Note: Inuyasha isn't mine only the plot in this story is.
A/N: This chapter is dedicated to TrueGemini, Amy, Zara, Karlie, Wydelfin, Kitsune Diva, Ruhiko, my loyal readers. You inspired me to continue. It was an honor to have your loyalty.
THE BEST LAID PLANS"Do not disturb him." Came the warning from the dark.
The one reprimanded sighed in frustration. "But how long do we wait?"
"As long as it takes. You do want to succeed this time, correct?"
"Of course! But…" The second voice faltered.
"As they say, patience is a virtue so stop pacing!" The first voice hissed.
The impatient one stopped and focused at the third occupant in the darkened room whose eyes were closed and sitting in a lotus position, its hands folded seemingly in prayer. In the quiet of the room, whispered chanting was heard coming from its lips.
~O~O~O~
The heavy doors of the Hall of Judgment opened and four people left the great chambers. They bowed in farewell to each other and parted ways. It has been 3 days since the Four Cardinals have concluded their lengthy deliberation regarding the troublesome Sons of Wrath.
"What of the miko, Sesshoumaru?" Asked the person walking beside the Lord of the West along the Hall of Judgment.
"What of the miko?" Sesshoumaru returned the question to the speaker.
"What do you intend to do about her?" Queried Takuma, Lord of the North and Second Cardinal.
"The miko will continue to live under my care and protection." The Lord of the West saw the knowing smile creep into the youkai's lips.
"Is that all, Sesshoumaru?" A wily look came at Takuma's eyes.
"What other reason would there be?" The First Cardinal fought the urge to roll his eyes in annoyance. He knew where this is heading.
"This one heard that the miko is very beautiful and powerful to boot." Takuma slid a glance at the regal taiyoukai while acknowledging the respectful bows from passing youkai along the hall.
As befitting his stature, Sesshoumaru, First Cardinal and Lord of the West did not acknowledge the respectful bows, it was expected of him. Bowing would be thought of as giving deference to others and he should be deemed impartial to everyone. This suited the great lord a lot since it really was against his nature to bow to anyone and anybody, well, maybe, except his father.
"Hn. I am aware of the fact." Sesshoumaru vaguely answered.
"And?" Takuma sidled closer. Silence. The demon lord heard an exasperated intake of breath from his old friend. "You're such a spoilsport, Sesshoumaru!"
"This one has never been one or will be." The taiyoukai sniffed further annoying his nosy colleague.
"Let's change the subject, shall we?" When no response was forthcoming the Second Cardinal plodded on. "So, how's my dear sweet Rin-chan?"
"My daughter is of good health. But like her kyoufu (godfather)," the inu taiyoukai glared at his friend. "she has taken it upon herself to annoy this Sesshoumaru asking inane questions about my personal affair."
The Lord of the North put a shocked expression on his face but the great lord wasn't convinced. "How could you think that of me!" The neko youkai clutched his heart. "And my poor god daughter!"
Sesshoumaru sniffed. "Poor goddaughter, indeed! I suspect that you two have been conspiring behind my back. I believe I will forbid my daughter from seeing you and Akiko…" He let the threat hang in the air.
"All right! All right!" Takuma threw up his hands in defeat. "Akiko will kill me if she doesn't see Rin, you know how close those two are. Grouch!"
Sesshoumaru smirked, glad that he put an end to the pointless questions. But were they really?
~O~O~O~
"Gods, it would be better if I just die instead of continuing this way…no more pain…no more death but mine….I must.."
"Oka-san?"
Questioning blue eyes found it focused on the stranger who called her 'mother.' It stared and then blinked once…twice. "Who…who are you…?"
"Don't you remember me, Kagome?" The lips pouted and the bright green eyes filled with tears and in a heartbeat she knew…
"Oh my God! Shippo!" And with that Kagome's heart suddenly came to life. "Oh, Shippo! My baby!" Kagome took the kitsune's face in her shaking hands and looked at him in amazement and in an instant mother and son is in a tearful embrace.
"Hello, mother…." Shippo felt his voice cracking up but he didn't care, even if Rin's there to witness it. He could feel Kagome's body shaking. He still can't believe it. She's here. She's back and by damn, he will do everything in his power to keep his mother with him this time.
Kagome felt the emptiness and sadness in her heart lifting at the sight of her beloved son. She laughed and pulled the young man into her embrace again. It was amazing. There she was a few moments ago and she wanted to end her life.
Rin, captain and hardened warrior of the Western lands was crying. She can't believe her eyes at the change in the older woman. It was like she was seeing a totally new person. She was scared for the miko for it would seem nothing could lift her out of that darkness that's pulling her in. Kagome was literally wasting before her very eyes. The warrior was almost out of her wits on how to shake Kagome out of it. As she could not disturb her father during deliberations in the Judgment Hall she took it upon herself to send Shippo from his training hoping that it would solve the problem.
And now, seeing how Kagome's eyes lit up with life and purpose made the gamble worthwhile.
Kagome lifted her eyes and saw the teary eyed young woman standing by the door. She held out her arms to the girl and after a short hesitation, the kitsune and the captain, both orphans, were held within the warm embrace of the woman who has been such an important part of their childhood and their life.
The three didn't notice the entrance of soft footsteps and the golden eyes that beheld the reunion between their mother and her children.
~O~O~O~
The one chanting at the corner suddenly snapped its eyes open. "It can't be!" It snarled in frustration.
"What? Tell me!" The deep voice demanded as it approached the seated one.
"The spell was broken!" It curled its clawed hands in fury. "I almost had her!"
"What? How could that be?" It stood and pointed at the seated one. "Do it again!"
"You don't have to tell me! I tried already! I can't bring the spell back!" Its dark eyes glared back.
"Damn it!" The voice slapped his thigh in exasperation. "So? What do we do now, huh?" The speaker resumed its pacing. "We'll either rot in this cell or that bastard executes us. Damn! Damn! Damn!"
The agitated speaker was suddenly pushed roughly at the wall, a hand clamped on its mouth. "Shut up! Honestly, father gave you the wrong name when you were born, you idiot!" The hand released the mouth just as roughly.
"Well, you looked calm for someone about to get executed! " The speaker wiped his mouth with a sleeve.
"Because someone has to do the thinking and that's not you! Now, shut up!" Red eyes glared at gray ones. "All is not lost, boys." The red-eyed youkai turned to the shadows beyond the bars. A glowing pair of eyes peered out from its depth.
~}O{~