Chapter 3: Naraku's Plan

Naraku sat patiently on his seat waiting for his allies to arrive. He waited many years for this moment and finally he could put his plans into action. He looked around his well-lit office and smiled at the fine tapestries that hung from the walls and ornate furniture that decorated the space. Often it even shocked himself how far he had come from the bowels of the slums.

His father was a lesser spider demon who was a criminal who survived by thieving and feeding on small animals and even yokai newborns. Once the time came to have a family he could not find a wife. There was no yokai male that would ever offer their daughters to him, and no female that would want him. His humanoid form was just as horrid as his true form. With no options, he instead robbed a wealthy ningen merchant when he was passing through and slaughtered his entire crew, except for a female child that worked aboard his caravan. He raped the girl when she came of age and she died giving birth to Naraku. Using the dead merchant's wealth and name, Onigumo, he relocated and built some kind of name for himself. Once Naraku was old enough he had his father killed and used his charm and cunning to work his way up the ranks until he held a lesser position in the royal court. It was a story that few knew.

Naraku was mostly hated now because he was a hanyo, and because the Inu no Taisho disliked him. He always suspected Naraku of foul play. Of course he was right, given the current situation. Naraku smirked as he thought about his plan. This moment was short lived as his office doors swung open and walking in a straight line were his new allies. Four of the most powerful yokai in the West entered his office.

First there was Abi, a phoenix demon, who in her humanoid form was gorgeous. She had ruby red eyes, jet black hair with streaks of orange and red that hung like a silk curtain down her back from under her gold headdress. Her skin was like smooth ivory and she wore a white kimono with red feather embroidered on it and a red robe over her shoulders. She came from the wealthiest family in the west, next to the royals.

Behind her were the brothers Hiten and Manten, soldiers in the royal army and thunder demons. Hiten was slim and looked very young no older than maybe sixteen in human years. He had tan skin, dark brown hair in a braid, and red eyes. He was a captain. Manten was a lieutenant. He was bulkier and had a large head almost no hair, except for the small braid at the back of his long head, yellowish skin, beady black eyes and two nostril slits on his nose-less face. They would be great for recruiting soldiers to fight on his behalf.

Last was probably the most formidable of the group, Ryukotsusei. His was aged older than most yokai living now. In his humanoid form he was tall, towering over the entire group. His skin was a pale purple color, with a long fluffy white mane going down his back, blood red snake eyes, and large protruding fangs coming out of his mouth. He wore basic black hakama pants, white kimono, and a black haori. Ryukotsusie was a dragon daiyokai, which made him more powerful than the average yokai demon, and he lived in the Plains of Musashi with his family. Very rarely did he take his humanoid form, and even more rarely did he come to the capitol city. But as much as he hated being out with the public he hated the Inu no Taisho. They were old friends, dating back to when Ryukotsusei used to be the royal advisor. He began his feud when the Inu no Taisho first took his human bride, sullying the bloodline.

Naraku rose and offered them seats at the table before him. They all sat down, Ryukotsusie on the left end and Abi on the right end. All of their faces were patient and aloof as they waited for Naraku to begin.

"Thank you for coming today, gentlemen… and your ladyship." Abi smirked and he went on. "I have you all here because I know you all share the same contempt I do for the Inu no Taisho and that circus he calls a royal family. I feel that the Western Kingdom has been ruled by the Inu's for long enough. I believe it is time or a new ruler, one who will be ready to take control of the surrounding kingdoms and create and empire, not keep creating false treaties just for the sake of bedding that kingdoms women. We need a leader who will actually lead us and make us more powerful than before."

All of their faces were passive, and then Hiten frowned leaning forward, placing is left hand on his knee and spoke in a raspy voice. "And who exactly do you suppose this new leader should be? You? A hanyo with no real birthright?"

Manten did not speak but he did scoff. Abi and Ryukotsusie had no reaction. They remained silent, waiting for Naraku's response. Naraku ground his teeth to reign in his temper before it even sparked and put on a pleasant smile.

"Of course not. As you all know, the crown princess, my daughter, is currently pregnant. There is no doubt in my mind that this child shall be a boy. I believe that he should be the new King, and under our close tutelage he will be a fit heir."

"And why should the new king be your grandson? So that he will only do what you want?" Hiten countered.

"If we try to stick some unknown noble or aristocrat up there the general public may reject him. My grandson has royal blood in him; he will be easily accepted as the rightful heir. Plus, if we get to him while he's young we will have a chance to save him from being corrupted, or from another ningen being married into the family. We have to preserve the bloodline."

"Why not the Princess Ai?" Manten asked. Speaking for the first time.

Naraku sighed in feigned frustration, "She is too corrupted. She and the King's second bastard are practically connected at the hip. She likes humans and feels that it is not improper to be married or mated to them. The newborn prince will be young and easy to raise proper without undoing any mis-teachings."

This time Abi spoke. "I'm curious, as a creature that's half ningen yourself; I figured you would be happy about these changes. I'm also wondering why you would wish to cause such trouble when it is your daughter who will be future queen."

"Being a hanyo, I more than anyone know the downfalls of mixing the races. Ningen were meant to liv e in their world and yokai in theirs. Luckily I have managed to build a decent life for myself and my offspring, hoping that they would end up better off than me, and they have, but the thought of my grandchildren intermingling with ningens, marrying them, bedding them, I cannot stand for it. The Princess Ai and the soon to be born prince are purebloods. It was my dying wish to bring honor to my family by making them pureblood, but if we allow the nu no Taisho to continue his antics, it won't be for very long. I have to protect my family's name. What's more, I need to protect this kingdom. So gentlemen, I will ask you, do I have your support?"

There was a long drawn out silence. No one spoke. Naraku's heart started to beat a little faster as he anxiously awaited their verdict. Did he not say enough? Hell! Did he say too much? Why were they just staring, answer the damn question?

Finally Abi's voice cut in. "I would like to hear what you think, Lord Ryukotsusie." She leaned forward and looked at the daiyokai.

The old dragon sat motionless and expressionless for a few moments. Then his eyes met with Naraku's. He could not read them very well but they seemed to be thinking. "The hanyo is right, the Inu no Taisho must be stopped. The bloodline needs to be preserved, the young prince to be born should suffice as a proper heir, but I do wonder, who will reign until he is capable?"

He had not expected that question to come up but it did. He should have known better. Not wanting to look as if he was searching for an answer he quickly spoke. "I understand why that would be a concern, and naturally you probably think that I would Nominate myself."

The daiyokai raised a thick white brow. "You're not?"

"No. My blood is not suitable to even be a regent. Instead I should think that my son, Byakuya should take on that position. He is a scholar and is currently away at the university studying. He is the person who gave me the idea. I trust him to be King Regent until my grandson has reached a reasonable age."

Ryukotsusie narrowed his eyes. Everyone eyed him warily as he looked at Naraku with an unreadable expression. "You have my support."

Naraku wanted to let out a breath of relief but did not dare. He looked to the others, but was a little more confident knowing that he had the support of the daiyokai. Abi smiled and nodded her head in agreement. All that was left were the Thunder Brothers. They looked at each other, silently communicating, and then looked back at Naraku.

"What do you needs us to do?" Hiten asked.

Naraku could not help the smile that appeared on his face. "I need you two to gather the forces that we'll need. We're throwing a coup and I want to make sure we'll have the support of our troops." They both nodded.

"And us? Why do you need us?" Abi asked.

"When all of this is done I am sure both the North and the South were joining in an effort to defeat us. Your ladyship ha the funds and his lordship have the regard to make sure our campaign is successful." There was a short silence.

"I feel that that is enough for one night." Ryukotsusie rose. "I should be heading back now. Send for me when you wish to discuss the remainder of the plans."

The Thunder Brothers rose to salute him. He gave them a curt nod and a full own to Abi. After exchanging a few more words their 'meeting' was adjourned. When they were leaving Naraku went to get his personal bottle of Northern wine from his desk and poured himself a glass. He could still feel the energy of one yokai and poured a second glass for him remaining guest.

Can I help you, your ladyship?" He set the half-filled glass out for her on the desk.

Abi smiled and sauntered up to him. "What are you planning?"

"I already told you."

"But what are you planning that you haven't told us?"

"I do not k now what you mean? My lady I think you're being paranoid. Even Ryukotsusie believed me, why don't you?" He sat in his chair and sipped his wine.

Abi narrowed her eyes, "Ryukotsusie is very old and powerful, but he is old… and he's a fool. He so stuck in his hatred for ningen and hanyo he is incapable of seeing the big picture."

"And you are not?" Naraku teased

Abi scowled and crossed her arms. "Tell me."

Naraku studied her for a moment and then proceeded to pour himself another glass of wine. While doing so he asked, "Why don't you tell me what you want Abi?" His tone lowered dangerously as he narrowed his eyes.

Abi stared at him for a few long moments before picking up her glass and downing the wine. She set the glass down on the table and planted her hand next to it, leaning forward, slowly, and seductively she whispered, "I want to be Queen."

Naraku took these words into consideration as he gulped his second glass down. "Once the wars over there will be considerable amounts of land for the taking. I'm sure there can be some type of arrang—"

"No," she said soft but sternly. "I don't want to be a queen. I want to be the queen."

She looked at him steady. Daring him to challenge her. Naraku simply refilled her glass. "That may prove to be a bit complicated… My grandson…"

"Spare me the theatrics. I know you, Naraku. I see it in your eyes. You don't care about the bloodlines; you don't care about anything, not even your grandchildren. You want power. Now again I ask, what are you planning?"

Naraku watched her for a moment and smirked. He rose from his seat and walk around the desk to stand in front of her. She faced him with an open expression.

"Do you know the tale of the War Gods?"

She scoffed. "Of course my mother told me that story almost every night before bed… Why?"

"It is said, that the four weapons used by the gods, in combination with a sacred gems has unmentionable power. You can kill entire armies or bring people back from the dead, enhance strength…"

Abi's eyes widened in understanding, or make a half blood pure," she finished.

"Precisely."

She smirked. "You never intended on giving the throne to your grandson, you're going to find this power, make yourself into a full blooded yokai and then rule on your own."

"Yes."

She smirked, "and what if this myth turns out to be just that?"

"It's not; I've been given this option by a true source."

"Who?" She asked with pure interest. Naraku narrowed his eyes suspiciously at her. "You've already told me this much." She added with a beautiful smile.

She truly was beautiful. More beautiful than his late wife Kikyo. She slightly reminded him of her. She was dark and beautiful, very hard to read ad smart. Maybe that's why he did not mind sharing as much as he did with her.

"I cannot tell you that. But all of the answers will soon be revealed." She narrowed her eyes and then smirked before downing the rest of the wine in the glass. "Wouldn't you mind being mated with a hanyo?"

"Well, according to you, you will not be hanyo for very much longer. So we have a deal?"

Naraku sighed. "I'm afraid I cannot make you a queen."

Abi's face slowly formed into a deep angry scowl. "What do you mean? Why did you just tell me all of that then?"

"I wish to build an empire, and within my empire I'm afraid I cannot make you my queen. But I can make you my empress."

A large smile broke out on Abi's face. "Oh… That can work," she said giggling.

Without another moment's hesitation, Naraku reached forward and brought her lips to his in a strong, heated kiss. She leaned into it and accepted it greedily. And why shouldn't she, after all she would be his empress.

Another chapter up in less than what 2 days I think? ** shrugs**

I know it wasn't very long but I feel I got a lot accomplished, plus my other fic needs a little TLC so I had to make this one short.

Don't foret to tell me what you guys think. I know I'm hyped to see what will happen when Rin, Sesshomaru, and Kagura all meet, right?