Chapter 25: Echoes of the Future

The entire room was breathless with anticipation as the Heir Apparent to their Lord attacked his sire's wife – and it was not missed by any there that not only did Touga not look worried, but that he had an enigmatic smile on his face as he watched his wife's little form disappear into the funnel of his son's power. Even Kenji showed no concern, his fangs revealed in the smirk he was wearing as he also watched what was about to happen.

For several long-seeming seconds nothing did – and then panicked shouts were ripped from throats as those in the room tried to crowd back against the walls to escape the massive aura that was suddenly revealed as Sesshoumaru's youki was snuffed out like a candle in a hurricane, pink reiki instead taking its place and swirling around the slender form of the girl now revealed standing at the center of the power storm in their midst.

Unharmed, Izayoi stared at Sesshoumaru's shocked face with hard finality. "Think you that weak attack would harm me? You will have to try much harder than that, son of my husband, if you wish to injure me." Face limned in pink light, each feature highlighted by the power that revealed eyes that were silver storm clouds in her set face, Izayoi stared down the enraged but also now uncertain inuyoukai male staring with narrowed eyes back at her. "I know not where you got your high opinion of yourself, but it is unwarranted. You are not the most powerful here, and if you thought to make me submit to one who is lesser than I then you have lost your mind. I said it in the audience hall, and I will say it again here – I will not submit to any who is not my Lord Husband. You are not my equal, Sesshoumaru, whether I am human or not. And certainly, in this subject, in the matter of the Shikon no Tama, you know less than nothing. Now is when the wise would sit down, be silent, and listen, for outa koni o shierarete asase wo wataru*1, is that not so? Perhaps if you were to listen more than speak for once you could also give your sire true counsel."

The awed silence was broken by Touga's chuckle even as Izayoi let her power fade away once more, her hair falling to settle down her back as the winds surrounding her dissipated and she once more took her seat next to her husband at his signal, knowing that he would not allow his son to challenge her any further – at least not today.

"Even a fool may give a wise man counsel*1," he said slowly, contemplatively, as his son scowled in anger. "How very true that is. Sit back down, Sesshoumaru, now." He glanced down fondly at his wife as his son reluctantly did as he was bid, knowing that to argue with his father at this point would do him no good. "You are full of these little wisdoms, my dear," he said softly, not paying any attention to the council members as they slowly crept back to their seats and watched with newly opened eyes the byplay between their Lord and his wife.

She shrugged, a spare, graceful movement. "A wise man, or woman," she smiled jaggedly, "knows first and foremost that they know nothing. It is truly better to be silent and listen than to open your mouth and confirm that you are a fool by speaking loudly of that nothing. As a woman in a world of humans I learned early to listen to everything around me while saying very little. And that is why, when I do not understand what is being spoken of I stay quiet... but when I do know the subject-" she shot a still stunned, though angry Sesshoumaru a glance, "-then I will certainly speak up. The Shikon no Tama is a subject I am... intimately acquainted with, you could say," she finished wryly. And then she turned to look at each member of the council with clear eyes. "As for the esteemed members of my Lord's council, know that you had no need for concern. I would never have harmed you."

A sputtering was heard, and one male that had so far not spoken piped up. "You can say that to us with a straight face?" he questioned incredulously. "You would have purified us!"

Sighing, Izayoi looked at Kenji, and the kitsune, with a very malicious grin, nodded at her. "Go ahead, my Lady. By all means, let us show them all just what kind of power that you have and the control that you also have over it, so that they no longer fear for their precious lives." He also glanced around the room, an expression of spite on his face for the other council members. "My Lady has perfect control. Watch closely and you will see."

Repeating the trick that she had used at the beginning of the summer to show her father her control of her reiki, she reached out with her shimmering aura and covered Kenji in it, and the kitsune kept the spiteful look on his face as he sat back and stretched nonchalantly, then glanced at his Lady. "A touch of your healing power, as well?" he asked, an enigmatic smile crossing his face when she nodded. "I thank you then, my Lady. I was feeling somewhat tense, and that felt wonderful."

The silence in the room as Izayoi tilted her head in acknowledgment of his thanks and drew her power back in was absolute.

It was Touga that broke into the tense silence. "As you can see, Izayoi is nothing like any other human who has ever existed. Not only is her reiki different in appearance than any other priestess since Midoriko, but she has a power and control that not even she did. Izayoi can not only purify youkai, but she can heal injured youkai, also. Or, as you saw, do nothing at all to them." He turned a glare on his son. "As for you, Sesshoumaru, it is time you get over this unseemly belief that you are better than everyone else. It is apparent to me now that not only do you despise humans, you despise other youkai as well because you see yourself as more powerful than they are. What you have yet to learn is that there are many forms of power, and one is not better than the other. My wife's father, for one. Hiraku of Setsuna is a warrior without equal. I have sparred with him myself – and he taught me swordplay, moves that I had never seen before. The sword truly sings for him – as it does for his brother and even his son."

"A... ningen Lord... taught you swordplay, my Lord?" came an astonished voice, and Touga glanced at the male who had uttered the question. "Hai. Most definitely. Several moves, in fact – ones that he personally developed, Tsutomu.* I was most impressed during my visit to Setsuna. The whole lot of them are warriors at heart – even my wife. Not only is she unequaled with a bow, even by any youkai, but she is very skilled with a staff – she has trained with it for a mere three years and yet carries the skill of one with three times that amount of training. And I have begun teaching her to wield a light katana, which she has taken to quite well. When we go to face the dragons she will do me proud."

Tsutomu looked at the demure and delicate-seeming female sitting next to his Lord, not sure what to think. Unlike most in the room, he did not automatically hate her just because of her humanity. But female humans, as all knew, were kept useless and brainless by their menfolk, so to hear what his Lord was saying of this one... certainly, her training as a priestess would have given her some skills, but... "My Lord... of what use would she be in a true battle? Especially as we all know that war is coming. In a matter of weeks we will be marching from the citadel, and a carriage will only slow us down."

Izayoi so wanted to make like Kagome and just roll her eyes, but truly, she understood where the male was coming from – for what human female was capable of participating fully in a war? Women were kept far from battle and coddled like children, considered incapable of dealing with such things. Priestesses and miko were only considered different because of the hand of the kami. She smiled, her eyes dropping to her hands as her husband laughed, his mirth obvious to all in the room.

"While in Setsuna I had the opportunity to participate in a few battles. There was a large group of bandits that had taken up attacking along the southern route out of his lands, and Hiraku took exception to their presence," he said amiably. "At the same time there came a need for Izayoi's intervention in a nearby area – so when her father marched out to battle with his men, Izayoi marched with us. We marched for one full day, then spent the next day marching again, then battling. She participated just as did every samurai there, Tsutomu. And then spent several more days on the march, dealing with a haunt, and then marching back home. No carriages, no coddling, no horses, and no slowing the army down. She marched at their pace."

"For a human, a rapid pace is as nothing to a youkai," Sesshoumaru said, finally speaking again after the showdown between her power and his and his father's reprimand. "Just because she can keep up with a weak human army means nothing to an army of youkai."

Touga glanced at his son. "There are ways around that, Sesshoumaru."

"Actually... I can keep up with you indefinitely. While I cannot fly-" she paused for a moment, looking thoughtful, "-or at least, I have not before considered the need for such a thing and have not attempted to do so, I can use my reiki to feed my own body healing power and almost unlimited energy, allowing me to move for long periods at higher speeds than would be considered normal," she said neutrally. "You need not be concerned that I will hold you back."

Touga looked interested at that. "Truly? How is that done?"

She looked at him, nonplussed. "Well, it is like what I just did with Kenji. As my muscles become tired and begin to wear down I can heal the damage of it on a continuous flow so that it never has the chance to break my body down very far at all. And with my reiki to draw on I can keep feeding myself that energy, allowing my body to use it continuously to keep myself going."

He scowled slightly. "Will such a thing harm you in any way?"

Shaking her head, she patted his arm comfortingly. "No."

He beamed at her. "You surprise me more and more, my love! What is there that you cannot do?" he asked expansively. He was surprised by her serious answer.

"Many things, Touga. I'm not a kami, and I don't want to be one. And in the end the jewel is a problem that I may not be able to solve." She sighed, then, irritation showing through. "It occurs to me to wonder why it is that the kami have forced me to deal with that hellborn jewel through three lives in an attempt to find the correct wish to rid the world of it and free Midoriko's soul. Why, if they are so eager for its destruction, do they not do it themselves? I have lost two lives already to its evil power, and though I was born with it inside me in my second life as Kagome, and that fact gave me a control over it that none other has had, still, I cannot see my way clear to what it is the kami are looking for," she said, her tone frustrated, not realizing that she'd just astounded and confused all those in the room with her save her husband and Kenji – and a very silent Nami, to an extent, since she had a basic idea of what Izayoi was speaking of after their little talk earlier.

Sesshoumaru was the most stunned. What is this nonsense she speaks? It isn't possible that the Shikon no Tama was... His thoughts were interrupted by Hisashi, who was echoing them quite well with his loud voice.

"What is this falsity you speak, woman?!" he exclaimed, coming to his knees and slamming his hands down on the table. "What you claim is not possible – our Lord has had possession of the jewel since Midoriko created it! Born inside you..." he huffed. "Touga-sama, really, I must protest! Surely you don't believe such nonsense!"

Face oddly blank, Touga met Hisashi's gaze with swirling golden eyes. "I think perhaps that you need to take the advice she gave my son and sit down, shut up, and listen. She tells no lies nor speaks nonsense. My wife, as I continue saying, is nothing like any other human alive. The kami have tasked her, for whatever reason, with destroying the Shikon no Tama, and the life she speaks of... where the jewel was born within her – was in the future, not the past. When she did not find the right wish at that time the jewel sent her back in time to live in this time and place," he said, no kind of emotion in his voice except endless cold.

"So she failed to find the right wish, twice so far," came a voice that was also cold. "Of what use is she, then, in this endeavor?"

Touga turned slowly to look at his son, every eye in the room widening at his stiff movements. As his youki began to rise, pressing heavily down on him once more, Izayoi sighed and shook her head. And then she laughed, startling Touga out of his rage.

"I must say, Sesshoumaru – you are certainly just as stubborn and determined to hate me in this life as you did in the one I lived before," she said, completely shocking all those in the room once again and watching with interest as the younger inuyoukai stiffened. "The only thing different about you is of course your younger age – and your clothing. In that era you wore white with clusters of cherry blossoms, white on red at the shoulders and sleeves," she said, relentlessly naming off the end of the world as those in the room knew it with her words. "And of course the same armor you wear now, though your obi was purple and gold in that time."

Without realizing it she'd just set the entire room on its ear, and the silence was suddenly taken over by the babble of voices all shouting at each other, though Touga was sitting calmly once again with an enigmatic smile on his face that for some reason, Kenji was also sporting. Sesshoumaru did not miss this.

"You must have mentioned this subject to her, father, for her to truly know about such things," the heir said, the voices in the room calming for a moment at his words, then raising in support.

Slowly, enjoying disabusing them of their determination to believe her false, Touga shook his head. "No. We never spoke more than in passing, twice only, of you – and never of your clothing. What she knows she knows from that future time."

The room fell quiet again as all eyes landed on a still smiling Izayoi. Finally, Sesshoumaru spoke up. "In that future time you speak of, you knew this one?"

She nodded.

"How far into the future was this?" he asked, unable to help his curiosity. It has to be some time from now, for those clothes she describes... they are only to be given to me on my majority. A chill struck him. Or if I were to become Lord in father's place.

"It was quite some time in the future," she replied easily enough, "two hundred years, give or take a few."

"How did you know me?" he asked then, his voice still cold, though no one in the room could mistake the intensity of his gaze for anything other than the utmost curiosity.

Interested gazes didn't miss the frown that crossed the young woman's face, nor the thoughtful expression in her eyes. "I still remember very little of your part in that life, though I know that I knew you fairly well. We were... enemies, at first, though later we became... allies of a sort against a being that we both had cause to despise. Although I'm not sure of all the details of why you were after him, I certainly remember why I was." She shivered. "But I do remember this – you hated this being. He was a hanyou – a created spider hanyou, formed when a dying human bandit gave his soul to a horde of lower youkai so he could live on. He wanted a certain woman, a miko, though she did not want him." She chuckled mirthlessly. "It's the same fate Midoriko faced, is it not?"

"Weakness," he hissed. "It is a weakness to desire a human female so."

Izayoi looked at him, her eyes considering as they wandered over his tense form. After a moment, she shook her head. "No," she said musingly, "you see it as a weakness to desire even a youkai female. It's the desire that you fear, not the person behind it. You have shut yourself off to everything save your quest to become greater than your father, Sesshoumaru – but until you learn the one thing he has tried to teach you, you never will. You will never even equal him, let alone surpass until you stop fearing to open yourself to the flame. Emotion might burn and sear you, but it also tempers. And that is something that you sorely need."

He snarled at her, his hackles rising. "You know nothing, woman!"

"I know that it isn't really even about surpassing your father – not at its core. No... the truth is, you want to be him. And more than anything you wish for his respect – because he is really the only thing on this earth that you respect," she said softly, not even flinching as she took everything that was inside him and tossed it out for all to see.

Enraged, stunned that she could see so well into him, that she'd known him so well in that other future and devastated to have his deepest desires, ones he'd hidden even from himself for so long brought into the light of day, he stood and with a glare of icy disdain swept from the room. He was unable to even say a word in answer to her reading of him, leaving a heavy silence behind him.

One thing was for certain, however – he no longer doubted her story.

Neither did anyone else – and for one person in the room, the new bride of the Taisho was a panic-inducing personage whose presence would need to be passed on to Ryukotsussei as soon as he could possibly get away.

She was a danger to all their plans in ways he wasn't even sure Touga had contemplated. Or at least it was to be hoped not, because if he had then the Inu Lord was way ahead of the game they were playing, and suddenly things weren't looking so good to the traitor in the room as he listened with barely held worry to the conversation still going on around him.

He hadn't noticed Touga's icy gaze directed his way due to his worry over the female sitting next to the Lord he'd betrayed, but others had, and the speculation would soon grow. The noose would begin to tighten very shortly...

Touga was indeed watching the one he suspected of betraying not only him but every citizen of the West, and easily took note of the male's worried expression – and for once wished he could be a flea on the wall for that conversation, for he had no doubt that the male would be contacting Ryukotsussei quite shortly in a panic for being faced with his little wife - and her potential.

He smiled smugly deep inside as he imagined the overly large snake's expression when confronted with the information not only of how he'd spent the summer, which Ryukotsussei had been so desperate to find out as to precipitate the war, but also the havoc that the object of that information might play on his coming attempt at taking the West away from its rightful Lords.

And that wasn't even talking about Izayoi's involvement with the Shikon no Tama... the whole reason for Ryukotsussei's attempt in the first place.

Allowing the babble to continue for some time, Touga simply sat back and listened as his councilors debated amongst themselves about the things they'd so far learned this day, and waited for them to once again quiet down as the need for further answers became evident – which it would. Izayoi followed his lead, sitting quietly with her hands clasped in her lap and her eyes closed off so as not to give away any of her own thoughts on what she was hearing. Nami also said little, though Kenji himself interjected several comments in order to keep the discussion going for as long as possible – one never knew just what might fall out of mouths loosened by startling circumstances and shocking allegations such as what had been heard in this room already this day.

Finally, though, the noise level died down, and Hisashi spoke up.

"My Lord... if what you are saying is true and there is, indeed, a traitor here in this room with us, then what are we going to do about current events? Surely, it is too dangerous to allow this traitor to speak of our meetings to Ryukotsussei."

Touga grunted. "We will do what we must, Hisashi. We will go to war."

"But my Lord! We risk giving all away! Surely there is a better way than speaking of our plans in council, knowing that our words are being passed right on?"

"And what do you suggest, then? Should I temporarily disband the council?" he asked, a sly expression coming to his face as he waited for the reaction to what he was actually planning to do anyway. "That is the only way to avoid such a thing, is it not? Would you actually advocate such a... drastic action?"

Again, an uproar broke out, with most voices echoing the sharp dissent. However, tellingly, there were several there that had troubled looks on their faces – looks that presaged those males doing something they didn't like the sound of, because it was necessary. Those were the ones that would be returning to the council when Touga reinstated it, because they were willing to lose their position for the greater good.

It was Tsutomu that spoke for that faction of the council after exchanging looks with those he led. "We agree, Touga-sama, that such a thing is most likely our best chance to keep the traitor in our midst from learning any more of our top secrets." He grimaced. "While I do not like allowing myself to become blind, which is what this amounts to, there is no choice – the needs of our homeland must come first for those who truly serve." Those males that followed his lead all nodded, ignoring Hisashi's and several other faction leaders voices that were raised in dissent.

Turning to look down at his little wife, who'd been quite silent so far, Touga asked, "What do you think, my love? Is there perhaps something you might wish to add to the discussion?"

Izayoi was silent for so long that he almost didn't think she was going to answer, so when she did the room fell silent once more so everyone could hear just what she was going to say.

"Are you sure there is only one traitor?" she asked in return, her voice falling like glass into the heavy silence.

Frowning, Touga looked at her sharply. "What do you mean, Izayoi? My spy told me that Ryukotsussei has one male high in my trust now working for him – someone that knew of the Shikon no Tama and my guardianship of it. Which means someone on this council. But only one person was spoken of. Why do you ask?"

She met his gaze for a moment, then looked thoughtfully around the room. "It occurs to me that just because there is one traitor who is answering to the dragon Lord does not mean that there were not others who were answering to the traitor, without realizing that he had gone outside of these lands in its pursuit. They may have thought to work with this male to gather the location of the Tama and then take it for themselves, not knowing that this other male had already sold his hand – and by extension, the jewel - to Ryukotsussei. Of course, it goes without saying that you were right in your words earlier – that this male probably thought to double-cross the dragon when it came time to actually take the jewel... since wherever the jewel is, there are plots within plots to cross and doublecross, leaving friend fighting friend, and family killing family... and all for the false promise of power it gives off."

Someone snorted, and Izayoi turned her eyes to see one of the heretofore silent members looking at her with irony and quite a bit of arrogance. "It isn't a false promise of power, you foolish woman. It definitely has power to bestow on whosoever gains it."

For some reason, that answer in that tone of voice set fire to her usually calm temper and she came to her feet, staring at the suddenly wary male with angry eyes – to her husband's and Kenji's definite interest.

"You are the fool. Think you that the Shikon is easy to subdue and use? The Shikon no Tama is a living thing – with a will of its own-" her voice gained in intensity, leaving the male completely spellbound by her, "-and a wish of its own. But it cannot wish on itself – and so it needs those foolish enough to fall for its false promises to make the wish for it. You would become little more than a puppet to its will were you ever to take it and in your arrogance think to use it for yourself."

This was something that Izayoi hadn't ever mentioned to Touga, nor Kenji, and both looked fascinated – and concerned.

"What is it that the jewel wishes for, my Lady?" Kenji asked, a frown on his face as he thought over her words.

"Immortality," she said, her own voice loaded with irony now, "what else? It knows the kami want it gone and it knows that I am supposed to wish it away. It, like everything else, does not wish to give up its life, such as it is, and so it would wish for eternity – to defeat me and the kami. If it succeeded..." she shuddered after a moment, "the world would become a desolate place, indeed," she finished bleakly as apocalyptic visions of such a future played out behind her eyes.

All there were able to hear her actual fear of such a thing happening, but it was a lot for them all to take in – conventional wisdom on the jewel was that it was simply a power source with little or no will of its own. For them to acknowledge her words... some on the council, those who were indeed, just as she'd suspected, hoping to get their hands on it and use it for themselves were unable to accept her words, because if they were true then their dreams of power and domination were all in vain.

"I don't believe it," the same male mocked her after glancing around at the rest of the council. "It's just a jewel – how could it have a will of its own?"

Izayoi's eyes had flicked up to meet his again as he started speaking, her own darkening as he continued to speak. Incensed at his continuing stupidity, she snapped, "Is it not the soul of Midoriko? It is not a simple receptacle that some baka used to house their power ages ago – it was born of a human miko and the souls of many evil, lower level youkai, you fool. It is a living thing, a living being trapped in a crystalline form!"

A skitter of uneasiness passed through the room at the passionate response from her, leaving more of the group wondering just what fate the girl feared. But those who wanted the power it held continued to scoff, and with a sudden dangerous smirk, Izayoi eyed the four males that were continuing to insist that she was either lying deliberately in order to keep the jewel for herself or was just a foolish human woman and so didn't know what she was speaking of.

Izayoi watched them from under her bangs, making a note to have Touga set spies to watching those males – they were far too enamoured by the thought of the jewel to be entirely innocent of plotting to get their hands on it. But she didn't want to give away her suspicions, so she fell silent and let Touga take over, allowing him to chastise the males for their disrespect towards her.

He wasted no time in lashing out against the most vocal male with his whip, sending a massive shock through the system of said male and disintegrating him while everyone else submitted, hoping through their stillness to avoid suffering the same fate as his. Within moments he had disappeared into the lightening of Touga's whip at half power, and into the once more shocked silence he spoke, his words cold and cutting and quite clear.

"I will not say this again. Do not disrespect or mock my wife. Next time there will be no warnings – I will react as though you were disrespecting and challenging me. Is that clear?"

Murmured assent rose from the group, though Izayoi could tell they were all still shocked at what had just happened. Truthfully, so was she. She hadn't expected him to kill someone over their words, but with the scent of ozone and burned hair still permeating the room, she certainly couldn't deny what had happened. But after a moment of uneasiness, she shrugged, and sighing inwardly once more took to heart that her husband was youkai and they did things and saw things differently. In the end, though, even human Lords would react to disrespect in the same manner, so it wasn't even just a youkai thing, and after that realization she let the subject go and moved on.

Touga sat back and stared at each person in the room with a grim smile, knowing that this day's work was going to be the impetus for retaking his council and kicking the corrupt beings off of it. By the time he was done there would be far less members, and Tsutomu would be leading what was left of it. He was a much more trustworthy sort than any of the others, as were those following him, as they had just proved this day with their willingness to give up their posts for the good of the Western Lands.

"It seems that my spies and my suspicions were correct in their assessment of most of this council as corrupt and power-mad. It is clear from this day's events that a complete changing of the guard is necessary, so to speak. From this day forward until the day I know for certain who the spy – and other traitors-" he sent an ironic glance around the room again, "-are, this council is dismissed. Each of you are to leave your rooms here in the palace and instead go to the city below to stay until this war is over."

Anger spilled from many in the room, as well as fear and apprehension, but Touga ignored it and Kenji's heckling of certain of the council members as well, calling out to Tsutomu, instead. "You will attend me, Tsutomu. We must speak, you and I."

The male sent a piercing glance at his Lord and then nodded, motioning away his faction's concerns. "It is fine. Go. I will speak to you all later."

It was clear from the expressions on several of the faces that they were thinking that it was Tsutomu that was under suspicion, but they couldn't have been more wrong. And while they were busy speculating on that matter, they weren't noticing some of the other things going on around them... but Kenji certainly noticed the several furtive looks that were being sent between four of the now ex-council members, and immediately set his little friend Imoshinai,* who had so far been hidden in his sleeve, on to those males – he was positive that they were the traitors, and was determined to find out for certain as soon as possible. This was war, and it was a bad time to be worrying over what some damn turncoat might be giving away to the enemy.

That wasn't even mentioning what those who were simply after the jewel might do if they were to find out where Touga had it hidden. There was danger all around, and unfortunately not all of it was at a distance, like Ryukotsussei. Some of the creeping evil was right here in the citadel with them, but hopefully they could soon have it rooted out. As long as they got the head, the rest of the snake would die, as well. And it would be even better if Izayoi could rid the world of that blasted jewel – then perhaps they wouldn't have to worry about betrayal from within any longer.

As the room emptied Kenji caught sight of Arata and cocked a brow at him – the male cocked one back in question, and Kenji shook his head and then turned to look at his sister, who was not used to sitting in on council matters, and quietly asked her thoughts on what had occurred, curious to see what she, as someone new might have noticed. Her first words were of the traitors and who she thought they might be – and a mention of just how intelligent Izayoi really was to pick up on things so quickly.

After she finished speaking, not surprisingly pointing out the same four he had noticed, Kenji once more met Arata's gaze; the male had moved closer as the doors into the room were closed as all those that were normally there left. "You were awfully quiet, Arata, hiding there in the back of the room. What did you think of this day's events?"

"I agree with your sister – the new Lady is very smart," he said immediately, glancing over at Izayoi, who was listening intently to the conversation between her husband and Tsutomu. "She isn't like any human wench I've ever met, that's for sure." He slowly perused her form, making sure to keep his Lord from seeing the look. "She's also quite beautiful – though she doesn't seem to be aware of that fact."

Kenji let out a bark of laughter. "Oh, she's been told often enough, but it embarrasses her. She's... modest – at least about her looks. But I wouldn't ever let Touga-sama catch you ogling her, Arata, or old friend or not you're going to find yourself without eyes to ogle anyone again."

"So... as I suspected this alliance isn't about the war at all, is it?" he asked, leaning back and idly flicking his claws as he watched the recently wedded couple from under heavy-lidded eyes.

"No, not really. It may have begun that way, but... if you attempt to come between them you will find an inu who is much more jealous and insane than even a typical youkai would be. They love each other," he said blandly, though something in his voice caught his sister's attention.

She frowned, suddenly concerned. "You... Kenji... you didn't... did you? Want her for yourself, I mean?" she stuttered, completely blindsided. Her brother had always been notoriously difficult to please... surely a human, even an extraordinary one, wouldn't have caught his attention in such a manner.

He turned his gaze on her and after a moment he smiled. "If she hadn't been meant for something far greater, yes, I would have wanted her for myself. But I knew from day one what her fate was and I deliberately strangled any such feelings. I love the girl to death, but it is as another sister, Nami, so do not worry for me," he finished, his voice low so that Izayoi wouldn't hear. He didn't want such a thing making things awkward between them.

"She must be something else again, then, for her to be so high in your esteem, Kenji," Arata remarked idly, his fingers playing with a fold of cloth across his knee, his gaze speculative as he met the other kitsune's. "The entire citadel knows how impossible it is to please you – even your parents have given up on ever seeing you marry."

Kenji bowed at the waist mockingly. "Ah, but it is as you said, Arata – I am kitsune and like variety, I am not inu, wanting only one master."

Arata blinked, then burst into laughter even as Nami scolded her brother. "And how did you hear of that comment, and so soon after returning, Kenji? You were nowhere in the citadel when I made that statement."

"I would not be much of a useful servant to our Lord if I could not ferret out such things, Arata," he murmured, buffing his claws on his hem and looking them over critically.

The playboy of the kitsune race shook his head after a moment, an enigmatic smile on his face. "It is too bad you don't enjoy the pleasures to be found on the other side of the bed, Kenji. You would be an excellent lover, you know. Lots of fun and intrigue as well."

Nami choked and looked at the errant kitsune with wide eyes. "That is far too much information, Arata! I didn't really want to know your proclivities!"

"It's not as if the entire citadel doesn't know," he shrugged carelessly. "And truthfully, are not most kitsune the same as I? We even have such a reputation amongst humans. It is just the ones that are like your family that are against such things."

Nami humphed. "And it is a good thing, too – if we left it to you weirdos, the kitsune race would disappear, since male and male cannot produce young!"

"I am not against procreating with a female, Nami – I love females as well as males. And someday when I choose to marry I will take a female and have my own young, as well. But right now I am not married and so free to take my pleasures where I find them." He cast a sideways glance full of mischief at the bristling female. "What about you, pretty little Nami? Would you like to have a good romp in the bedchambers? I promise you won't regret taking the time!"

An indignant expression crossed her face, but before she could respond Touga interrupted their small talk.

"Such talk is not for the council chambers, Arata – this is serious, and it is time to act that way," he reprimanded, and blushing slightly, Nami gave Arata the cold shoulder as she turned and scooted to sit behind her new Lady, while an ironically smiling Arata winked at her before being elbowed by a disapproving Kenji.

Touga almost rolled his eyes at his amorous friend's antics before bringing the conversation back to the topic at hand.

"These others on the council that you felt might be working together to gain the location of the jewel from me, Izayoi... any ideas as to who they might be?" he asked, wondering if she had perhaps noticed something that might help identify for certain those who would overthrow the West to their own control.

She looked troubled. "I don't know the names of all of your councilors," she began slowly, "but I am certain the one you killed was part of the scheme. He could not accept my words about the jewel and its will because to do so would be to realize that his dreams of conquest and power were never going to happen. There were several others who might also be part of such a plot, but it is hard to be certain, especially as I am just meeting them for the first time."

Touga nodded, but before anything else could be said, Kenji offered up three other names. "I have put one of my spies on them. I noticed them as well as one other all exchanging glances – worried glances. But one other thing I noticed was that when you mentioned a spy that was working with the dragon, those three looked at the fourth with narrowed, suspicious eyes. If nothing else, I think your accusation has spurred a possible division in that group. It is something we might be able to use."

Izayoi nodded, drawing everyone's eyes again. "It occurs to me, though... this spy working for Ryukotsussei? It might be best to leave him alone for now... and allow him to be fed certain carefully selected false information. You might thus be able to control when the war will start instead of having your enemy make said decision," she said, flushing a little at the admiring looks the males were sending her.

Tsutomu watched her from under beetling gray brows, his eyes cautious but thoughtful. "Hai... that is not a bad suggestion at all. One wonders how you became so devious, especially as a child of man. It is well known that humans think females useless, and to find one like you is a... rarity," he said carefully.

Touga chuckled, catching Kenji's eye. Both males smiled. "Hiraku of Setsuna is different, Tsutomu. I already told you that. He is more akin to a youkai than most youkai I know, oddly enough. He never stifled his daughter, though he did not like the thought of her becoming a warrior, that was more for the dangers she would face than because he didn't think her capable. Izayoi was raised much as any youkai female would be, so though she is human you must instead think of her as a youkai. You will be more comfortable doing so, and not spend so much time underestimating her because of your preconceptions of humans."

The male continued to contemplate her, and after a moment said, "And you are certain, my Lord, of her loyalty?" He bowed lightly to Izayoi. "No offense, my Lady, but I must be sure."

The inuyoukai frowned, obviously displeased, but Izayoi smiled at him and shook her head. "Don't be angry, Touga. He is only wishing to protect his homeland and do right by his Lord. One cannot fault him for that, and he does not know me. It is simple, natural caution to suspect those one does not know."

Meeting her sincere gaze, Touga nodded after a moment. "Hai, I know. I just do not take well to those who question you, my love." He smiled at her for a moment, which she returned, and then looked back into the assessing gaze of Tsutomu. "Izayoi is more trustworthy than anyone else. We truly are bound, and were she hiding any falsity within I would be able to feel it. She is loyal to me, and that is all that counts."

A brow quirked. "Bound?"

"Yes, Tsutomu, bound. Our powers bound us in the same manner that the closest couples of our kind find themselves bound. I can literally feel all of her within me. And there is no blight of falseness within her," Touga responded.

The male seemed to be very surprised; looking between the couple with widened eyes he struggled to take in the fact that his Lord, a youkai of immeasurable power, was bound to this human woman – a miko of also immeasurable power. The two powers should not have been able to combine in such a manner at all...

Kenji knew exactly what the male was thinking. "It has to do with her power, Tsutomu. It is different from other miko. Very different. So... while she can purify evil youkai, she can also heal those who are not, and even, as you saw earlier, do nothing at all to one with youkai blood. Her power was... made by the kami to be able to blend with a youkai – I know of no other explanation for it except the hands of the gods... I saw it for myself at the wedding. It was beautiful, and so powerful," he sighed.

"Evil youkai?" Tsutomu frowned, thinking of the words that humans were always spouting in relation to youkai.

Izayoi smiled gently at the male, her eyes softening. "Yes, Tsutomu-san. Evil youkai. As opposed to those youkai who are good and honorable. Just as there are evil youkai, there are evil humans – and I can also purify them. Oh," she said, in answer to his surprised expression, "they themselves don't die, because my energy is too much akin to humanity to do that – but it purifies the evil from them, leaving them cleansed of it. Youkai are completely purified by my energy when I allow it because the energy of a youkai is different to that of a human. I have thought, lately," she said then, looking over at her husband, "that it is even possible that I could take an evil youkai and purify the evil intent from them, as well, without purifying the youkai – if I were to do it in steps, perhaps. You know – purify as much as possible one time, stopping short of purifying them completely, then waiting for a little time for their youki to recover, before exposing them to my reiki again."

All those there looked intrigued by what she was saying. "You have not spoken of this before, my dear," Touga said leadingly, wondering when such a thing had occurred to her.

She chuckled ruefully. "Truthfully, with everything that has happened this summer there wasn't really time to even think on the idea much. But I could not help but wonder... of course, it need not be said that I've never tried such a thing, and it is a thought, a possibility only."

"Still," a critical voice came, "it is more than most have done – to acknowledge that just because you are youkai does not mean you are evil. That youkai and evil are not synonymous terms. And then to take it a step further and postulate that even one that has been steeped in evil thoughts could possibly be saved? You are truly a unique young woman," Tsutomu said, appraising her again, "and I begin to see what so fascinated my Lord in you. Besides your beauty, of course," he said with a bow from the waist.

An instant flush of discomfort crossed her face, and Izayoi clasped her hands in her lap to keep them still. "I thank you for the compliment," she sighed, inwardly wondering why she'd never managed to become more comfortable with compliments on her looks. She always wanted to blush and demur, but she knew Touga would not like it if she were to do so – of course, he was always and forever telling her how beautiful he thought she was, and that was embarrassing enough, but to have others doing it? Why couldn't they just compliment her mind or something, instead, and leave her looks out of it?

Touga beamed at Tsutomu, pleased at his words. "She is both beautiful and intelligent, is that not so? I could not have done better if I had made her myself, for she is perfect for me." His smile faded after a moment, though, and a serious expression took over his face. "For now, you are to remain here in the palace. But the group of councilors that you lead, have them stay in the city with the others – have them keep their ears open and watch the others closely. Even though we are already on to the ones we think are the danger there are other things that are just as dangerous, though different, that we may not know of or foresee that some might become involved in. If we do not say anything about your circumstances officially, the rest of the council might think you are being watched, and this might loosen their tongues."

The elder councilman nodded with a small smile. "Indeed. I know for a fact that Hisashi will absolutely revel in the thought that I am under suspicion and being watched so closely. Shake that tree," he said in an aside to Touga, "and you have no idea what might come falling out. But I cannot help but wonder what other rats might also try to desert what looks like a sinking ship."

"Indeed. Perhaps by the time this little war is over we will have managed to rid ourselves of most of the vermin in the palace, eh?" Touga agreed with a chuckle.

With murmured agreement all around, Touga stood and pulled his wife to her feet and led them all from the room, Tsutomu breaking off almost immediately to go speak to his faction and give them their instructions. It would not do to seem too cozy with their Lord at this juncture, after all, so he wouldn't be seen in his company often, though he would be with someone their Lord trusted – probably Arata. Those seeing him with such company would only be more convinced he was under watch, which would help their cause.

Touga looked down at his little wife with a discerning eye and noted the tired lines around her own eyes with concern. It had already been a long day for her, and he was proud of how she had held up. But with nothing pressing at this time he could afford to take an hour or so and nap with her before meeting with his Generals after the evening meal. So with a quick glance and a few quiet words he dismissed Kenji and Nami to their own devices, letting them know that they should be waiting at the doors into the couple's rooms at a quarter candlemark to the evening meal. Both bowed and then made themselves scarce as their Lord took his wife's hand and held it as he led her through the corridors and up stairs to their rooms.

Izayoi was truly grateful for her husband in that moment - she was, indeed, very tired, almost wilting; she smiled wearily at him as he dismissed the others.

"Come, my love," he said quietly as he led her down a silent hall, "we will go take a nap, for I know it has been a long and difficult day already for you – and the evening is still to come, with dinner and then more meetings with my Generals. Yes, you will attend them," he said in answer to her silent query. "You will be involved in all aspects of the war to come, Izayoi. For you are a helpmate for me, one who I can share the heavy weight of ruling with so that it is not so heavy. I have longed for such for a long time, indeed," he sighed as he slid their door open and led her inside. "It is wonderful to no longer be alone."

There was a note of such loneliness in his voice as he said that, that Izayoi couldn't help but frown up at her husband in concern. She could hear just how lonely he had been, and the thought of it saddened her deeply, though...

"You were not truly alone, Touga – I'm sure you had plenty of onname."* She frowned at the thought, a powerful surge of jealousy slitting her eyes with temper all of a sudden. "Men speak plenty after pleasures have been had of things that are on their mind, and I'm sure you were no different."

Touga frowned in return, not liking where her thoughts had led her. "That was long ago, Izayoi, and even then I did not speak of things in the manner you are thinking. Why do you worry about such?"

"How would you feel if I had been the one to know other males?" she asked tartly.

A dangerous growl rolled through the room at that, but after her nod and knowing expression he sighed, understanding what she was saying.

"It truly was not the same, my love. They were not my equals, not my wives, and I could not and would not share the rule of these lands with them. I did not even have that many, truthfully. Concubines are dangerous and have destroyed many a house and ruler. You are different." He moved closer to her and took her upset and tired form into his arms, a loving look on his face that had her pausing in her vengeful thoughts. "You are my wife, my helpmate, the love of my life, Izayoi, something that no one else has ever been, nor could ever be. I tell you this now... if death were to take you from me first I would follow you, for I could not do as your father has done and stay behind for so many years. I would always be longing for you with such depth that I would be of no use to my lands any longer. I have to give him respect for his strength of will... I would not be as strong faced with surviving the loss of you, my aisai."*

Flushing, Izayoi sighed inwardly, certain that the jealousy that had surged through her at the thought of his former concubines and lovers would never dissipate. But it was not something she could do anything about, so there was little point in worrying over it.

"I understand what you are saying, though I cannot help but be jealous of them," she said finally, looking away from her beautiful husband. Then something occurred to her, and her eyes narrowed again as she looked up at him. "They are long gone, are they not?"

Touga looked almost insulted at that. "Of course they are! Did I not tell you that youkai are jealous beings and that it is not considered very good for ones health to have mistresses, or for the female to have lovers while looking for a husband or wife? When a youkai decides they wish to find someone and settle down, they dismiss all lovers or mistresses beforehand. When such happens it is a clear sign that the youkai in question is about to start looking for a spouse. I was no different – when I chose to approach your father about gaining your hand I dismissed my few concubines and have had no other females since then."

Izayoi looked surprised at that. "You mean... you dismissed them... three years ago?" she asked breathlessly.

"Hai. Though I knew it would be some time yet before you were of age, I became so fascinated by you so quickly through Kenji's letters and his portrait that I had no room for any other female in my mind, and did not miss those females in the slightest. Truly, between playing that damn dragon's games and learning of you I was plenty busy, and I am glad that I waited. And of course, it was only honorable – how could I take out desire for one female on another? I grew to want you, my love, and was perfectly willing to wait for you to finish growing."

Though her heart softened with love for her handsome youkai husband, Izayoi still couldn't stop the hurt and jealousy that came with thoughts of him touching another woman, and she had to forcibly fight off the feelings that came with such thoughts. It wasn't really something that had occurred to her before, and she wasn't too thrilled that it had occurred to her now, either. Jealousy was a darkness in one's soul – something that the Shikon no Tama would be able to use against her, just as it had used jealousy of Kikyou against her as Kagome.

"Come, my love," her husband chivied her towards the bed with an encouraging smile, "think not of such matters. Those days are long gone and will never come again – and I am happy it is so."

She allowed him to pull her into the actual bedroom, which she hadn't yet seen – but as she caught sight of the truly huge, thick futon in the center of the room, she couldn't help the direction of her thoughts, and her eyes narrowed again. Touga caught her expression and the direction of her gaze and seemed to understand where her thoughts had gone once again very easily.

"No, Izayoi," he said, his voice going slightly stern as he attempted to put a stop to this whole crazy conversation, "I never brought any female to my futon. One's bedchambers are only to be shared with a wife. When one has concubines they are kept to certain rooms and areas, and one visits them there. Now stop thinking of those things, little wife. Since the moment I chose you I have remained faithful and not touched nor thought of another. And though it was strange having to wait for you to grow up, I could not be more content and joyful that I did. Now," he said, his fingers going to his own obi, "undress and slip into your sleeping yukata."

With a sigh Izayoi turned away and searched out those chests which held her clothing, pleased to find them set against one wall while Touga's were against a different one. Quickly pulling out her light silk sleeping yukata she began to disrobe, so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice the sudden stillness of her husband – nor his bleeding eyes. She did, however, notice quite well when large, warm hands came from behind to caress her now undressed form and warm breath heated the skin of her neck, causing a responsive shiver to slide down her spine as her head fell back against his chest.

"Mmm," he mumbled as he nuzzled into her warm flesh. "You always smell so delicious, my love." He licked at her skin, that relishing sound coming again and making her flush hotly at the decadent sound of enjoyment he was releasing. It made... things... ache deep down inside, and as he openly scented her, she knew he could smell what his nearness and touch was doing to her. "You have no idea how much I just wanted to haul you away and take you, earlier today. The strength you showed towards my people as you walked beside me, refusing to be intimidated – it made my ever present need for you flare to new heights." He chuckled wickedly as another shiver went down her back and then nipped her shoulder, grinning at the gasp that wrenched from her throat. "All those around us could sense my desire for you, and I've no doubt the gossip is racing like wildfire throughout the citadel – that I carry such obvious passion and desire for my new wife, who is a small, human female. The scandal will no doubt rock the palace and city below," he finished, sounding quite pleased that it was so.

And as he increased the passion, sweeping her into their new bed for an afternoon of loving, all thoughts of other females were forced from Izayoi's mind by the openly adoring touch of her husband.

Though neither got too much sleep that first time together in their bed, neither one really missed it all that much, and the talk was fueled to even greater heights as the two made their way through the palace to dinner by the scent of what had so recently occurred between them. It was becoming quite clear to everyone they came in contact with that their marriage was no cold alliance for politics and war...

But an alliance of warmth and passion...

Affection, and even... love.

It was truly scandalous.

For one pair of eyes, though, it was more than that – it was rage and hatred and jealousy born into the plotting of a death.

Teruko watched the two from the shadows and vowed to make Touga regret choosing anyone but her as a wife. While the other females like Chiaki would be angry, they would be too afraid of his wrath to actually do something about this kami-forsaken marriage.

She was... not.

~oOo~

A/N: And finished! This time I was nice and didn't leave a cliffie for all the lovely readers. The second mistake that I put in the fic was caught by the lovely Glon Morski! Last chapter, at the beginning of the fic, I called Touga Mattaki instead – as though this were Between Gods and Devils. Props to Glon Morski for Sharp eyes! Also, the third mistake is somewhere in that chapter as well – though in order to notice it, you will have to remember an earlier chapter, as it is a little bit more of a difficult mistake to catch. Good luck!

*Tsutomu-diligence.

*Imoshinai-unseen, invisible

*onname-mistresses or concubines.

*aisai-beloved wife

Edited 11/13/13