XI: The Eve of War

Author: Nefertili

Fandom: Inuyasha

Rating: PG13

Pairing(s): Sesshoumaru/Kikyou

Genre(s): Romance, Angst, AU, Action

Warning(s): More battle scenes, some violence, fluff... What more can I say?

Disclaimer: None of the characters, except perhaps some, are mine. They are owned by Rumiko Takahashi.

Summary: Two years after IMotC, Sess is challenged to surpass an enemy in recovering a mysterious relic left behind by his mother. But can he protect Kikyou, who now carries his child, at the same time?

A/N: Yes, I am finally reaching approximately halfway through my fic! I'll admit I kinda got emotional over the last chapter. Sessh: (glares) How dare you expose my sentimental nature! Me: Ooops! Sorry, Sesshy-sama! XD

...o0o...

With an inquisitive look in her mahogany eyes, Kikyou allowed Sesshoumaru to lead her out of the darkening shade of the willow tree. Who are they meeting now? Strange it is, to be able to spend almost two years in the Western Lands without even encountering other prominent youkai aside from her husband... But then, it was Sesshoumaru who chose to keep her and Rin hidden, and Kikyou couldn't blame him. She loved him, and she would do all that she can to spare him from the pride-scarring remarks of other demons without having to sacrifice their relationship.

The main building of the fortress was dark, but dots of light soon emerged as Jaken began to light the lamps in a wide room which functions as a reception room for visitors. Not that they ever had a great number of them, that is. Thus, Kikyou was more perplexed than ever to see a willowy figure dismount from the steady form of Ah-Un before the steps of the building to follow Jaken into the room.

In the dim light, Kikyou judged that the figure was that of a man, but the aura was that of a demon...a Deer Demon's, to be exact. Sesshoumaru had summoned one of Kikumo's kin, but why? Unconsciously, she clutched at Sesshoumaru's arm, and he patted her cheek with the back of his hand to ease her troubled spirits.

"I would like you to put your complete trust in me," Sesshoumaru whispered to her. "No matter what I say, just trust me."

The pulse of his words further increased Kikyou's confusion, but she replied, "I have always trusted you, Sesshoumaru. And I always will."

Interpreting this answer as an assurance, he spoke no more. Kikyou longed to look into his eyes and perhaps see there an echo of his purposes, but the shadows prevented her from seeing the expression on her beloved's face. They were near the fortress now, and both chose to keep silent as they walked up the four steps. Following the stretch of the verandah, they came upon the screens which served as the door to the dimly lit room.

Sesshoumaru whipped out one of his hands, and in a swift motion, he swept aside the intricately painted screen. Unlike the other screens of the fortress, this one was made of mother-of-pearl, the gleaming surface delicately reflecting the rosy light from within. He motioned to Kikyou that she should enter first, and she nodded once in his direction before doing as he asked. Once she was fully inside the chamber, she was met squarely in the eye by equally inquisitive coal-black oculars that gleamed like polished onyx in the flickering light.

...o0o...

Isamu instantly recognized the woman in the miko garments as the same human lady he caught sight of in the woods when he first paid a visit to Sesshoumaru to offer his allegiance. He had been puzzled by the presence of humans in the Lord of the West's domain, but he knew better than to question the Lord Sesshoumaru.

"Ah, Sesshoumaru-sama!" the toady retainer which led him to the room piped up, bowing with his head touching the mats laid down on the wooden floor.

Almost at once, the silver-haired taiyoukai stepped inside the chamber. Isamu stood up at once and bowed his head in his direction.

"You summoned me, Sesshoumaru-sama," he said softly, raising his head after the formal greeting. In his full stature, he was nearly as tall as Sesshoumaru, the golden brown of his hair enhanced by the yellow light of the lamps. "And here I am."

Sesshoumaru gazed coldly but not unpleasantly at the other Demon Lord. He then placed an arm around the young raven-haired woman's shoulders whilst saying, "She is my mate, Kikyou."

Neither Kikyou nor Isamu could believe their ears. Kikyou, that Sesshoumaru was openly declaring to another youkai about her relations to him. Isamu, that the Lord Sesshoumaru had a human lady for a mate. But his reaction was not like that of most youkai when told such a surprising (even unacceptable in some youkai's point of view) statement. He and his wife were very liberal with their ideas concerning the interaction of humans and demons, and unlike most of their kind they did not consider the ningen race to be overly inferior to the blood of youkai.

Once he had gotten over the initial shock, Isamu bowed to Kikyou in the manner of youkai when acknowledging a powerful Demon Lady. Smiling respectfully, he said, "It is a great privilege to meet you, Lady Kikyou. I am Isamu, Lord of the Shikayoukai. The Deer Clan will gladly be of service to you and the Lord Sesshoumaru."

Kikyou felt very self-conscious at this great show of respect, and all that she could give as a reply was a nod, keeping her eyes on her feet. Her gaze pretended indifference, but deep inside she knew that she can hardly be indifferent to such matters. Why was this Deer Demon - and a taiyoukai at that! - addressing her like a noble lady? She was only a simple woman, after all. She may have been the Keeper of the fabled Shikon no Tama, but that was years ago...

"Why did you instruct me to fetch him, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Jaken queried, breaking the silence that had settled upon them. He scurried before the amber-eyed taiyoukai and kneelt at his feet.

"You did not arrive as quickly as I expected," Sesshoumaru answered, his icy voice cutting through the humid air like a knife.

Shivers of fear went over Jaken's spine, and he touched his forehead to the mats whilst saying, "Ah! Forgive me, Sesshoumaru-sama! I was nearly cut to pieces by the sentinels of the Deer youkai when I demanded to see their lord..."

"Please accept my apology, milord," the dark-eyed Deer Demon spoke up to spare Jaken from further trouble. "I had given an order for my soldiers to be more cautious, considering the presence of invading youkai. They were unaware that you have sent your servant to summon me."

After a moment of silence, Sesshoumaru spoke up once more, his amber eyes narrowing at the cowering figure of his retainer at his feet. "Get out, Jaken, before my claws send you to the Other Side."

Jaken didn't need to be told twice. Getting up to his feet rather clumsily, he staggered out of the room, pulling the screens closed behind him.

Sesshoumaru's golden orbs lingered long on the door before they returned to the other taiyoukai before him. Then, to Kikyou's astonishment, they sat - or rather, knelt in a formal fashion - on the mats at almost the same time, as though they'd rehearsed. She was about to make her way outside the room, but Sesshoumaru's voice stopped her.

"No, Kikyou. You are needed here."

Kikyou blinked once and took a seat beside her husband, who gave her an ever so slight smile. This eased up her nerves a bit, and she had enough strength to smile back before her face assumed a neutral gaze once more, fixing her gaze instead on the light of the lamp that burned between them and Isamu.

Isamu observed all this silent show of affection between the taiyoukai and the human lady. There was no doubt that they enjoyed each other's company even if they were of two different races. Kikyou was beautiful, no doubt about that, and what's more, he can feel a great spiritual power radiating from her. The presence of this mysterious woman helped Isamu look at Sesshoumaru from a different perspective. He was known to despise humankind, but why did he have a human for a mate? Surely, surely, there must be a part of him that is not as cruel as the way he treated the toad he had for a servant...?

"You mentioned that you would give your aid to the Dog Clan if we asked," Sesshoumaru said in that quiet yet commanding manner of his, observing the Deer youkai who sat across him and Kikyou.

The silver-haired taiyoukai's words made Isamu snap out of his stupor. Blinking once, he nodded seriously.

"Indeed, Sesshoumaru-sama," the dark-eyed taiyoukai replied.

Sesshoumaru was silent for a while, as though considering something. His gaze spoke of aloofness, and in the silence that dominated the chamber, a cricket's chirp rang clearly. The several lamps that illuminated the room caused a haunting interplay of shadows to dance on the walls and on the screens. The painted landscape of a copse of maple trees in autumn looked strangely alive in the yellow-orange light, and the balmy atmosphere of the room made Kikyou feel a little drowsy. But when he at last spoke, his words caused Kikyou to look up, a look of pure surprise on her eyes.

"I shall go forth to battle against the spineless invaders," Sesshoumaru said. His tone was flat, as though the subject disinterested him completely. "Kikyou and another human child are to take shelter under your wing."

Kikyou opened her mouth as though to retort, but Sesshoumaru's amber orbs flashed in her direction with a stern look. She caught herself just in time, but when she returned her gaze back to the flame, her hands were clenched against the fabric of her hakama.

Now, the reason behind Sesshoumaru requesting her earlier to put her complete trust in him made sense. She understood that sooner or later he must indeed go to war in his mother's name, but it was so soon...too soon! And she was to remain behind, without even offering him the least of aid? How could he...?

Does he seriously think that she was a weak person who needed to be protected by someone else regarding such matters?

Does he think she cannot help him?

He never breathed a word to her about his plans! Furious thoughts and curses came one after another in her mind. If not for her love of him, she would have lashed out at him with her holy powers. Kikyou knew that Sesshoumaru had her best interests at heart, but she felt doubly betrayed. Damn you, Sesshoumaru...

Isamu can see that Kikyou wasn't at all pleased with this proposition, but he nonetheless said, "My wife will be more than glad to take them in. We shall make sure that not a hair on their heads shall be harmed." He then recalled that he saw Kikyou with a little girl a few days before...she must be the human child Sesshoumaru was talking about.

"Very well," Sesshoumaru replied coolly, but from the corner of his eyes he can see that Kikyou was glowering in silence. "No one except those who can be truly trusted is to know of this."

"It shall be, my Lord," Isamu answered. "When shall Kikyou-sama be entrusted to us?"

"Come back tomorrow morning. You are to go alone. I won't have a whole entourage knowing of our whereabouts."

Kikyou can hardly believe her ears. Does Sesshoumaru know what he was doing? She dreaded the thought that war would separate, but tomorrow...?

'Sesshoumaru, please, I need more time...' Kikyou thought, the swiftness of time nearly choking her. 'I need more time with you...please...'

Sesshoumaru knew what she was thinking of. If she only knew, he was deeply upset about having to part with her as she was, but it was a necessary sacrifice. The road may be long, but one would reach one's destination sooner or later. In the end, Karatake will break Hanazuki's seal and once that happens there would be no choice for them. Time...cruel time...will there ever be moment when it would come to their favor?

"What about the battle, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Isamu's words barely penetrated Kikyou's ears as her thoughts blocked out most of the sounds coming from the outside. "Is there not a way we could aid you in that field?"

Amber eyes narrowed slightly. Sesshoumaru was having doubts about that matter, and now that Isamu brought it up he could not ignore it. Sesshoumaru felt that the battle was rather personal; it was originally between his mother and her brother to the Moon, and thus he must do it alone. Not that he was keen on gathering an army from the very start. Sesshoumaru had distrusted many of the youkai inhabiting the West in war. They had been useless in the war of revenge against the Cat clan more than fifty years ago, and things were slow to change among youkai. If not for the Deer Demons and the sudden withdrawal of the enemy, the West would have been lost...

'The shikayoukai...'

Sesshoumaru looked straight at the coal-black eyes of their present ruler. Isamu stared back unflinchingly. Would the Deer Demons be as eager to help as they had during those times? Sesshoumaru had no doubt that if Kikumo had lived, her people would have marched at once alongside them. But he did not know Isamu. He did not know him as he had known the Flower of the Deer Clan, and Sesshoumaru had serious misgivings about trusting the shikayoukai now that they had a different leader.

Interestingly, Isamu had a similar train of thoughts as they looked at each other in silence. He was no member of the Royal family of his clan, remember. He owed much of his present position to the Queen, but he was no self-centered person to mate with her for that purpose. They were childhood friends, and it was their choice to commit to one another. It was no set-up scheme; they truly loved one another. But was Isamu ready to renew the allegiances started by their late Lord Hisano? Isamu had no doubt heard of the Inu no Taishou, for he was a great legend even after his death. But Sesshoumaru, his son, was a totally different person. Would he and Isamu get along at all?

"Sesshoumaru, I know you intend to defeat our enemy alone, but..." Kikyou spoke for the first time in Isamu's presence. Her expression was still gloomy, but they can see that her anger had worn off a bit. "I suggest that you accept Isamu's aid. Please, if it's the last thing you would do for me... Don't do this alone."

Sesshoumaru and Isamu looked at her. Isamu couldn't help but be impressed with this quiet human female. Beneath the sad exterior there was indeed genuine care for the one she loved. His wife would indeed be delighted with her, and they would make good friends.

Her husband, on the other hand, considered her suggestion with a little bit of reluctance. Kikyou seldom asked for favors, and he can hardly ignore the pleading tone she used. He can only imagine her pain, of being with child at a time like this...of the possibility of losing her husband and with him her life... Would fate ever grant her peace for even the shortest time?

"Do you really intend to offer me assistance in battle?" Sesshoumaru questioned Isamu.

"We do, Sesshoumaru-sama," Isamu replied earnestly, bowing low before the other taiyoukai. "The army of the shikayoukai is ready to march on your command, my Lord."

"Then so be it," Sesshoumaru said, ending the matter with the four words. "You have my leave to go."

Isamu was rather surprised at having been dismissed so abruptly, but he was deeply relieved to be allowed to leave. He had another important matter at hand...

"Do you think that is wise?" Kikyou countered, gently placing a hand on Sesshoumaru's arm. Her mahogany eyes then looked upon the fair-haired Lord of the Deer Demons with a kind gaze. "The night is advancing, and the clouds bring rain. Perhaps, if you spend the night here...?"

"Lady Kikyou is most kind," Isamu answered humbly, bowing in her direction. "But I would have to turn down your offer. My wife is currently in labor, and I would like to be there when my child is delivered. Besides, I would have to give the necessary orders to ready our soldiers and to accommodate your stay, milady."

Isamu's words made Kikyou and Sesshoumaru look at one another. Isamu's mate was expecting a child? And he had to leave her in her labor so he can discuss the plans of battle with Sesshoumaru?

"You didn't have to..." Kikyou found herself saying, but Isamu shook his head firmly and stood up.

"It was my decision to go to Sesshoumaru-sama when he summoned me," he said. "Please don't think of it too much, my lord and my lady. I will return tomorrow in the expected time. Farewell, Sesshoumaru-sama and Kikyou-sama!"

With that, he bowed one last time and silently slid the screens open. In a gush of wind that made the lights flicker, a huge stag leaped out of the verandah and galloped into the dark forest. They only heard faint sounds of leaves rustling. With his passing the rain let loose its tears, drowning the world in the sound of the downpour.

...o0o...

It was long before any of them spoke. The howling of the wind and the deafening claps of thunder bounced around the deserted corridors, but it seemed as though time had stopped for the two lone figures in the wide cavern. Cold raindrops began to enter through the open door, successfully extinguishing one of the lamps. But even as the merciless wind began to play with their long hair, they refused to say a word.

Finally, after the great moment of silence, Kikyou stirred, looking up at her mate with an unreadable expression. Sesshoumaru's hand moved over hers and clasped it gently, as though to make up for whatever heartache he had caused her earlier.

"He also has a child..." her thoughts slipped from her without her knowing. Sesshoumaru's arm went about her fully, and she leaned her torso against him. "It seems we are not so alone after all, Sesshoumaru."

"I know you were not that pleased with my decision to keep you from the war," Sesshoumaru said, resting his head against hers. "But I hope you understand my reasons for doing so."

"Do you not trust me, Sesshoumaru?" she answered softly, her tone a bit harder than usual. "I still have my miko powers, and I will stand beside you in the battlefield if I have to."

"You have my trust, Kikyou," he replied. "But think of our baby. Should you die, another life will die with you. I cannot allow that to happen. I won't have your deaths in my conscience."

Kikyou knew this answer, for she would have given the same if she were in his place. Sighing, she said, "I know. You would have your way in the end, and there is nothing I can do about it." A rather guilty look passed across Sesshoumaru's face, but he did not contradict her. Knowing that she had somehow offended her beloved, Kikyou changed the topic.

"What were you trying to tell me before Isamu came?"

Sesshoumaru looked temporarily surprised, but realization soon softened his amber eyes. He shifted his position such that he and Kikyou were face to face, and he began to speak in a hushed voice, for he wanted no one but Kikyou to hear what he was saying.

"You know of hahagimi's rhyme, don't you?" he asked.

Kikyou nodded, tilting her head to the side with a curiously. Then, together, they began to intone the words.

"A shard of the moon,
O'er mist coming and going,
A jewel of doom,
O'er water still, unmoving,
O'er depths endless, a-waiting."

Sesshoumaru gave her an approving nod, then he said, "That is but the first part of the entire rhyme. When we visited Mizutori, I found out that she knew not of the final part, that which Mother herself taught me."

Kikyou nodded again, trying to hide her confusion. To spare her from further questions, he continued the Rhyme of the Tsukisawa and the Mitsuseki. She can hardly hear him through the sound of the rain, but she caught the words with some effort. The other half was as mysterious as the first.

"Cleaver of heaven, arise.
With your unwithering sheen,
Open to their eyes
The side of the moon unseen,
The shadow of death foreseen.

Bring forth to the light...

A shard of the moon,
O'er mist coming and going,
A jewel of doom,
O'er water still, unmoving,
O'er depths endless, a-waiting."

She sat there spellbound by the steady chanting of her husband's voice, and when at last he ceased to speak, she silently went over the rest of the poem in her mind. But she could find no sense or enlightenment with the rest of the rhyme, and she looked desperately at Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru then reached within his garments and took from his silken robe an object swathed in black silk. He held it out to Kikyou, who gingerly took it from his hands. Looking at him for permission, she unwrapped the mysterious object from its silken wrapping and soon she held in her hands a knife, sheathed in leather.

Kikyou turned the knife over in her hand, searching for anything special. It was, in truth, a rather battered-looking knife, no longer than her hand. The pieces of cloth wrapped around the handle of the blade were peeling off, and the black leather of its sheath was marred by wrinkles.

"Take it out of its sheath," he said to her.

Silently, she pulled the battered old piece of leather from the blade of the knife, and she can see that amidst the signs of age, the metal still shone with sharpness. She ran her fingers over the blunt side, and she frowned slightly when she reached the tip of the blade. It appears to have been broken off.

Kikyou turned the knife over once again, and a surprising inscription caught her eye. Etched near the base of the blade, close to where the handle met the metal, were characters that spelled tsuki no kakera.

"'Shard of the moon...'" the meaning of the words slipped from her mouth. Her eyes widened and she looked up at Sesshoumaru. "It can't be! A shard of the moon o'er mist coming and going!"

A slight smirk was formed in the corner of Sesshoumaru's mouth.

"My mother's true name is Suien," he explained further. "It could mean mist over water."

Enthusiasm at this unfolding edge of the mystery changed the color of Kikyou's eyes. She excitedly took Sesshoumaru's hand, saying, "The jewel of doom is the Mitsuseki. The still, unmoving water and endless depths speak of the Tsukisawa..." But Mizutori said that only with the 'right sword' shall he be able to harness those powers... She was holding a knife in her handsit couldn't be the right sword... Then, the second part of the rhyme hit her in the head.

'Cleaver of heaven, arise...'

Cleaver of heaven.

Blade of heaven.

Tenseiga.

She stood up at once, still holding the knife reverently in her hands. For a while she could not speak. Sesshoumaru stood up as well, and when her mahogany eyes locked with his amber oculars, it seemed that they were able to speak straight into one another's heart with the mere glance. Kikyou threw herself in his arms, clutching the knife close to her chest in one hand. Sesshoumaru's arms went about her and he nuzzled her head with his face.

"You will come back, Sesshoumaru," she whispered. "You will come back and we will watch our child grow...together."

...o0o...

A pained moan left the young demoness' mouth as another of the painful contractions rocked her nether region. Isamu held her hand tightly and comfortingly. She opened her emerald eyes and looked at him lovingly. Then, with great effort in her part, she smiled slightly and said, "You'd better make the proper arrangements for Lady Kikyou. I would have done it myself, but I am kind of occupied at the moment..." Her last word was drowned by a soft cry as a fresh wave of pain went through her.

"Those matters can wait," Isamu replied, cupping her sweaty cheek tenderly. "I will stay beside you."

But the she-youkai in labor shook her head steadfastly. "No, beloved. War is upon us; such matters shall not wait. I will be all right. Besides, I have Asagao with me." Her eyes went to the quiet female figure kneeling beside her.

Asagao bowed when the demoness called her by name. Isamu sat for a while, thinking, but he soon gave into the wish of his beloved. He kissed her on her forehead and assured her that he will be back soon. Once he had left the room, the Demon Lady let her smile vanish as the pains of labor began to take its toll on her.

"My Lady, I don't think it is wise of Lord Isamu to allow a human to take shelter in our place..." Asagao muttered.

The demoness on the verge of giving birth shot her companion a steely glare.

"In all the years you have served me, the one point we never agreed upon was the matter regarding the human race..." the Demon Lady said with difficulty, but she said no more as she concentrated her strength on delivering her child.

Asagao said nothing, but she quietly tended to her mistress as the birth drew closer, revealing her thoughts to no one but herself.

...o0o...

Yehey, we're getting somewhere in the line of the Rhyme! ;P In case you're wondering how Sesshy got the knife, go back to Chapter Five and you will see that his mother gave it to him before she died. But what exactly is the role of the tsuki no kakera in the Rhyme? And who exactly is Isamu's wife? o.o Find out the answer in the upcoming chapters!

Lady Fabmel: Yeah, Sesshy can be sweet sometimes, ne? ;P Sessh: (gives a dagger look)

Sweet Ruby Moon: I know, I hate wars too... And no need to get worked up! I won't revert back to SesshxKiku! (I don't wanna make Sesshy a two-timer like his little bro. coughcough.)

Eruanne: Ah, finally, my dedicated reader finally submitted a review:)

The Celestial Inferno Rose: I SOagree with you! The pairing itself is already close to impossible, but hey, there's always a freaking possibility. -.- Thanks for the review!

Cold Kikyo: It's been long since I wrote a bittersweet chapter as that, right? Me glad you liked it!

Azn kawaii kikyo the devil: Hehe. Those flower names went through some serious research. I have to match the flowers with the season of the story (the rainy days at the end of summer).

Gossamer Wind: Sessh can also be a sweet prince charming... XD

The East Wind Melts the Ice: Yeah, I wish I can live in that place instead of simply describing it... -.-

astrea: There will be more action soon, I promise!