This is NOT like "Will You be Mine" Yes, I have read the story, I like it, and am waiting for the author to update it, but this story is nothing like "Will You Be Mine".

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha.

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The War Between Races
Chapter 5 - Patience is a virtue

By: Scaevola
Published 9/16/05
Updated 9/29/05

InuYasha and Sesshomaru had left there Kingdom with the demon army several months ago. Naraku had seen them off at the border of the Kingdome before quickly returning to Daelis to oversee the Empire.

The plan they had conceived was clever, InuYasha had to admit. While they both had received the same amount of military training, Sesshomaru seemed gifted in his ability to quickly assess situations and form plans. He was cold and calculating, rarely letting feelings cloud his thoughts.

They both knew that by now, the human kingdoms, both east and north, would be aware of their actions. Undoubtedly they would prepare for war and form a defense. However, they would expect the demons to come from the west.

Yes, the humans would be surprised when the demons came from the east, their undefended flank. InuYasha smirked at the thought of the look on the humans faces when they found that they had left their families unprotected in the east.

Their demon army would tear through the human kingdoms until they reached the heart of the Eastern kingdom, Kirei. Then, they'd make the royal family pay for what they did. They'd make an example out of the traitorous humans, thinking they could get away with sending assassins to their lands.

So far, Sesshomaru and InuYasha had done fairly well. They traveled through the less populated areas of the southern lands, avoiding as many settlements as possible. They trusted the southern lands, but they knew that the northern and eastern lands would undoubtedly have spies here, especially where humans would be less noticeable.

So they carefully traveled through the unpopulated areas, using forests and mountains as means of cover when they could. While the army could have traveled much quicker if they were out in the open, they were reduced to traveling about the same speed as human armies because of their cautiousness. Many demons were becoming frustrated.

InuYasha was walking with Sesshomaru at his side, having a silent conversation over the best route to Kirei.

"I think we should stay by the forests, Sesshomaru. They'll be able to supply us with plenty of firewood for warmth and cooking fires in the winter, not to mention better hunting."

"That way is too long InuYasha. It might be true that we'll be warming in the winter by the forests, but we'll get to Kirei much faster if we go through the mountains. The game there will be the same there as in the forest. And as for whether we're cold or not, we're demons right? Or at least, most of us don't have weak human nights." Sesshomaru smirked at the slight insult, knowing that he'd win the arguement no matter what now, since InuYasha, being as prideful as he was, would not admit that he needed a fire when he had a human night on cold days.

"Feh." snorted InuYasha. "Fine we'll go through the mountains. The quicker we get to the city, the better."

They both stiffened when they felt a scent that was becoming all too familiar approach.

A wolf demon quickly ran up to them, nodding his head to both. Koga was the pompous ass leader of the wolf demons. Or at least, that's what InuYasha and Sesshomaru thought.

Ever since they had met Koga, he had acted as though he was on equal footing with the two brothers, often trying to act as though he were the one really making the decisions. Every now and then he'd make a request that sounded all too much like a demand in front of many others.

While InuYasha and Sesshomaru both detested the wolf, they knew they could not rebuke him for his behavior. The alliance of the wolf demon tribe was too important to them. They made excellent scouts and were very effective against human cavalry in battle. The human's horses would quiver with fear before the wolves tore at the horses. Once their mounts were down, the wolf youkai would jump into the fray and made quick work of the humans.

"Hey." Koga acted as though that were an adequate greeting. InuYasha nearly snorted in disgust, but kept his mouth shut, knowing that he needed to keep the wolf youkai close.

"Welcome, Koga." Sesshomaru said.

"I've been getting complaints from a bunch of my guys. We're moving too slow. Everyone is impatient, including me. If you don't hurry up, we're going to have to leave you behind." stated Koga.

"Last time I checked, this was our war, and not yours." muttered InuYasha.

"Brother." Sesshomaru's voice quickly reminded InuYasha to stay on good terms with the wolf. "Koga, we know that the army is impatient, we want to get there as much as all of you, yet we must take our time. The humans do not know we are coming this way, and if we let them know, they will be able to defend themselves better."

"Let them know!" snarled Koga. "I want to fight! I want to feel my claws dig into their throats!"

"Patience, Koga We will reach the human kingdom in a week or two, just as the snows begin to fall. You will have your battles, that I promise. For now, patience is a virtue." explained Sesshomaru.

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Time had passed quickly. The human kingdom had been extremely busy, preparing for war. More troops had been recruited, new monks, priests and priestesses were constantly being trained, not to mention demon slayers. The entire Kingdom was busy, food was being put into storage incase cities were besieged, walls were reinforced, sutras were placed on doors and city walls, putting small barriers around the various cities' weak points.

Kagome listened carefully from her hidden spot near her father's small conference room, if it could be called that. The emperor had once again called all his trusted advisors to him. Her father had been frustrated for some time with the war, the demons had pulled some stunt that put everyone into slight hysterics. Several months ago, Miroku had began receiving word from his spies that the demon army had left Daelis. As to where it went, nobody seemed to know. It just seemed to have left the city and disappeared.

"Where could they have gone!" yelled her father. "Armies do not just disappear!"

Miroku sighed, understanding his Lord's frustration. He too was frustrated, how the demons had managed this was beyond him. Hiding an army was no small feat. "My Lord, I know armies do not just disappear, but I'm sure that one of my spies will pick up a rumor or hear of the armies movements soon."

"They have not heard anything for weeks - no, months Miroku!" exclaimed the emperor. "What makes you think that will change?"

"I don't have any reason to believe it will change, my lord, I can only hope, and have faith."

From her hidden spot, Kagome could hear Kikyo's sigh. "My lord, I agree with Miroku. Even though we have not heard any word about the demon army for some time, something has to come up sooner or later."

"Demons do not just disappear!" The emperor persisted.

Everyone's voices rose at once, all of them trying to assure the emperor that word would reach them soon. Finally, Sango's voice rose above the rest.

"Kohaku and I have both thought about this matter for some time. We all know how swiftly demons can move. Well, if they had planned on attacking right away, then I think we can all agree that they would already be here." she explained.

Someone else spoke up, a man that Kagome new as one of the armies general, but she couldn't put a name to the voice. "Are you suggesting that they are purposely taking there time? That is foolish! They are allowing us to strengthen our armies and cities!"

Another voice spoke up, one that Kagome recognized this time as General Hideko, a younger general. "If they wait much longer to attack us, we'll easily defeat them, and I would gladly lead an army to their lands. This time we won't be merciful!"

Miroku spoke up above the cheering. "I do not think that they are bidding there time without reason. I know from my spies that both princes have been trained, and that they devoted their time to training with their weapons and warfare. If anything shows that the princes are clever and have a plan, it's the fact that we can not find them."

mutters filled the room, and the men exchanged dark looks. Perhaps the threat was greater than they suspected? But another man spoke, General Jin. "The princes leading the army are young and inexperienced. What makes you think they have a plan at all? You tell us that your spies say the princes have been trained, but so far, your spies don't seem very skilled. They can't even find an army for us!"

Laughter filled the room at General Jin's words, and Miroku did not answer as Jin spoke up again. "Even if the princes have been heavily trained, what makes you think they can properly use that knowledge? Like I said, they are young and inexperienced, hardly something to bother us." The general then addressed the Emperor. "My lord, you should not trouble yourself with these affairs, I am sure that we will easily dispatch the demons."

Miroku seemed the whisper something to her father which Kagome could not hear, but it seemed like her father ignored whatever Miroku had said anyway. "Very well General Jin, you and General Hideko will have free reign over our defenses. You will share power equally. I will leave you two to plan."

Miroku groaned audibly as the Emperor left the room and all the generals began to talk with Jin and Hideko. Kagome carefully peeked through the small window that connected the room to her small spot to see what was going on. Miroku had stood and walked over to Sango, Kikyo, and Kohaku. They spoke quietly to one another, shooting glances at the group of generals, before they quietly walked to the door and left. The generals never noticed their absence.

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Naraku walked to his quarters quickly, ignoring the slaves and servants. He was too happy to care or notice if any of them were failing to do their duties properly. He passed them all without a glance.

His plan was finally working. He'd been trying to put it into motion for years! Finally it was beginning. InuTaisho was out of the way, he had become too wise and cautious of others. Sesshomaru and InuYasha however, were very trusting of him, even deciding to leave their Kingdom in his hands for the time being.

That "time being" would quickly change to "forever" in the near future however. Soon, he'd be ruler of Daelis, Emperor of the Western lands, not Sesshomaru or InuYasha. First however, he needed to make sure both princes were conveniently out of the way in the eastern lands, without aid. He'd just need a little patience.

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Yay! another chapters done!

I hope you're all happy now that you know all of the people are in this story!

Please review! please please please with sugar on top!