Chapter 4 Alliances
Sesshomaru commanded a servant to show the four boys to their rooms while the lords went over plans again. Their rooms were sparse of furniture, and they gathered on the futon while Hiei stared out the window.
"So Sesshomaru doesn't know about the device. Well that's just great, so now how do we get home?" Yusuke leaned against the wall with his arms folded against his chest.
"What about that girl? She was amazing and pretty." Kuwabara said dreamily as a slight bit of drool trailed down the side of his mouth.
"Thought you liked Yukina," Yusuke chided watching Hiei glare at Kuwabara, "You're not two timing her now are you?"
"No way Urameshi, Yukina is the only girl for me." The large man protested regaining what was left of his senses.
"I thought she was gonna die. She didn't even flinch when Sesshomaru prepared to attack her." Yusuke said bringing the subject back onto the girl.
"Yeah Urameshi, did you feel her power?"
"I'm just glad she's on our side for now." Kurama added. "She's a miko, and by the feel of her power, a very powerful one."
"What's a miko?"
.:I wonder if she knows anything about the Shikon no Tama:. Youko pondered while flashing images of her in Kurama's mind.
'What are you doing?' Kurama asked Youko as he analyzed and appreciated the mental images.
.:Know your enemy:. was all he said causing Kurama to groan.
Hiei rolled his eyes, "You idiot, a miko is a demon's worst enemy. They are the elite of the demon slayers. But all the mikos left in our time are powerless, and they probably died out a long time ago when the barrier was created."
The door made a slight creaking sound, and their eyes flew to the door as it opened. A young child no older than eight came running in. "Hello, Rin's name is Rin. Rin is hiding from Lord Jaken because Rin wants to see Pretty Lady Kagome, but Lord Jaken says that Rin has to go or I'll get eaten by wolves again." Rin said as she hid in the small space between Yusuke's back and the wall. "Sssh, if Master Jaken comes in don't tell him that Rin is here, please?"
Kurama finding the child adorable, he nodded and Rin's grin grew larger. A few moments later the green imp opened the door and peered about the room only seeing the four of them then left muttering about the stench of humans desecrating his master's domain.
"It's okay to come out now Rin," Kurama told the child, "He's gone."
"Thank you. What's your name?"
"My name is Kurama, and the boy you hid against is Yusuke, and this is Kuwabara and over there is Hiei," He said pointing to all of them.
"Do you know when Lady Kagome is coming back? Rin picked some flowers for her and Rin wanted to give them to her before Rin left." Rin stated as she took out some wilting flowers from the sleeve in her kimono.
"She said a few hours." Yusuke said bored with the conversation.
"How long is a few hours?" Rin asked disappointed.
"That's a good question Rin." Kurama pondered for a second. "She said a few terms that shouldn't have been used in this time. Could this mean that she could be our key to getting home?"
.:Now you really have to try to get on her good side, because heaven forbid she gets pissed off at one of them:. Youko nodded his head toward Yusuke and Kuwabara.
Everyone's attention was peaked at the thought of being able to get home. "Lady Kagome is always saying funny things. So how long is an hour?"
"Soon Rin, it means soon." Kurama told her. "Rin, can I ask you a question?" Rin nodded her head. "Why did Kagome want to keep you safe from the wolves?"
Rin paled a little before setting the smile back on her face. "Rin was killed by wolves, but Lord Sesshomaru made Rin live again. Pretty lady told Rin that they don't kill people anymore so Rin's not scared that the wolves are coming here. Okay, Rin's gonna pick more flowers for Pretty Lady." Rin scampered out of the room.
"Cute kid. I wonder what that was all about." Kurama thought aloud.
.:She has to be a nutcase to live with Sesshomaru.:.
'I believe that is Lord Sesshomaru,' Kurama felt Youko roll his eyes, 'And that is why I don't let you out.'
"Hm." Hiei looked outside, trying not to crack a smirk while overhearing the conversation between the fox and host. 'As long as I get to slaughter demons, I'll be happy to remain here for the time being.' He told the fox making it very obvious that he was listening to their private conversation.
In the mountains
Kagome, sitting atop of Kirara, made her way quickly to Kouga's den. With the wind on their back they made excellent timing. A group of wolves were in a battle, but Kagome couldn't see who it was. The dust clouds were so thick she was glad for the heavy garment to filter the dust from going into her lungs.
She took out her bow and arrow ready to help out her friends in a moment's notice. The dust settled for a moment. There, standing opposing each other, were Kouga and Kagura. Both were slightly injured. "Stop it!" Kagome screamed, but it was futile, they were too stubborn to listen. Having no other choice Kagome shot a purifying arrow that landed in between the two of them.
That got their attention. Both ceased their battle and stared at Kagome. "Kagome, why did you do that? I almost had revenge for my brothers!" Kouga snarled at her.
"Like you could kill me. I'm barely winded, you fool." Kagura boasted and raised her fan for another attack.
"Kagura, you have your freedom, so why are you attacking Kouga?" Kagome saw the confusion of his face. "You haven't told him have you?" The wind demon shook her head smirking. She turned her attention back to Kouga, "Kouga, Naraku is dead."
Kouga who was glaring at Kagura turned to look at Kagome. "Naraku's dead?" The two females nodded their head, "How?"
"Kagome killed him." Kagura spoke, "She shot him with an arrow, setting us all free. As for your revenge, it is now satisfied and rectified."
"She's right Kouga. She was under Naraku's control like all the others. With Naraku dead she is now free, and she wouldn't harm any of us without provocation isn't that right?" Kagome waited for Kagura to agree. Kagura crossed her arms and stuck up her nose. That was about as close to an agreement as she'd get.
The wolves watching approached the three. "Kagura, I'm glad you're here too. It seems as if the northern lord is advancing, and the eastern and western lords are teamed up."
"Why are you involved then?" Kagura enquired putting away her fans. She wouldn't give up a chance to be a little closer to the demon lord, but she wasn't about to say that.
"I had to give Inuyasha's ashes to Sesshomaru for burial." Kagome watched their faces turn from confusion to shock to horror.
"But Inuyasha was alive when I last saw him! Naraku didn't kill him, so what happened?" Kagura looked genuinely interested as did Kouga.
"Inuyasha went to Hell with Kikyo, and I was simply delivering the remains." Her tone seemed dead. Telling others the story was hard, but she knew it was a grieving process. It was the last step: acceptance. "Now it seems I'm going to fight in a war to prevent others from dying. That's why I've come to see you Kouga. I need you approval to march their armies through your land."
Kouga nodded readily in agreement, "I'd do anything for you. After all you are my woman." Both Kagura and Kagome rolled their eyes.
"Thanks so much Kouga. We have to leave now so we can make it back before dark. Oh Kagura," Kagome said turning her attention to the wind demon, "We will need all the help we can get. It would be an honor if you teamed up with us."
Kagura seemed to ponder for a moment before agreeing. Kouga said that he would meet them there; he had a few arrangements to take care of first. Kouga took off leaving Kagura and Kagome alone.
"Why do you want me to fight?" Kagura enquired, cutting to the chase.
"Simple, the demon lords are completely useless when it comes to battle plans, and I need every ally I can get. Life is not as easy since Inuyasha left, and men are incompetent."
Kagura laughed at the miko's joke. It was the first time she really laughed with no ulterior motive behind it. "I know how you feel. I wake up every morning knowing I'm free to do whatever I want, but because I'm a product of Naraku everyone still wants me dead."
Kagome placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It will get easier, but it will take time. Lucky for you, you have plenty of that."
The pair made their way to the western lord's castle. Everyone was waiting outside for her to return. Rin came running towards Kagome, but stopped and hid behind Jaken at the sight of Kagura.
The toad demon started squawking and uttering threats while Kagura rolled her eyes.
"Kagura, I need you to do me a favor. I need you to go and get the rest of my friends and bring them here." Kagome shot Kagura a look that said, 'I'm only asking so I can smooth things over.' Kagura nodded. "Kirara will show you the way." The two demons took off without a goodbye.
"What was that filth doing here?" Sesshomaru snarled. "I thought you said that you killed the half breed? It would seem you missed a few."
Before he could put down Kagura even more, Kagome had her bow and arrow pointed at him. "Keep talking Sesshomaru, Inuyasha removed one arm, how about I take the other?" Her eyes lit up in defiance for her new ally and friend. No matter how tired and sore she was, no one ever insulted a friend and lived.
Before a war could break out at the front gates, Rin ran and latched herself around Kagome middle. "Lady Kagome, why did you bring the bad lady here? She tried to kill Rin and Lord Jaken."
Kagome looked down and smiled at the child as she put her weapon away. "Rin, you remember the story I told you about the wolves?" She waited for the child to nod in remembrance. "Now the same thing applies to Kagura. She won't harm you now. I thought I made it clear that you should be away from here?"
"But Rin wanted to give Lady Kagome these," Rin plucked the withered flowers from her kimono.
"They are beautiful Rin, thank you. Since you are still here, you might as well stay. Kagura has gone to get the others so you'll have people to play with while Jaken is tending to Sesshomaru."
Rin squealed in delight and ran off. Lord Kuma took this time to mock Kagome and her "ability" to gather allies. Kagome raised her eyebrow. "As a matter of fact, he's coming now." She felt the jewel shards and looked in the direction Kouga was coming.
"You must have gathered someone very weak becau-" He was cut off when he felt a powerful demon in a massive tornado approach. Kouga stopped right in front of them. "Sorry I'm late. Ginta's warning all the wolves not to attack when you come through." He said grabbing a hold of Kagome's hand and smiled into her eyes.
"Y-Yo-You're Prince Kouga, the leader of the wolf demon tribe!" Lord Kuma exclaimed, taken aback by who was in front of him.
"That's me!" Kouga boasted dropping Kagome's hand and turned his attention to the other lord. "Besides I couldn't let my woman fight all by herself, especially since mutt face isn't here anymore to look after her."
Kagome rolled her eyes and started to walk inside. She got a few feet away when she realized that no one was trailing her, so she looked back.
There stood Sesshomaru and Kouga locked into a fight. Of course they would be, Kouga insulted Sesshomaru's heritage; and that was something no one took lying down; especially a fierce demon lord. Knowing that screaming at them would only cause her to lose her voice; she sighed and unstrapped her bow.
She locked the arrow onto the string and pulled back and pooled her power to the tip of her arrow. She didn't know how she was gathering all her purifying power to a single point, but she continued to do it. Everyone turned to stare at Kagome as they felt her deadly power grow.
"Miko what do you think you are doing?" Sesshomaru enquired raising a single eyebrow, not revealing the nervousness he felt inside. The powerful miko was a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.
"I will kill you all if you do not cease this fighting at once." They listened to what she was saying, but their eyes were locked to the ball of pink energy that kept getting bigger. "Now, do I kill you or do I leave and let you fight your own battle?" She said making reference to the war that was about to be unleashed upon the northern lord.
"If my woman leaves, then I'm gone too, and if you even think to enter my lands I will slaughter each and every one of you." Kouga forgot about the fight with Sesshomaru and went to stand beside Kagome.
This was one of the only times she was happy Kouga was so stupid. Kagome put down her arrow and all her power seeped back inside of her. Sesshomaru didn't say a word but walked inside. He stopped a few feet behind her, and spoke in a bone chilling tone, "If you dare to point an arrow at this Sesshomaru again, I will be forced to take action."
"And I say," Kagome started, mocking the same tone Sesshomaru used on her, and turned around to face the cold demon lord, "If you attack me or any of my friends while I'm here, one of us will not live to see the sun rise."
"Miko you will show me respect while you are here." His eyes slanted low.
"No, you will earn it like the rest of the common folk." Kagome stuck her chin up defiantly. Sesshomaru started to snarl, causing Kagome to laugh, "What are you going to do? Last time your poison had no effect in killing me, so what makes you think it will work again?" Part of her wanted Sesshomaru to kill her. If she was dead, then she wouldn't have to live with the hurt and devastation Inuyasha's death left her with.
To the demon lord's surprise, Kagome turned her back to him, telling him that she was through with him and started to scold Kouga for the 'my woman' speech. Everyone not accustomed to Kagome's behavior was a little wary of her and tried to stay as far away as possible.
Sesshomaru was pissed that a human, a female no less, had just given him orders, and cast him aside like he was his half brother. In a brute mood, he went back inside.
"Did you see her power?" Yusuke was barely able to spit out.
.:Now I know why powerful mikos were killed.:. Youko stated from the safe confines of Kurama's mind.
"Fool, we would all be dead if she wanted it."
"Now Hiei," Kurama chided, "She wasn't about to kill her mate. She was simply putting him in his place."
Finding that to be an acceptable answer, they went back to their rooms to wait.
End chapter 4
AN: Okay I watched the ending of Inuyasha and I'm pissed (like a week and a half ago -- that's how long it took E to edit) No I won't tell you because there are some that don't like spoilers. Thank you for your kind, but short reviews. I should warn you all, because of the ending, I'm taking my wrath out on all the characters! No one is safe! I should say this before it becomes an issue. As for pairings to my story (this and all of them) I have an idea of who I want (insert name) and (insert name) to be with. HOWEVER, and this is a biggie, I tend to either kill romance, or kill off the character. If you ask for a pairing, I'm more than likely to kill them, why? I don't like fluffy romances or WAFF, because dear loyal readers, romance is dead. However I will try to make this a "happy" ending. I said TRY so no promises. -evil smirk-
I have to say this while I'm in a fickle mood. There are 47 people on my author alert list, (sorry now 49 after editing and (50 once I got this back from the slow beta reader)) and yet only a select few review...why is that? Come on now don't be shy...I don't bite...much/hard. So please drop me a review even if it's only once to say that yes I'm am reading it. I need all the encouragement I can get to continue writing looks at beta reader Do you think that would work for getting more reviews? Oh I should add before I give my beta the last word, I watched Kill Bill vol 1 & 2, and that's inspired evil (sinister evil) like subplots. you'll have to wait and see how I use that to my advantage!
Beta: I think you have psychological issues. And besides, I gave you a link to some scanlations, so it's not the end END. I've just noticed they like cutting the animes off before people die –hackPeacemakerKuroganecough- Sorry, some nasty allergies there! Again, I'm holding up the line with this production. Okay, I'm stopping now. Night y'all. Oh, and review, I don't want to hear her go on about it later.