Nestled within a valley sat the otherwise, unremarkable village of Gifu. A variety of small and large homes with thatched roofs lined the streets. On the horizon, fields of wheat and millet grew in neat rows which led up the mountain and around, surrounding the village.
The village however, was quiet. The cool mountain wind swept across the wheat fields, swaying the grain. Fall was harvest time. It was one of the busiest times of the year for villagers, and yet the fields were void of people. It seemed too that even the animals had left the area as well; not a bark of a dog or the squeak of a squirrel.
Kagome and Sesshoumaru stood on the opposite hill, looking down into the valley.
"It's abandoned. Didn't that snake youkai say that the snake army had settled here? Was she lying?" Kagome asked while drawing her cloak closer around her body.
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed as he searched the village for any signs of life. "The snake was not lying when she shared the information. If Toran is correct, it is a safe bet to say that they moved up the mountain into the Tengu's territory."
The rustle of feathers caught Kagome's attention and she pivoted around to see seven youkai with swords drawn. Large black feathered wings protruded from their leather armor clad bodies. The first feature that really stood out to Kagome, though, was their long noses. Tengu.
"Dog, what is your business here?" The one in front demanded. If it were possible for Sesshoumaru to scowl harder than he already was, he would have; Kagome even felt that greeting was a tad disrespectful.
"This Sesshoumaru is here because the snake clans are on a warpath through my lands. Why are you here? Tengu rarely leave their sacred lands."
The group of youkai visibly stiffened. Their breathing stilled. Their hands gripped their swords harder. Their silence told Sesshoumaru and Kagome what they already knew.
A young looking Tengu behind him pushed his way forward. "Hayato-san! Tell him what happened! Maybe he can help us!" The leader's jaw clenched.
Hayato's face darkened with fury. "Mind your place!" He shouted shoving the young youkai back.
"Is Asahito still on the mountain?" Sesshoumaru asked, ignoring their outburst.
The young Tengu shouted, "No! He's sick, they-" Another Tengu slapped him across the mouth to silence him.
Kagome had had enough. She took a step forward. The action earned her swords being pointed in her direction.
"Okay, hear me out. Obviously our territory overlaps with yours a bit. We are trying to push the snake youkai out of the Western territories. We heard a rumor that they had set up camp in this village, but it is apparent that they have moved into your mountain territory instead. We only want to help get rid of them. Please tell us what happened."
"Who is this insolent girl?" Hayato snapped at Sesshoumaru.
Kagome blinked, and in that span of time, Sesshoumaru had wrapped his hand around Hayato's throat. Hayato didn't even have a moment to strike. He dropped his sword in his attempt to pull the hand from around his neck.
"Kneel." Sesshoumaru instructed while pushing him to the ground. "This Sesshoumaru has given you no reason to be hostile. You will show this Sesshoumaru and his intended, Kagome, respect."
The other Tengu behind Hayato dropped to their knees with heads bowed. Sesshoumaru glanced over to the outspoken Tengu. "Young Tengu, come here."
Cautiously, the young tengu stood and moved to Hayato's side, his eyes still pointed downwards in a gesture of respect.
"What is your name?"
"My name is Yuuto...A thousand pardons, Sesshoumaru-sama. Please understand that we have been under much duress. I am certain my leader meant no disrespect to you or your intended. Please have mercy on us and our leader."
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed as he glanced down at Hayato and released him before turning his gaze back to Yuuto. "You are the only intelligent one in this group."
Kagome moved to his side. "Can you tell us what happened?"
"About a month ago, we noticed an influx of snake youkai into the area. It seemed they took over that human village overnight. We should have moved more swiftly to stop them, but others in our clan did not see a reason to save the humans. That was our first mistake. We kept an eye on them from the mountain, waiting to see if they would try to attack us. They did, but not as we expected it." Yuuto wrung his hands nervously as he finished.
"Did Asahito not protect you?" Sesshoumaru wondered out loud.
"He fell ill. He was unable to keep up our barrier on the mountain, much less stop the invading army."
"How did they attack? The mountain clearly serves as a natural fortress so it must not have been by physical means..." Kagome scanned the mountain in thought. No demon in their right mind would lead an army up that unless they knew the land…
"They poisoned us. They managed to taint our water supply. The weak have died, while the strong are too sick to fight."
"Could you please take us to the sick and injured? I would like to help." Kagome said looking
from face to face of each Tengu.
"Absolutely not! Yuuto, you fool, don't tell them!" Hayato snarled, raising his head.
"Silence!" Sesshoumaru barked, his youki flaring.
Yuuto looked past his leader to the other tengu. Each nodded their head without a word.
"We will take you to them." Yuuto said finally.
Hayato sputtered with rage. "You fools! Father will be so angry!"
One of the other Tengu placed a hand on his shoulder. "Do not worry. we'll make sure to tell father how much you protested."
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Thankfully their hidden location was not too far from Gifu. The Tengu brothers had led them through the forest until they came to a barrier. Hayato begrudgingly lifted the barrier to let everyone through.
As soon as they made it through to the other side, Tengu set upon them in a flurry of feathers and shouting:
"What's going on?!"
"Are you mad?!"
"Drop your weapons!"
"Traitors!"
Sesshoumaru paid them all no mind. "Take us to Asahito."
Everyone froze at the mention of the older Tengu. Hayato held his hands up to get everyone's attention. "Sesshoumaru-sama is here because he wants to defeat the snakes."
A large barrel-chested Tengu with a distinctive long nose pushed his way through the crowd. His bright eyes alighted on Sesshoumaru.
"Ah, greetings Sesshoumaru-sama." The tengu said as he gave a small bow. Kagome noticed that his severe look lessened a small bit at the sight of the Tengu.
"Hello, Shinobuto-san. This Sesshoumaru sees that they haven't run you off yet."
Shinobuto stepped closer to give a slap to Sesshoumaru's back as he barked out a hearty laugh. "Good to see you haven't lost your sense of humor. Come with me. I will explain the situation."
Kagome's mouth dropped open. I haven't seen anyone interact with Sesshoumaru on such a friendly basis before and not get killed over it.
The other Tengu grumbled and groused, but only one stopped Shinobuto by putting a hand on his shoulder. "My lord, is this wise? Do you truly trust him?"
Shinobuto smiled and reassured them. "Sesshoumaru is honorable. If there is a chance he could help us, we should take it."
Kagome moved to follow Sesshoumaru, but was pulled back. "Excuse me?" She blurted, half apologizing if she had missed someone, half asking what the problem was.
"Only Sesshoumaru-sama is allowed past this point." The Tengu guard informed her.
Kagome sighed in exasperation.
Sesshoumaru's eyes lingered on the Tengu's hand clenching her arm. "You will let go of her before I remove your head."
At the threat, the Tengu dropped her arm as if she were on fire.
"This is Kagome, former keeper of the Shikon no Tama. She is part of this Sesshoumaru's pack, and she is mine. Do not touch her unless you wish to die. She will accompany me everywhere," Sesshoumaru added with a bone-chillingly calm, which underlined the violence of his words.
Shinobuto's eyes widened as he turned and looked at Kagome up and down, regarding her as if she were a puzzle he had to unsolve before he smiled. He was clearly trying to alleviate the sudden tension in the air. "Very well. Please join us Kagome-sama."
Kagome followed after them, very aware of the other Tengu staring daggers into her back.
They moved further into the makeshift camp that the Tengu had hastily put together. Small tents were spread out here and there, and a few cooking pits dug into the ground nearby.
One thing that Kagome noticed right away, was the lack of women and children. Male Tengu milled about the camp preparing food and seeing to the injured. There was a large blue tent toward the middle of camp, that Shinobuto led them towards. Shinobuto paused before moving the flap of the tent as he turned to Sesshoumaru, his expression grim.
"He has not been well. It has made him even more belligerent than normal. Please keep that in mind as you speak with him."
Sesshoumaru nodded and they entered the tent. It was dark inside, with no candles lit, with only the few wisps of light from the tent flap moving in the wind. Incense burned somewhere, the smoke making the air hazy and thick. Shinobuto lit one candle; enough to show the state of his leader.
A large unconscious Tengu lay on a pallet. He had long gray hair that fanned out around his head. He seemed to be a rather fit for an elderly youkai. His most distinguishing feature was his extremely long, bulbous nose. His breathing was even, but...Kagome could tell even from across the room that he was not doing well. His youki was barely a whisper in the room. He was fading.
Kagome sat beside him and looked him over as much as she could without touching him.
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened at the state of the old youkai. "Asahito-dono."
"What happened? Why is he so ill?" Kagome asked softly.
Shinobuto folded his arms into his sleeves. "I believe he was poisoned along with much of our clan."
"Poisoned? Are you certain? This Sesshoumaru has not detected any poison..."
"We haven't been able to find the poison either, but it makes the most sense. About a month ago, Asahito-sama started showing signs of illness. He became weaker, and his mind began to go. Not long after, more of our clan started to show the same symptoms. It was around the same time that we noticed the snake youkai taking over the village."
Kagome looked to Shinobuto. "May I touch him?"
Shinobuto looked at Sesshoumaru, as if asking permission.
"Kagome has the ability to heal youkai." Sesshoumaru explained.
Shinobuto scratched his head. "Ehhh...What a strange day. Alright, Kagome-sama, you may."
Kagome softly touched Asahito's arm. He was barely holding on to life. Closing her eyes, she focused deeper on his body. Her reiki flowed out from her and curled around his body. Strangely, she felt something familiar.
"Tell us about the invasion. Where is the rest of your clan?" Sesshoumaru asked.
Shinobuto wiped a hand over his face. "They are being held prisoner in their own village. So many of us are ill that we could not defend ourselves. We lost many lives in battle and in the end, we had to retreat. Our women fought valiantly, but they could not defend both the sick and children. They allowed themselves to be captured to ensure the safety of the children. Asahito's wife is among them. If only Asahito were well... He would burn the place to the ground to get back his beloved wife."
Kagome faintly listened to the conversation taking place behind her.
Laying before her was a poisoned youkai, but not in the way she or anyone would have expected.
"Sesshoumaru-sama." She said getting his attention. With quiet steps, he moved beside her.
"He's been poisoned by reiki."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Author's note: Thank you everyone for the kind reviews. Reviews make me very happy! As always a huge thank you to my beta reader, Saruwarui. Another chapter should be out soon!