A/N: Presenting the new installation of AYWFD! I am extremely sorry for the long wait I had a really bad case of writers block.

Disclaimer: I still don't own any of it.

Ch. 6 The Great Dragon Lord Kazuki

Kagome sat to the side of Lord Arisugawa in a simple brown kimono. Her hair was tied back in a low pony tail and her face was downcast as they awaited Lord Kazuki's arrival.

Kumiko also was in the room waiting to open the doors for Lord Kazuki. She too was dressed in a plain brown kimono with her hair also tied back.

Kagome meditated as she sat there with nothing else to do until he arrived. Then she felt at the edge of her senses a few strong demonic auras coming from the north towards the castle. They were not traveling as fast as Sesshomaru had done once he was that close, but they still were going quickly.

Arisugawa and Kumiko noticeably straightened and waited. Kumiko soon arose from her spot and opened the doors to let in the Dragon Lord.

From her down cast stare Kagome could tell that he had long dark violet hair with blue streaks that was pulled back and made into a long braid with a green ribbon holding it. His kimono also was a dark hunter green shade like the ribbon with brown waves and swirls decorating it.

"Lord Kazuki! I hope that your flight here was well?" Arisugawa asked politely as he stood.

Kagome slightly turned to see the other lord as he responded in a deep booming voice, "Yes, it was quite exceptional. The weather today was enjoyable I almost wish I had more time for such an activity."

Arisugawa bowed and so did the other lord before they sat. Once they were sitting Kagome and Kumiko moved to serve the respective lords their tea.

"So why exactly do you think we should get involved and procure the late Sesshomaru's lands?"

Kazuki lifted his cup and sipped some of his tea before answering, "Of all people Arisugawa I would have thought you to be more eager to reclaim his family's lands in their honor especially since you were supposedly such a good friend of the west."

Arisugawa laughed, "Yes, I was a good friend of Inutaisho's but I have never seen eye to eye with his son."

"Wasn't there another son also? We could ask for his help and reclaim the lands so that it would stay in their family."

"You mean the hanu Inuyasha? He would be even simpler to over throw than Sesshomaru was!" He said with a chuckle.

Kazuki then stood with his sword drawn, "How would you know how easy it was to over throw him? Did you take part in his demise cat? Are you as traitorous as that snake and his hanu ally?"

Arisugawa was unfazed as he sat there, "No but I do not see the point in going to battle against them unless you have some advantage because it truly could go either way and we would both loose our lands in the process."

"This is not about land Arisugawa. This is about loyalty. I never liked the western family but since Sesshomaru has been lord I have not had any problems. With him gone we do not know who is next. They will not stop at one of our lands and we cannot allow our other enemies to see that we would just allow this to happen to a fellow lord." Kazuki said angrily.

Arisugawa then said, "So let's not look bad. Why don't we simply acknowledge their rule and make them our allies? We would not look weak then."

Kazuki this time did not stand by he then charged Arisugawa grabbing him by his kimono and lifting him in the air with his opposite hand holding the sword at his throat.

"Lord Arisugawa, you are either an ally to my cause or an enemy in which case I will kill you now rather than have you back stab me."

Kumiko stood to help her lord but was grabbed by a woman that Kagome had not seen come in.

Kagome then stood, "I would let go of Lord Arisugawa if you value your life Lord Kazuki."

The lord looked her way and laughed, "Since when has the east kept such pets? Leave here human and I might not kill you."

Kumiko was struggling with the demoness holding her.

Kazuki then laughed, "You have two female servants here to protect you and both are useless being one is human and the other weak. Kill her dear."

The demoness smiled, "With pleasure." And slit Kumiko's throat.

"No!" Kagome yelled but as the blade ran across her friends flesh there was a poof and when the smoke cleared Kumiko was holding the demoness in her grasp.

Kagome went to her friends side and made an arrow out of her purification powers.

Kazuki who watched then grew enraged, "You will not harm her!"

Kagome move the arrow at the woman's neck that slightly burned the demoness at such close a range.

"I will kill her if you do not let Lord Arisugawa go."

Kagome looked at him seriously and waited. When he did nothing she pressed the arrow closer causing the demoness to scream in agony as it burned her flesh enough for it to bleed.

"No!" Kazuki yelled as he let Arisugawa go.

Kagome then released the demoness and she ran to Kazuki's side.

Arisugawa then spoke, "You have proven your loyalty Kazuki. Kagome please heal her wound."

Kagome walked toward them and the woman flinched as her fingers touched her neck healing it on contact.

"I am sorry but I could not allow you to hurt Lord Arisugawa." Kagome said with a bow after healing her.

Arisugawa then approached, "This was all necessary to prove ourselves to her Kazuki, I am sorry for my deception."

Kazuki looked at Kagome, "Why did we need to prove ourselves to a miko?"

"Because she is the one who has helped me the most thus far since my lands were taken." Sesshomaru said from the door way.

Kazuki's eyes widened, "You're alive! Lord Sesshomaru has not fallen!" He and the demoness with him then bowed.

Arisugawa the motioned for everyone to sit again and they all did so.

Kazuki was first to speak, "How did you escape? There were so many soldiers from what my men had seen."

"Yes, I was able to dispatch a few but they attacked from all sides and one managed to poison me. I was partially paralyzed after that and they thought they had me but Jaken came and took care of them that is how we escaped. I would never had left my lands but my vassal convinced me that it would be better that way."

"He was smart. Now you are here and helthy not a week since the attack and we can reclaim your lands. But how is it you found this miko who can help us?"

Kagome looked at Sesshomaru and he slightly nodded for her to answer.

"I have known my lord for some time now. After the attack I found him wounded and cured him. Since then I have been at his side to help in the reclaiming of his lands."

Kazuki nodded before turning to Arisugawa, "And how did you know he was alive?"

Arisugawa, "He came here with her asking for my aid yesterday."

The demoness by Kazuki's side then asked, "But why was all the deception necessary? I thought you lords were loyal to one another."

Arisugawa looked at her, "Uncertain times call for necessary procedures. Who are you anyways Lady? I have never heard of or seen you before."

Kazuki then spoke, "She is my mate. I was to announce it soon but I have been busy."

Arisugawa smiled, "About time Kazuki. I know that dragon demonesses are hard to woe but I was beginning to think that you were getting to old to handle such a courtship."

"You are one to talk Arisugawa."

"Yes, I do need an heir but I have already taken two mates in my lifetime, this is only your first."

"And we dragons mate for life like the Inu do so you can see where it is harder to pick a mate."

"Yes but I intended both times to be with only the one. Sadly fate thought better of it to take both from me. She is a lovely woman and I wish you the best."

Sesshomaru then spoke, "Can we continue with business?"

Arisugawa smiled at Sesshomaru, "Yes, but don't think we won't be bothering you next about your lack of a mate now."

Sesshomaru then said, "With both of your armies and with our other allies I believe we will succeed in the fight."

Kazuki then commented, "Yes and with your miko to cure our wonder there would be fewer casualties."

"Yes that is what I plan. She will also be important toward the end of the campaign when we have only a few left to fight and she can take care of the majority of them."

"I take it that some of the enemy has fought her before and that any earlier use of her would alert them?"

Sesshomaru nodded, "So I need to know how long you both need to collect your armies so that we can attack."

Kazuki smiled, "Mine are all ready."

Arisugawa then nodded thinking, "I need a few days to gather them and make sure they are prepared. Also I will need a couple more to wait for my other allies to join us here."

Sesshomaru nodded, "Then by the end of next week we shall meet our enemies in battle."

Kazuki then asked, "What of you Sesshomaru? What allies will you be bringing?"

"I believe my miko has some that will be willing to fight for us."

Kagome nodded, "I only need a day."

Kazuki laughed, "Only that many."

Kagome smiled, "I am quick and so are my allies. They are ready for battle constantly."

The two lords looked at her and nodded. Kagome then rose and left the room.

"She is quite a serious woman for being so young." Arisugawa said.

Sesshomaru didn't listen though as he wondered why he had never noticed this side of the miko in all the years she fought alongside his brother. She had always appeared weak and inept but now she seemed stronger and more skilled.

*~*~*~*

Kagome walked towards her room thinking of her friends and if they would help. She knew Inuyasha was a lost cause but the others she hoped would fight besides her. She then wondered if Koga would accompany them into battle.

'They are my friends and would do anything for me. I know that they will help.'

She walked into her room and picked up her bag, "Now where are my miko garbs? I feel uncomfortable in this kimono."

A voice behind her then said, "I believe that Arisugawa's servant was washing your things for you."

Kagome turned and saw Sesshomaru, "Oh."

"I believe there are kimonos in there that you can wear." He said motioning toward the closet.

Kagome nodded, "That's fine I will just wait for my garb. There is no point for me to wear such beautiful kimonos all the time."

Sesshomaru then walked to the closet, "Kagome there is not much time left to wear these and enjoy them. This battle we go into has no certain outcomes."

She laughed, "Lord Sesshomaru, if it makes you happy I will wear them till we leave but please do not sound as if you doubt our victory. It is not good for anyone's moral."

He looked at her for a moment something flashed through his eyes but then they became cold and he simply said, "This Sesshomaru is confident in victory. I was merely telling you that since you are human there is no promise of you coming out of this alive or unharmed."

He then walked away and out of the room. Kagome stood there and thought about his words, 'Is he worried for me? No, he is just concerned that I will be killed before I kill Naraku.'

She then went to the closet and picked a kimono to change into.

~*~*~*~

A/N: I'm sorry again for the delay. I am going to write the next part right now and post it ASAP. I swear on Sesshomaru! Ok then. Thank you all who reviewed and thanks to all of you who just read and get upset when you notice it has been over a month since I posted. I am sorry. Please continue to read and review.

-Vamp