had feathers in their mouths while the other three were hanging on to the dog demon's pelt, the fur obviously a delight to their feline minds. The human children were standing around the room in various stages of surprise, lips twitching in an effort not to laugh. The Inutachi merely walked into the room and sat their luggage down.
"Didn't see this coming, did you, smartass?" Kirara asked Sesshoumaru, knowing his ears were too damaged for him hear her. He might not have heard her, but he did sense her amusement. Baring his fangs at her, he glared at Orihime until she gave a start and called her flowers to heal his ears.
"Nothing's changed I see," Shippou commented and plopped into the nearest chair. Picking up one of the kittens with feathers in her mouth, he gently pried them out of her mouth before holding them out to Odeserundiye. In response, the eagle king summoned lightning to throw at him.
"It's always interesting when we're all together," Miroku mused.
Needless to say, the monk spent the rest of the afternoon nursing several acid-induced wounds.
Two hours before the meeting, Ichigo stared down at the seal around his arm and frowned. He didn't feel any different, but by the looks on some of his friends' faces, his energy was no longer permeating the room. "There you go, Kurosaki-kun. Once this is all over, I'll remove it," Kagome said.
"Do you have to?" Rukia asked, studying the slightly glowing symbol. "This could come in remarkable handy in the future."
"It could," the priestess said, a smile on her face. "Unfortunately, if he relies on this, he'll never learn to control his spiritual energy the way he should. Also, this seal is only effective while he's in his body. It won't make any difference once he transforms."
"Too bad," Yoruichi pretended to sympathize. "Now he can't sneak into Byakuya's to see you," the older woman told the blushing Shinigami.
"Hey, I don't need to sneak," Ichigo protested.
"Wouldn't that be kind of hard, anyway, Yoruichi-san?" Keigo asked. "His sword is huge. Everyone must see it coming for kilometers."
"You would think," Soi Fon grumbled. "Hn, you should learn to control your reiatsu better, Kurosaki. Perhaps now that the war is over, you will seek instruction."
"I would be happy to help," Miroku offered. His wounds were now being healed by Orihime. The healer had pled his case to Sesshoumaru for over an hour before she was allowed to help him. "I distinctly remember helping a young priestess not long ago that had no clue as to the true extent of her powers. Lady Kaede had only begun to teach our beloved friend here when she became too ill to continue."
"Keh, yeah, let's put you and the kid together. One of you will end up killing the other before nightfall," Inuyasha commented, not looking up from the map of Central Park. The tone of his voice seemed to suggest that it would be Miroku bidding the world farewell, not Ichigo.
"I beg to differ. You seem to forget that I am quite the formidable opponent."
"It's not your powers I'm concerned about, it's your personality," the half demon retorted. "If you hadn't noticed, the kid's not long on patience."
"Pot, meet kettle," Shippou muttered, despite knowing his father could hear him. Gold eyes shot him a look that promised retribution later but the kitsune didn't flinch. He was used to those looks. Inuyasha hardly ever went through with what they meant nowadays.
"As fun as this has been, can we get on with the mission?" Ishida stood in the middle of the room, his brow twitching in annoyance.
"No sense getting upset, Ishida-kun," Sango advised. "The men like to tease each other as a way to relieve the tension before a battle. It has the added bonus of annoying Sesshoumaru, so they do it regardless of who's present. And if there are others they can throw under the proverbial bus; they'll do that too. Your friend just happens to be any easy target."
"Hey!" Ichigo protested. Keigo and Mizuiro chuckled, Chad cracking a smile at his friend's protest. Rukia shook her head, feeling that she was amongst people who would fit in distressingly well with some of her colleagues. Soi Fon must have thought so too because she rolled her eyes and glanced up at the ceiling.
Akira could hardly believe what she was seeing. Not only were these people acting familiarly with each other, but they were joking about injuring or killing each other. Even though she knew that they weren't serious, it still disturbed her slightly.
"Do not concern yourself with them," Sesshoumaru said. He had been strangely nicer to her than he had towards the others. She had also felt more comfortable around the demon emperor than she had around the strangers who had saved her.
"They act so…odd."
"You will learn to live with it, as I have done," he intoned. The look in his eyes told her he'd rather not have to deal with their antics either.
"Live with it?" she asked. Was he telling her this wasn't the last they'd see of each other?
"Indeed. You will study under my sister-in-law in order to understand and control your powers. It has occurred to me that this new 'Naraku' likely knew that you have not been trained in the arts of a priestess and therefore would not even know how to kill a demon, much less one from another country. He must also know that you know of the method to create a Shikon no Tama and would use it because you know of no other method."
"That makes a disturbing kind of sense," she said back. Glancing towards the others, she noticed Kirara's ruby eyes darken and Yoruichi nod as if in affirmation. "I still have school here," she reminded the man, wondering if that would matter to him.
"There is vacation," he reminded her.
"I have a job," she continued, trying to get through his head that she couldn't just up and leave.
"That is of little consequence. You will simply reside here from now on so there will be no need for you to work for expenses."
Akira gaped at him, unable to believe his audacity. "Excuse me?" she growled, unknowingly sounding like Rin at her best imitation of him. "When did you become my father?" she questioned angrily.
"Hn." Sesshoumaru felt he did not need to give her an explanation.
"Hn? Is that all you have to say for yourself?" Fire sparked in her eyes, her powers adding an eerie glow to the green depths.
The taiyoukai merely watched the manifestation of her power with slight amusement. His lips almost quirked but he caught himself in time, knowing it would only make her angrier. Having experienced the pain of an enraged priestess before, he would rather not have to put up with it again.
"All right, ladies and gentlemen, it's time to…" Kirara trailed off, the scent of miko energy in the air catching her attention. Turning to the young priestess and the demon lord, she huffed lightly and glared at the dog demon. "What idiocy have you spouted now?"
"This arrogant demon has decided that I will quit my job, move in here, and go back to Japan during school vacations just so Taisho-san can teach me how to use my powers."
"Ah…" everyone familiar with Sesshoumaru said. Ichigo's group took two steps away from Sesshoumaru no matter where they stood, just in case Akira decided to get physical.
"Keh, just ignore him. He gets that way sometimes. He's done way worse so until he shows you his really bad side, hold off on frying his hide. Burnt dog fur really screws up the sense of smell and I may need that soon." Inuyasha gave his brother a significant look. "If you still want to miko his hide after we get back, go for it."
"Your loyalty always warms my heart," Sesshoumaru told his brother.
"Like you wouldn't say the same thing," Inuyasha shot back.
"As I started to say… It's time for us to get going." Kirara cuffed both dog demons on the back of the head, earning a contrite look from Inuyasha and an amused one from Sesshoumaru. If she'd really meant harm, she would have used her claws, so the demon lord knew she was only giving him a warning.
"Finally," Ishida whispered. He hadn't liked the tension and sudden hostility between the young priestess and the dog demon. The Quincy was still far from trusting the Taisho clan even though they hadn't given him any reason not to do so. If he didn't count the casual suggestion by the young brother to basically purify the older. Although he probably should, he mused, following the others as they piled into the elevator. Only half of them fit at once and he found himself trying not to inhale eagle feathers.
Somehow, he didn't think it would end well if he did.
They found a parking garage not too far from the East 72nd Street entrance to the park and piled out of the bus. Standing in a group, the gathered warriors straightened clothing, pulled gloves on tighter and looked to Kirara for direction. Regardless of whether or not Sesshoumaru had been the one to make the plan, it was she they relied on to make the important calls.
"Inuyasha, take your group through the park and find a spot to hunker down until nightfall. Keep an eye out for busybodies or spies. Despite trying to clear the place of bystanders, the park doesn't close until one in the morning so Gouyen and Odeserundiye's men weren't able to empty it entirely without creating suspicions with the local police. Make sure you're on the west side of Cherry Hill. Gouyen set up the meet at the fountain so we want to have the place surrounded. Odeserundiye, make yourself scarce. I want you nearby in case you're needed but I don't want Naraku to know you're here. With your vision, you should be able to be quite a distance away and still see what's going on. Sesshoumaru and I will head towards the opposite side of Terrance Drive while Ichigo-kun and his friends will cover this side of the park. That will leave the north to Captain Soi-Fon and the men she brought. Hide yourselves as much as possible and please, don't do anything a tourist would. You want to look as close to locals as possible."
"Do we know what Naraku looks like?" Ishida asked, regretting the fact that he hadn't been able to put on another layer because he'd needed the range of motion. Late March in New York was nothing like late March in Karakura.
"His humanoid form looks like your typical Japanese bishonen. He likes to flaunt his sense of style and his clothing is always top of the line. There is a tattoo that usually peeks out from his collar, but I do not think you'll be able to see it. He has been dressing quite warm, so I believe he's sensitive to the cold. As for his true form, I have never seen it." Gouyen shook her head regretfully at the Quincy.
"Do you know what kind of demon he is?" Inuyasha asked.
"I have not been able to determine that either," the queen answered. "Spiders and insects seem to like being around him, however."
"Great…"
"When Lady Yoruichi and I found his lair, there were a great many spiders hanging around as well. Several species, if I recall correctly."
"That's just perfect. Not only is this fool a Naraku wannabe, he's likely a spider demon to boot. The real Naraku was a shapeshifter and had a nasty miasma. If this guy fancies himself a second Naraku, he's probably poisonous so watch yourselves." Inuyasha cursed softly, looking at his family with hard eyes. "Did you bring your masks?"
"I thought of the possibility too, so yes, I brought them," Sango said. "Keep them handy. If our weapons cut him, it could release any poison he has in his body. The less you take in, the better. Demonic poison could kill you quickly." She handed the masks out, briefly flashing back to the time when there hadn't been enough to go around.
"Thank you," Chad said, the others murmuring their gratitude.
"Say, would his 'true' form be as big as Taisho-san's?" Ichigo asked, remembering the dog demon's transformation. He hadn't seen it but the large howl he'd heard had let him know Sesshoumaru had grown in size when he'd turned.
"It's possible, but unlikely. However, he could be rather large…" Kirara trailed off.
"Rather large as in everyone within the park could see him?"
"At the very least," Sesshoumaru agreed.
"Captain Soi Fon, I don't suppose you thought to bring one of those memory modifier thingamajigs?" Ichigo asked.
"One of those would not be enough. I will have to order a large-scale modification if it comes to pass."
"Good, because I don't think the Americans would enjoy having to explain the existence of youkai to the public. Or you know, a supposedly fictional kaiju."
"That would be rather hard to do," Kagome mused. "Captain, perhaps you should have your people on standby for that incidence. It never hurts to be prepared."
"Very well," the Stealth Force commander agreed. "Going to be hard to explain the destruction too," she muttered under her breath as she moved away to contact the soutaicho. Silently she hoped Orihime's flowers could reverse the damage on all the landmarks in the park. Whatever got broken, and there would be casualties, would have to be fixed before they left. Making a mental note to make sure any cameras in the area mysteriously stopped working, Soi Fon stationed her men in the area and waited for the murdering youkai to show. In the meantime, maybe she could come up with a way to hide their battle from the prying eyes of the public. If she could stop the use of the large-scale memory modification, it would mean less paperwork. She hated paperwork as much as the next captain and given the highly sensitive nature of this operation, she couldn't foist it off on her lieutenant. "This is all Kurosaki's fault."
She knew she should have killed him when she had the chance.