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Two years came and went by quickly and the western empire flourished through trade and manufacturing. It was Kagome's vast knowledge of future markets and economies of scale that made it all possible.
The land wasn't rich in natural resources, in fact it was quite limited, but with the vast wealth that Sesshomaru had amassed during his long life they were able to secure two large merchant ships that sailed around Asia to purchase raw materials that were needed for manufacturing.
For domestic production they made the finest quality porcelain tea sets and eating apparatus. They even made intricately crafted figurines, hair combs and irons, jade jewelry and cosmetics. The land had titanium but it was not yet the time period to make use of it, however, they made use of the oil by storing it and then selling it to foreign traders.
Iron wasn't plentiful either, but with the limited resources that they had they made very good use of it. The craftsmanship and metal-smithing industry grew because of the high and defined quality of the products. These industries were already workable and had some international success, but with intelligence from a future time they were made better causing business to boom.
Sesshomaru's house was happy once more, and a prophesy over two decades in the making almost forgotten. Little did they know that the sea of change was just around the corner? The events that were to change their very lives and history itself was just upon the horizon.
It was the end of another day, the end of another busy and at times stressful work period, however, all in the royal household worked alongside the common man doing whatever they could to prepare for their future; a future that would see each species living as equals if they were successful in their bid to see it happen. All were conscious of the change that the turn of the century would bring upon demon kind.
They could be killed off as a species or live beyond what Kagome's future foretold. It was a frightening proposition, but regardless of that fact or otherwise, they would fight to the very end if that was what they needed to do, giving up was not an option.
Kagome and Sesshomaru lie in bed that night, each mindful of the others feelings and sharing a similar thought. They both wondered why after two years they were still not able to conceive. They had made love at every opportune time; even stealing away during the course of the day to do so like horny teenagers, but in spite of all the efforts they'd put into it, there was still no success.
Making love now felt monotonous without any real passion as they were both going through the motions, trying to become pregnant while the bitterness of failure engulfed their hearts. Sesshomaru's right hand moved towards Kagome's own and held it loosely. She sighed, turned on her side and waited.
The hold on her palm tightened as it moved to her upper hand slowly. Sesshomaru hold was firm as he pulled her on top of him to lie. They didn't speak, only doing what their hearts compelled them to do. A groan emitted from his throat as Kagome nibbled on his ears and lips tenderly.
She wanted this as much as he did, she told herself as another moan came from her mate. But somewhere deep inside, the ugly sensations of disappointment and failure rose up and consumed her mind, making her numb. She stopped moving; Sesshomaru opened his eyes and observed her weary ones.
"I can't…I can't do this tonight," Kagome announced and rolled off him.
He was fully aware of what she was going through, she was tired, and the fact that they did not conceive even once during the last two years had wounded her spirit. And yet they were not trying to replace Yuki, but with all the misfortune that had come their way, creating a new precious little life would make them complete, and thus putting their minds at ease.
"Sleep Kagome," he said at last as he pulled her into his embrace. "We can try again when you are ready."
She only nodded; there were no need for words. Sesshomaru was strong and kept his emotions in check, something she was finding hard to do. But she wasn't as foolish to think that he wasn't bothered by their current situation. He just chose not to react to it.
sksksk
High above the plains of Japan stood the majestic mountains of Mount Fuji. The name itself meant Fire Mountain because of the volcanoes and fire breathing dragons that called it home. The dragon population almost extinct, its king killed in battle by lord Sesshomaru left the clan without leadership and restless.
The last of them to see lord Ryoma alive was his cousin who had lived in his house and had taken care of his mate. She'd made it out of the west in disguise, too afraid to join the battle after Izumi was killed.
She could be cold and heartless if it was required; after all, it was in her nature to be so, only she wasn't foolish. Taking on the west with just six of them remaining was suicide. None among them that were left had the necessary skills to start a war and to see it through to the end. And besides, half of their numbers were children.
She sorted through her mind as she looked over the horizon on the beautiful country, finally coming up with a plan. Taking one last look before turning away, she sighed and entered a small cave.
It was the beginning of summer, life was carefree for the young ones, school was out. The human children enjoyed the idyllic leisure, playing and swimming in the wide rivers. It was the time of year that yields sporadic rainfall and hurricanes. On a day just like any other hot summer's day, the children from a medium sized town in Osaka, only fifteen miles from Osaka castle, the home of the emperor were at play.
The sky darkened suspiciously while the wind picked up, but happy children gave the occurrence little thought, because if it was indeed the onset of rain they didn't care, getting wet in it was quite fun.
The darkness seemed to fall away from the sky swiftly and unto the land; the children stopped playing, one followed by the other until play ceased completely. They watched the movements between the trees and bushes a little afraid. The wait was disconcerting because they knew that something sinister was out there.
Two of the smaller children got up and ran away without looking back, the others continued to wait. The closer the creature approached, vibrations could be felt in the ground, the containers filled with water rippled with the heavy sensations.
Panic rose in the children as they could now hear heavy breathing, and the smell of sulphur permeated the air around them. They all made a mad dash as the creature stepped into the clearing towering over them. The sight terrifying as a monster that they'd only heard about in stories towered over them in menace.
Their screams pierced the forest with its intensity as they ran losing all semblance of clarity, bumping into each other as well as falling to the ground. Eyes painfully wide as the eldest of the lot watched as the beast took in a long breath of air, he shuddered and screamed louder as the breath was exhaled, and blazing fires whirled from the jaws of the devil. A flood of heat poured down his form and engulfed him.
The others fared no better as they ran, they could not escape, and in time they too met with similar fates. The dragon took to the air flying as close as possible to the trees. It had a purpose, burning the small homes and people in its path. There was chaos everywhere as people ran trying to take cover and hide. When the merciless feat was done, the dragon assumed humanoid form.
The lone killer made it to the walls outside of Osaka castle and approached a soldier with a scroll in his hand.
"Good day honored soldier of the empire," he addressed the shocked soldier, who looked upon his beautiful and inhuman appearance. "I have a message from the lord of demons, Sesshomaru sama for your king."
The soldier was bewildered, never had the demons in all of Japan ever sought any type of council with the human empire. He stuttered. "I…I will de..liver the scroll," he finally said, while still staring at the demon.
The dragon chuckled with his hand outstretched for the soldier to take the parchment.
"Thank you sir," he said clearly for the first time and took the paper.
They bowed saying farewell, and after a dozen steps or so the dragon took to the skies, circling the area before flying away.
It would be precisely three days afterwards that emperor Masayoshi would receive the fake edict from Sesshomaru. He was away with his young wife; they had just gotten married and were away on an excursion.
The emperor and his advisors gathered in a large room surrounded by many windows to keep the place cool. He was made aware of the attacks on the citizens by a lone creature, and then his second in charge gave him a scroll to read.
"Absolutely impossible," the emperor insisted quietly. He would never agree to such an order no matter what the consequences were.
You could hear a pin drop as the emperor gazed upon the parchment in his hands, while his advisors wait. And after sometime had passed he made an announcement.
"We go to war against demons in three days."
The news was so shocking that it took a while for the others to process the information and asks questions.
His trusted general and loyal friend stood observing him. The emperor was a man slow to anger and most of all he was one that desired peace, because Japan's history was stained in blood by his ancestors.
"Your majesty, I cannot condone war without knowing why it is necessary."
The king looked away from the paper in his hand for the first time and gazed at his friend. "Here," was the only thing he said as he handed the general the document.
He read it quickly and was astounded by the contexts. When he lifted his head he addressed the other occupants of the room somberly.
"If what I have read is truthful, then the lord of the west has declared war upon the human world if we do not surrender. The document also states that the tally of citizens that were killed recently will rise if we do not adhere to his demands."
All present were quietly stunned, the deaths of the children and so
me adults were still fresh in their minds and it painted a nightmarish image. Because if one demon could accomplish such a feat, then it was mindboggling to think how much more would perish if more of the same demons attacked?
But in the same breath they would not roll over and die, the supplication was dismissed and rejected by all; they would go to war to preserve their lands and lifestyle. In threedays time they would march and meet up at the point referred to in the scroll. They had guns and cannons and they would win.
sksksk
Kagome felt tired that afternoon and went to bed early. The sun was still shining brightly in the sky, and a mild breeze blowing. It was peaceful and soon she fell asleep. In the lands of dreams the Inu no Taisho came to see her.
He was as beautiful and heavenly just as she'd remembered him being the first time that she had seen him. And she was finding it hard to look away; however, the sound of his voice did the trick causing her to lower her eyes and swallowed harshly.
"I am very pleased that you were able to warm my son's heart," he said and smiled.
"Thank you…father," she replied kindly.
"I have observed my sons lives from afar, and yours as well. I have seen them make mistakes and I have seen them suffer."
Kagome couldn't help but to feel saddened by his words and tone, because they had such a subdued quality to them, and also she couldn't help but to wonder why he was in her dreams now.
"The quest Sesshomaru, you and others have embarked on is truly noble, but some will never see it the way you do. The future is unwritten at this point in time, the chance to change it for the better is about to fail."
No. Kagome thought, her eyes widening in shock. She shook her head trying for words but only one came out.
"What!"
"Alas young woman, treachery and vengeance runs deep, to save demon kind you will make a great and terrible sacrifice, and for that I am truly very sorry."
The prophesy foretold flooded her mind and heart once more making her feel light headed, and just when she was forgetting.
"Tell Sesshomaru to seek council with the human emperor, tell him not to dawdle, there is little time."
Kagome gazed upon the god like demon knowing in her heart that he spoke the truth, but how was she going to get her mate to believe her when she told him that her fears manifested themselves in a dream.
He continued to look at Kagome as she gazed at him with one brow cocked and he read her emotions. She opened her mouth to say what she was thinking but he answered before she had a chance.
"Do not fear he will believe you."
Taking a few steps he got closer and held her hand and placed a round object within her palm and closed it.
"Give Sesshomaru the object that I have placed in your hand and all will be well."
He took the same amount of steps back that he'd taken forward, widening the gap between them once more.
"I will," she said in response to his request while tightening her fist around the object.
"I must go now, be of good courage...and Yuki is well."
Kagome smiled at his statement and replied. "Take care of Yuki for us."
He smiled and nodded, then his image began to fade slowly, and in time nothing remained.
Kagome felt like someone was sitting on her chest and she struggled to breathe, she heaved and thrashed trying to dislodge the thing on her chest restricting her airways.
"Sesshomaru!" She screamed many times in anguish but the sounds were never released.
He rushed out of the throne room in earnest to assist his mate, because of the distress coming to him through their bond.
As he burst through the bedroom door an earth shattering scream of his name belted from Kagome's lungs. With no time to lose he was at her side holding her closely, rocking her like a small child. And in time she blinked.
Frightened eyes opened quickly, and a hand clutching an object opened in front of shocked eyes.
"Where did you get my father's ring?" Sesshomaru asked suspiciously.
Kagome only smiled and sat up.