For Love and War

Chapter Five

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters.

Yuri sat on her favorite divan in the center of her garden alone. Resting her back against the sapphire upholstery, she turned her eyes to the side. She loved her garden. It was her private retreat from her world of men, daughters, and duty. Located south of the castle hidden between large cedars and elm, willow and shrubbery, and engulfed in a canopy of trees, it provided the best of privacy.

It wouldn't be long now. Soon her little man whore would arrive with news regarding her pathetic husband. She wouldn't allow him any amount of happiness or respite; not while she could help it. Though it was not love that she felt for the man, she still desired him physically. Those first few nights had forever more been imprinted in her memory and they would have continued of course-- if he'd wished it.

"My Lady, I have come with the requested information," came from behind her.

Yuri rearranged herself on the divan, turning her entire body and hitching one leg up. She presented the image of a woman settling herself for great gossip. "Stop the courtesies, Gatenmaru," Yuri said with a roll of her eyes, harshness underlaying her tone. "No one would dare intrude in my time of rest," she continued in a more seductive tone as she lifted one finger and curled it towards her; bidding Gatenmaru to approach her.

Gatenmaru's entire demeanor changed at the knowledge of their seclusion and he walked towards her. The air of restraint and submission completely vanished from his composure and only the raw, predatory savagery remained. He sat next to her, fitting in the crook of her side. Gatenmaru brought one clawed hand up and, tracing four rivers of warmth down her arm, leaned down and seized her lips with his in a violent game for dominance.

Pulling away and gasping for air, Yuri spoke, "What did you find, Gaten?"

She stared up at him expectantly. She knew her husband was seeing the little tramp from one of the nearby villages; which one was the question. Her dear husband had been stupid enough to call out her name while he was with her. A mistake she would not forgive. Whatever the case may be, she would destroy her and her husband along the way. Naraku had risen too much in power, had become too cocky, and too demanding. Soon, and she was sure of it, he would try and either dispose of her or leave her to her ruin.

She could not allow neither.

She would not be ridden of only so another village whore could usurp her place. At least, not while she was still alive. Besides, Naraku had everything because of her and their marriage. That thought brought a sadistic smile to her lips. Just like she'd given him everything, she could just as easily take it away.

Gatenmaru's velvety voice brought her out of her musings, "You have nothing to worry about, Yuri. The village girl is not your concern any more. Your dear husband took well care of her."

He wasn't sure if he should tell her everything. If he did , she'd be rid of him the sooner. If he didn't, he'd have more time to enjoy her freely given favors. With a sigh, he conceded he did not wish for this woman's favors, but a younger miko's.

"What do you mean Gatenmaru?" Yuri asked, both annoyed at his lingering silence and the sudden gnaw she felt at the pit of her stomach.

"The girl's dead...by your Lord's doing," was Gatenmaru's only response. His lips curled up into a cruel sneer, as his hands skimmed up the length of her side. Over her calf, to her thigh and past her hip, to stay atop her arm; Yuri was too distracted with her own thoughts to see the glean in his eyes. His head bent low to trail kisses up her arm as his hand left her arm and trailed down her side again, landing on her hip. As he kissed his way up towards her shoulder, his hand wandered to her derrière. Softly he knead her there through the soft blue kimono, while his lips suckled the junction between her shoulder and neck.

Yuri all the while thought about the new turn of events. It would appear her Lord was more ambitious than she expected. All the more reason to rid of him the sooner. If he'd resign the true love he'd often wished for as a youth, then he'd have no quarrels removing her. She had to act now—as quickly and as severely as possible. She would not be stripped of everything that was hers. Not by someone who'd risen because of her. Speaking of stripping...she felt the hard, demanding wet pull on her neck and tilted her head up, giving her lover full access to her throat.

"Gatenmaru, I think we should go some place more private." Yuri's voice trembled with the unmistakable desire and lust she felt, making her sound breathless. She released his long black hair from the leather thong he used to put it up and thrust her hands in his long hair. She closed her eyes and allowed the man besides her to push her to her back.

"No. 'No one would dare intrude in your time of rest'," he repeated her previous words, smiling through his kisses. He pictured trailing kisses down another woman's body, blue eyes staring up at him through a haze of passion, while holding her flush against him as he took her moans and sighs into himself. The fantasy immediately had him hard and aching. He opened his eyes and pulled Yuri's obi out of the way, flipping her kimono open for his hungry gaze. No, this was not this woman he wanted but she would do. For now.

OoO

Kagome turned towards her sister as she spoke, "I would hate to waste your time then. Perhaps we could come a later date?" She really wanted to speak with Rin.

The young woman was the only one she knew that understood the art of demon herbal lore, but she also understood how inappropriate it was for two females mikos to be in the presence of an unwed man...alone.

Kikyou did not remove her eyes from the youkai before her. Something about him was too familiar. Though she was sure she'd never met him before, she couldn't help the uneasiness growing with in her. "Yes, mayhap we should leave." Her voice was soft yet the authority laced with each word did not go unnoticed by the youkai.

Sesshomaru watched as both women watched him warily. It was true; his sister was not home and oddly he resented the fact. He did not want them to leave. Not when he was barely trying to figure out the youngest. Her aura was brighter than the eldest's and yet she was submissive to the eldest's wishes.

Analyzing her seemed very intriguing of a sudden and he couldn't help it; though he knew he shouldn't less he wanted the eldest to see through him. Her eyes were too cold, too calculating. It was as if he were looking into a mirror and seeing his own eyes. She couldn't possibly be full human, that miko. Not while she could control her emotions so well and hide everything from everyone. He found the eldest miko too boring, too much like him, and switched his attention to the youngest. Now she—she was by no means boring.

"Stay and allow me the humor of playing proper host," he said strolling into the kitchen and waving them towards the large gathering room. He did not spare them a backward glance, knowing they'd follow. If not to entertain him, then out of curiosity. Such was the way of humans after all.

"Maybe we should leave," Kagome repeated, now sitting on a rather large divan. The divan did show quite a bit of wear on it's emerald upholstery, but a careless array of exotic patterned shawls gave the appearance of warmth all the same. They were not a wealthy family, that Kagome could see. Yet the family was wealthier that them in other aspects. Where their palace only held luxury and style, this house offered warmth and comfort; much like a family.

"Kagome, we traveled this long way from home to meet this friend of yours. I will not leave without meeting her," Kikyou said idly, her gaze captured by the scenery outside. The door to their backyard was slightly opened, allowing the fresh air to drift inside. An abundance of massive trees circled the outside revealing a small tranquil clearing. A broad pond laid beneath the canopy of trees, casting warm shadows onto the beautiful butterfly koi within the clear water.

"Alright, but I do hope she arrives soon." Rin's brother so unnerves me and causes strange emotions to surface within me, she wished she could say out loud. Kagome couldn't help but wonder why he was full demon while Rin was hanyou. Perhaps they did not share the same parents? Perhaps only one parent? Where were her parents? Rin had never spoken of her family those few times they'd met; only about her two brothers. She never called them half-brothers, simply her brothers. She tried to picture her parents, yet strangely she couldn't. She usually had the uncanny ability to see such things, decipher another being by simply dissecting the features of their offspring.

She thought about her parents, how both Kikyou and herself resembled their parents. Whereas Kikyou resembled their mother, she resembled her father. Except for her eyes. Those eyes she'd inherited from her grandfather, the previous Lord of the South.

Sesshomaru walked into the room carrying a platter with three cups and a kettle on his other hand and placed them in the center table. Handing one to each of the mikos, he resumed his previous position by the opened door. He turned his eyes outside, not caring if he was being rude or an inappropriate host. He never did care much for proprietary, simply followed the rules for civility's sake. Sighing, he chastised himself inwardly. He knew why he couldn't turn and face them, knew it like he knew himself.

Because if he did turn to them and had amiable conversation, his attention would stray to her. Damn his male hormones. He'd thought himself rid of them when he grew into maturity. Yet it seemed they wished to return with a vengeance after neglecting them during his youth. Sighing heavily this time, he turned towards both women and spoke with the calmness he'd learned to master over the years of caring for two hyper children.

"How did you meet my sister Rin?" he asked. The question had been echoing patiently in his mind since he'd invited them in. He was interested. Perhaps the girl would give him an insight of where his sister had been wandering off to.

Kagome blew at the steaming tea, before taking a small sip. The fragrance of the warm jasmine tea filled her insides as she answered. "We met for the very first time while she gathered herbs. I often wondered why she was so far from her home, but I found out later that was the only place one found digitalis."

"Digitalis?" Kikyou asked, one brow raised. "Why would you need that?"

Sesshomaru's brow raised as well. Why indeed? The digitalis herb was poisonous in heavy dosages. Only a well trained miko would know how to use it. If taken in proper dosages it could cure any heart illness. Some have even said that dark sorcerers use it to bring back the dead. But, if used in large doses, it could cause the heart to stop beating immediately.

Kagome's eyes lingered on the pensive form of the youkai across from her. "Because it's always good to keep extra reserves of herbs. You never know when you'll need them," she said a bit haughtily. Her tone earned her the attention of the youkai, as he rose one brow at her.

Sesshomaru's eyes immediately snapped towards the young miko. Her tone had been nothing but defiant and haughty, two qualities he secretly admired in a woman. A woman with no backbone was as good as the next. He turned to look out into the darkening scenery outside, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

OoO

Dark shadows danced across the water rushing violently down stream; the waterfall at the end plummeting harshly to the water below. The wind rushed frantically through the trees, forcing their grand composure to bend to their will. The wind blew howling and snarling, past the low marquee of branches and thick leaves, beating against the back of a hunched over figure. Its back bent grotesquely inwards upon itself, as if protecting something. Rocking back and forth, its eyes were wild with madness. In his lap, cradled like a child, a young body laid motionless.

I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. The mantra repeated itself within the crazed mind of the once proud Lord. His lifeless black hair flapped wildly around him, his eyes shut tight against the approaching storm.

Naraku opened his eyes, now swollen from his tears. He looked down at the woman who carried his unborn child and felt a raw acid pain ripping his heart in shreds. Regret, pity, and hatred of himself battled for supremacy within his shallow soul.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered, his parched throat protesting. Anger boiled within the surface as he thought about what had happened. His logic told him she should of accepted his preposition, accepted his demand. Instead she defied him. It was her fault she was dead. She had taken herself away from him!

"You should of stayed with me, love," he whispered at the pale corpse sprawled on his lap. "Look what you had me do!" His voice rose above that of the wind now, howling his own pain at the heavens above. His face contorted into pain, anguish defining every line on it. He'd loved her, and because he loved her, he couldn't allow her to ruin him. If she did, he would hate her and he couldn't bear it if he hated her.

His emotions felt so berated, like the wind that slapped his wild face. He picked his little Rin up gently, as if she was the most precious porcelain doll, and carried her into the thick forest.

Through harsh winds and their mournful shrieks, he pressed on. His dark eyes not once leaving the face of his once beloved; her lips now a dark blue hue and her lids pale and clammy with death. He could not bear to think her gone forever. Thus he repeatedly told himself she simply slept.

Naraku would not degrade her body and leave it for either the river to carry nor hungry wolves. No. He'd take her with him. After all, his little Rin only slept.

She would wake up soon. Very soon. She'd once promised that wherever he went, she would follow. He was simply helping her; guiding her.

His little Rin would stay forever with him. They would be a family, just like they'd always wanted. She was carrying their child and soon he would join them. Soon. Once he was born. Yes. It all made sense.

Laughing at the wonderful fantasy playing in his mind, Naraku continued walking through the thick forest. His mind continue to work, weaving his fantasy. He would not go to his castle, not where Yuri would see his love. He would take her to their home. The one he'd been building for her when he'd thought of asking her to be his mistress. There she would live happy and their child could grow into a strong man. Yes, it all made perfect sense.

OoO

"I really think we should head home now, Kikyou," Kagome said warily, watching the darkening clouds above. She'd opted to sit outside on the wooden ledge, her feet dangling. The day had started so beautifully, yet so suddenly that beauty was eclipsed by such darkness, Kagome mused to herself.

"I think it'd be wise of us to do so," Kikyou said rising, cup in hand. She placed her empty cup on the center table and turned to the youkai. "We can not wait any longer, I'm afraid. We have to go, less our father worries." Her tone left no room for argument.

Sesshomaru stood, still looking up at the darkening sky. His eyes narrowed at the sudden change and the image of his sister flowed through his mind, again. Over the hours, he'd spoken with the sisters yet his mind had kept wandering towards Rin. She had not arrived yet, which was uncharacteristic of her. She always worried about arriving home so as to not worry them. Her absence was disturbing, more so now with the change in weather. He turned his attention to the little miko sitting on the ledge at his feet, and his eyes hardened. They had told him their names, but not their last names. They were not from his village, of that he was sure. So, who were they?

A sudden pang of apprehension stabbed his gut, warning bells ringing clearly in his head. "If you do not mind me asking, where exactly are you from?" he asked, his voice controlled.

The youngest miko rose those cerulean orbs towards him and trapped him. Such a rich deep hue should not be possible, yet there they were, staring up at him. Such innocence and pureness could not be possible either, yet she held both within those clear depths. Such a vast contradiction those eyes were to her mouth. Those full lush lips that were sinfully begging to be kissed. Her entire being was a paradox.

Then, those lips spoke, and he could imagine them doing something else to him other than talking.

"I'm sorry. I guess we forgot to introduce ourselves properly in our haste to find out if we truly were in the right place. I am Kagome Higurashi and this is my sister, Kikyou Higurashi," she said.

Sesshomaru's entire demeanor stiffened, his eyes widening at the revelation. His eyes shot to the sky once more, yet not seeing anything. His thoughts had turned inward, turning her words over and over in his head. Higurashi. They are the himes of the Southern Lands! That meant...

"What is your father's name, miko?" he asked, unable to contain the icy tone of his deep voice. If they were...If their father was...If...Sesshomaru could not begin to contemplate what would happen if the man who had so intrigued their sister was in fact theses mikos' father. Not only would that mean that Rin had been lied to, betrayed, and...ruined, but the man had planned on living a double life. After all, they were suppose to meet the man this evening. Which, he hadn't showed up. The thought caused a tightness in his chest. The man hadn't showed up...and neither had their sister...

"Our father's name is Lord Naraku. Why?" Kagome's sweet voice rang through the room as thunder stroked down from the heavens.

A/N: Another chapter...finally! lol. Thank LC Rose for doing a wonderful beta job! Thanks!

I know, Naraku's kinda loosing it...o.O