Thought maybe I should mention this: I do not own Inuyasha. Reviews welcome - ImpresstheEmpress
"Posture, my girl."
Kagome's head snapped upright to meet her advisor's gaze, an agile older priestess with an eye patch covering her right eye. The older women sat next to Kagome in a sturdy, red wood table with her hands resting on the matching round, red wood table.
"How do you expect the people to listen," Kaede went on, "if ye have no confidence in ye self or ye words."
"I know, Kaede." Kagome said though her head lowered slowly until it rested on her open palm and as her back hunched until her elbow rested on the table.
Kagome's gaze fell from Kaede's frowning face.
"Your rebels' representatives will enter the room soon, Kagome. This gathering will not bode well should they feel their leader is neither concerned nor interested in their words."
"I hear you, Kaede."
Kaede hummed in acknowledgement and turned her gaze toward the grand, wooden closed doors separating both her and Kagome from the outside world. Kaede would wait for Kagome to speak her mind or to spill her beans as Kagome, herself, often put it. Kaede was a patient woman.
After a brief moment, Kagome began, "I feel as if the world is on my shoulders."
Kaede hummed again. "As do we all, child. We all take great risks with this rebellion but go on," Kaede said.
Kagome threw her body back till it hit the back of her seat, her arms flailed to their respective sides in the process as she huffed in annoyance. In some ways, she was still a child despite her 21 years. It was a minute before Kagome spoke again.
"We've won the eastern side of the Southern Coast," she said.
"Yes, the calm section of the coast, perfect for trade and shipment of goods. It would near impossible for the Southern Ruler to trade jewels, food, or any cargo by land or sea now. We have humans and youkai roaming the land and our army guarding the sea!" Kaede replied.
Kagome closed her eyes. "Yes," she said, "we have formidable forces on land and sea but our numbers cannot compare to those of the Southern Army." Kagome looked to Kaede almost as if she was defeated.
"We have farmers, villagers fighting battles and spying but many have been killed for it. They are neither trained soldiers nor are they skilled assassins like those in the Southern Ruler's army."
"And ye are but a travelling miko taking up her father's work. It is often the least likely that are destined to win the match. Nevertheless, the South's lord is quite skilled with illusions. Perhaps his soldiers are influenced by the fox youkai's spells; their loyalty nothing but a mirage. We are truly dedicated to this cause, Kagome. Do not doubt our abilities." Kaede answered.
Multiple sets of feet walking faintly padded not far behind the closed doors. Kagome sat upright in her chair. She and Kaede then removed their hands from the table and laid them on their laps, smoothing the fabric of their finest clothes along the way.
Quietly Kagome spoke again, "The Southern Ruler is greedy."
Kaede's jaw clenched and her brow's furrowed as she nodded and whispered, "Yes, yes he is."
Both Kagome and Kaede looked away from each other and looked toward the door once more. The footsteps were quickly approaching.
"Then tell me why would he allow us to even step foot on the calm coast? It is rich with mines, rich with trade! It is valuable, profitable land! Why has the fox not yet thrown his largest units this way? We've been here nearly a month! He simply lets us take the South's most precious treasure." Kagome harshly whispered back.
She waited a moment but Kaede did not speak but the footsteps stopped and a knock sounded.
"He is not simply underestimating or overlooking us anymore, Kaede." Kagome hastily and quietly said. "We have taken too much from him to still be considered child's play. There is a plan we need to foil quickly before we are all dependent on his non-existent mercy."
Another knock filled the room as Kagome smoothed her bluish black flyaway hairs which escaped the intricate bun the rest of her hair was styled into.
"Come in!" Kagome proudly exclaimed and the four rebel representatives trotted into the room, each one dressed more gaudy than the last.