For Love and War

Chapter Three

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters.

Inuyasha stared with incredulous eyes at his sister, "Lord Naraku?" He spat the name out as if it was a vile abomination. His honeyed eyes darkened, smoldering with an inner fire. He'd heard of him. Lord Naraku was one of the most ruthless lords ruling the lands. One look from him would promise a fate worse than death. Born a peasant, he had married high and thus received his tittle. Deep down he was no better than the demons he killed for supposed treason.

Every action that man took was for the sole purpose of gaining power. His marriage was proof enough. Not long ago a rumor had spread like a plague about a dark hanyou possessing powers beyond comprehension. Rumors went as far as saying he'd sold himself, his very soul even, to demons in order to gain power. Such a vile man could not possibly of fallen in love with such a simple village girl. There had to be something more. But what?

Narrowing his eyes at the wooden planks, Inuyasha entwined his fingers. He raised his eyes up to his sister. "If that bastard steps into this house, Rin, I swear I'll kill him."

Rin stared at her brother with wide eyes, not comprehending why Inuyasha would react the way he did. Naraku was not an evil man. He was honorable, honest, and polite. But most importantly, he cared about her. He promised to marry her and he would be talking with her brothers to confirm it.

Sesshomaru's breath was let out in a low hiss. His temples began to pulse irritably, as his jaw unclenched. "Rin, you don't know much about this man and what we know you will not like."

It was amazing how little her brother spoke and yet how much meaning he put in his words. But why would they doubt a man they've never met? Nonetheless, she did wonder. Wonder about how much she really knew about her beloved. He was Lord of the South, that she knew. She knew he was human and unmarried. Of course, he'd never confirmed his marital status, but he'd never said he was married either. Shaking her head, she chastised herself for even doubting him.

Sighing, Rin couldn't help but defend her beloved, even from her brothers. "Inuyasha, be reasonable. Don't assume anything simply because of a title."

"Unreasonable! You think we're being unreasonable? Rin, you know I really don't care much about what goes on with the damn Lords of these lands, but I do know is that they're generally married! And with kids of their own."

Rin gasped at what her brother was saying to her, but her mind immediately refused it. Naraku would not have lied to her. He simply wouldn't. All those times they'd been together, surely he'd of mentioned it at some point; especially before—or after-- they'd lain together. He was an honorable man. He would not, could not, take her innocence if he had a family. Right?

Sesshomaru's brow raised at his sister's solemn expression. Whatever this man had promised her, he did not intend on fulfilling. If their sister so much as shed a tear, this man, Lord or not, would pay with his miserable life, but for now, he would simply observe from a distance. He knew more than even Inuyasha did about this man, but that would not help at the moment.

Their sister was too in love with this Lord. Though the simple thought of Rin feeling such useless emotions angered him, he would not interfere. Not yet.

"Then we will hear what this Lord Naraku has to say, Rin," Sesshomaru said decisively, stepping out into the light breeze, leaving behind him an enraged Inuyasha and a worried Rin.

Rin had the feeling that both her brothers were keeping something from her but decided not to push it. Whatever it was, they'd tell her sooner or later. And besides, it was only fair they keep something from her, considering what she was keeping from them.

OoO

"Good afternoon Kaede-chan," the young vibrant girl greeted the older woman sitting outside her hut.

Said woman looked up and smiled gently at the two approaching girls. "Ah, Kagome child, how are you? And Kikyou, how are you?" Kaede leaned back on her chair, her hands on each side of the arms.

"We're great, but we're here searching for a young woman named Rin," Kagome continued. Kikyou stiffened next to her, "You mean to tell me you came here, to an unknown village, without knowing exactly where you would find the person you sought?"

Kagome scratched her head sheepishly and shrugged. Turning back to Kaede, Kagome said, "Well, Kaede is here and she knows everyone anywhere. So, if anyone would know, it's her."

Kaede stared at both girls, wondering how they could be sisters. She'd known them since they were young babes. She'd been their mother's midwife; held them when they first stepped into this world. She'd been there when Kikyou was first born, had slapped her little behind to rip a wail from her tiny body. She's helped the complicated birth of Kagome two years later, who'd been two months premature. A tiny dear she'd been; a true miracle she lived today.

"Now, now, you two. Yes, Kagome child, I have heard of this young maiden," Kaede interfered before both girls started arguing. If there was one thing she knew about them it was that there was no stopping them when they argued. Kagome was too stubborn to drop it and Kikyou was too prideful to admit she was wrong.

Kikyou looked away, not wanting to argue with her sister. She knew enough to know her baby sister would be too hard headed to admit that what she did was dangerous. As one of the young Ladies of the South, many wouldn't mind taking her for ransom.

"Really? Do you think you could show us the way to her home?" Kagome asked enthusiastically. She couldn't wait to speak to this young woman again. She'd known so much about herbs and shrubs.

Kaede leaned further into her wooden chair, deep in thought. "Kagome, dear, why is it that you seek this young maiden?" Kaede asked.

Kagome stared at Kaede for a moment before sneaking a glance at her sister. Kikyou stood behind her, waiting. "Well, she has herbs that I'd like, since we are running low at the castle. I spoke to her one day, not long ago, and I noticed she carried these herbs," Kagome explained.

Kikyou huffed behind her, shaking her head. Kaede turned to her and asked, "You ran out of herbs?" The way she asked it might as well of been a scolding.

Kikyo turned her too old eyes to look at the eldest miko, "No, Kaede, she did. My supplies are full."

Kagome turned to glare at her sister, then muttered under her breath, "You would." Turning her gaze back to Kaede, she gave her her brightest smile, "I've been so busy with practice I simply forgot to check on my supplies." An embarrassed blush tainted her pale cheek as she thought about how that sounded coming from a miko.

Kaede and Kikyou both shook their heads in unison, wondering how on earth Kagome had been born predestined to be the Shikon's miko.

Kikyo stepped in to spare her sister any more embarrassment, "Please Kaede-chan, we would appreciate it if you could show us the way to this woman's house. I don't think it wise to stay too long here. After all, we still have the journey back home." As much as Kikyou appreciated the old miko, they could not afford time at the moment. Sometimes she thanked the Kamis she had been born first. Otherwise who would have been the responsible one?

"Listen, child, you must go straight through the village. When you approach Totosai's shop, turn left. You will come upon a large dojo. There is where the maiden's brothers train. If you stand in front of it, simply turn around and cross the shrine there and next to it is the large hut this maiden resides in," Kaede informed both the mikos. She noted Kikyou was paying careful attention and that consoled her. Though Kagome was bright indeed, she often was distracted easily.

Kikyou narrowed her chocolate eyes at the instructions, but said nothing. She knew of this shrine yet she'd never seen homes around it. The few she had seen, she knew those that resided within them.

Kagome smiled at Kaede warmly and rushed to embrace the old miko. "Thank you Kaede-chan!"

Kaede returned the hug, but as Kagome was pulling away, Kaede tightened her grip. "Listen child, this young maiden has two brothers. Both her seniors. Both possessing demon blood within them. Heed my warning. Do not get near them and do not trust them. Though they've been here since they were young boys, they can sometimes be dangerous," Kaede warned into Kagome's ear softly.

Kagome stood straight and bore her cerulean orbs into Kaede's shriveled ones. She knew Rin had been hanyou, but she also sensed she was not evil There hadn't been one single evil bone on that young woman. In fact, all she'd sensed was a glowing purity that was rarely seen. "Don't worry Kaede-chan, I'm not a young child any more. I'm almost nineteen, remember?" with that the young miko strode towards her sister's side and waved goodbye as she left with a smile.

Yes, neither Kagome nor Kikyou were children any more. They were young women; maturing into the promised beauty that they showed even as babes. "That's what I'm afraid of," the old miko, Kaede, whispered to herself.

OoO

Sesshomaru walked peacefully through the forest after walking out from his home. Often he found himself walking aimlessly, clearing his mind. Though he didn't know why, he knew that this man was not honest with her sister. The fact that he was a lord was also against him. As beautiful as their young sister was, no lord would sacrifice wealth and comfort for a simple village girl of such low birth. Especially one that had given up all in order to gain a tittle.

Birds from above flew away in a frantic wild flapping of wings. Something was amidst. He noticed a pair of strong auras heading towards his village and immediately sped through trees and vegetation. He broke through the tree line and was greeted by the same scene he'd left behind; villagers rushing through their chores, children playing, peasants busily surrounding the market. He scanned the villagers through analytical eyes,and found nothing was out of place. He was about to turn back into the forest when he noticed two females walking through the busy streets and stopping before his dojo.

They seemed as if they we're seeking something. One of them, the shortest of the two, pointed triumphantly at the dojo. Though he couldn't see her face, he could imagine the grin that would be adorning her features. He mentally rolled his eyes at the woman's antics. Obviously, though her body was in full bloom with all curves and dips, her mind was still in the past.

The other miko stared at her, reflecting his inner thoughts in her bottomless eyes. She, he could see perfectly. Her bland expression reminded him of those in their death bed. Complete opposites, though the resemblance was unmistakable. Siblings perhaps?

Why would they be searching for his dojo? His thoughts were interrupted as he saw both figures turning around and the shortest pointed towards his home. As soon as the youngest female turned, and her soft features were exposed to Sesshomaru, his body went rigid.

Sesshomaru stood rooted to the earth. Something within him contracted, making him lose his breath. A sudden uncontrollable warmth rushed through him; engulfing him from head to toe. Never had he felt such feelings. Never had he lost control to feel them in the first place.

He stood there, hypnotized, barely remembering to inhale and exhale. His eyes latched on to her soft full lips as they curved into a tempting smile. Lips he was sure would cushion a lover perfectly. Her pale ivory skin begged to be touched and his fingers ached to touch it. What captured his utmost attention were her deep cerulean orbs framed with thick dark eyelashes.

Deep within him, something stirred. Though his mind refused to acknowledged the reaction this female produced deep within him, his body thought otherwise. For once, the unspeakable happened. For once, a female had done the impossible. Made his hakamas tighten at the seam.

OoO

"Tell me darling, what has my dear husband been doing?" the soft velvety voice cooed to the young man sprawled upon the bed. His head rested behind his hands and he stared up at the ceiling. His long, well toned legs were spread; one leg covered by a white sheet and his erection standing proudly like a pole.

Sighing, said man answered. "As I have said before, Yuri, your Lord keeps traveling to the forest West from here. Every time I follow him I always lose him at exactly the same point." He lifted one lid and looked at her through one small beady black eye. "Besides, I thought you didn't care for your little Lord any more."

Yuri stared at him through greedy, lustful eyes. "I don't. But I refuse to give up what is mine and mine alone. Especially to some village whore."

The man stared at her with now opened eyes. "And after this, that little daughter of yours is mine, right?" he asked, his voice dripping with lust. His erection suddenly jumped a fraction at the mere thought of the young one withering beneath him.

The woman resting beside him draped one svelte arm across her lover's chest, letting her short inky hair caress his arm. Yuri pressed soft, whispered kisses over his chest. "You know, Gatenmaru, I think I'm paying you quite handsomely for your services already," she murmured in between kisses.

In one quick slide, she mounted the man, pinning him underneath her lithe form. Pressing her lips violently to his, she raked his sides with her long nails, creating shallow cuts. Gatenmaru howled in pain and yanked her off him by her short hair. In one smooth motion, he flipped her on to her back and held her by the hair. "Listen, bitch. I think I'm rewarding you quite handsomely. All I want is her. Not you," he emphasized his words as he thrust deeply and painfully into her.

A/N: Thanks for reading! And thanks once again to my wonderful beta LC Rose! .