A/N: Hey everyone. So just in case you didn't know to make up to you my extended absence I WILL be posting a chapter every day until Friday and then it will be once a week on Fridays. Ok so on to the story.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything except for the few characters that I have invented to make my story possible.
Ch. 14 Surprises
Kagome stood in her chambers looking through the closet for a kimono that she could wear to the meeting. This was going to be the decisive meeting that would plan out the attacks, who would do what, and the main objectives. All of the allies had arrived earlier that morning while she was training with Kumiko and Miyuki. They had asked at that morning why they hadn't seen her at lunch the day before or in the evening at dinner. Kagome had told them that she hadn't felt well and stayed in her room. The two demons' accepted her explanation and started where they left off with the sword training.
Kagome couldn't pick one, they all were so beautiful but at the same time she felt they were too much for a miko especially one that would be fighting with them. She then decided the best thing to do would be to pick three of the kimono and choose from those. She reached into the closet hopefully for the last time today and pulled out a light blue and red kimono, a green kimono, and a yellow and orange one. She then laid the kimono on the bed and tried to imagine how each would look.
'Well the blue one is very nice but the red won't match my hair tie I have. And the yellow one seems to happy for a meeting about war…well I guess it's the green one.'
She then put the other kimono away and started to dress. Half an hour later Kagome walked out of her room in the green kimono. It was a simple tea green Kimono but the ends of the sleeves were a shade darker and silk and the obi was made from the same silk. She had braided her hair and tied it with a green tie that had green beads and ribbons hanging from it. She barely moved a few steps before she noticed someone had been standing near the door.
"Oh I didn't see you there Lord Sesshomaru."
"Humph." He acknowledged before moving to go towards the dining hall that would serve as their meeting area.
Kagome immediately followed walking off to his side.
"You keep pace with me even though I am supposed to be ahead of you."
Kagome was shocked and slowed to let him pass her but he also slowed.
"I'm sorry Lord Sesshomaru I guess I didn't notice it since I thought everyone knew I was… well a miko." She paused before correcting her thought, 'Important to you.'
"There are still those who may not be trust worthy. It may be best for you to simply accompany me as my servant."
Kagome bowed her head, "Yes my lord."
Sesshomaru looked at Kagome and her bowed head for a moment a bit angry with himself for forcing her back into her false position as his servant but at the same time he rationalized it was best for her safety and for his.
*BANG* *CRASH* *SWORD CLASHING*
"Quickly don't let them get to the Lords!" A man's shout echoed down the hall.
"Fools, you are no match for all us! You and your lord will die for attacking us!" An equally loud shout was heard from another man and then more swords clashing.
Sesshomaru quickly ran forward and turned the corner towards the noise, he was followed by Kagome. What they saw was a small group of youkai attacking through a hole where wall and a window had been, but now stood rubble and glass.
A few guards where already present and were trying to hold back the intruders as the other attackers took the opportunity to try to pass by, but they were stopped by Sesshomaru. He quickly dispatched the youkai before they could react and then turned to the others and did the same except for one. Arisugawa's guards stood by as Sesshomaru placed his sword against the lone youkai's throat.
"You will tell me now what you are doing here." He growled clearly tempted to kill the youkai before he could answer the question.
"But…you…your dead! I saw…but…" The youkai stopped his stuttering and calmed before answering the question, "We were sent here to get Lord Arisugawa's answer as to whether or not he would submit to a new treaty."
"So you attack his home?"
"It was a warning that we would not wait on him as you did. But those are not my words. They are the words of my Lord!"
Sesshomaru didn't hesitate as he quickly removed the head of the youkai, "Clean this and fix that immediately. I will inform Lord Arisugawa of this incident." Sesshomaru said turning from the body now on the ground and walked towards where Kagome had stopped.
When he reached her side he stopped, "Let us go."
Kagome looked up to him and asked, "Why did you kill him? We could have used him for information."
"I will not permit anyone who was there when everything was taken to live."
Kagome then looked down too scared to see the hate and coldness clearly displayed in eyes that before seemed to be warming up. Sesshomaru realized that Kagome didn't understand why he did what he did but he felt it wasn't her place to question him so he then went towards the meeting place. Kagome followed behind him with her head bowed silent the remainder of the way to the meeting.
When they entered Kagome sat herself behind the only open seat near the lords next to Kumiko. Kumiko turned to Kagome, "Why are you sitting over here? I am back here because I am Arisugawa's head servant."
"And I am here for the same reason for my lord." Kagome responded trying to appear normal.
Kumiko didn't ask any further questions as Sesshomaru stood at his seat and announced what had happened only moments before on his way there. After hearing this, the room was in uproar and there were cries for immediate retaliation.
Arisugawa then stood and the room grew quiet, "We are here to decide what our strategy will be in the upcoming battle. It would only take a couple days to take the battle to them and as far as I know we are prepared for that. But that is not our only choice or option, thus why this meeting is important."
There was silence for a few moments as people muttered but no one spoke as to if they needed more time for preparations.
Kazuki then stood at his side and said, "Then we all shall vote on when we shall go to battle if you are in favor at leaving at dawn say 'aye'."
A resounding sound of 'aye's was then heard.
"And if you feel we should wait whether or not it is for preparation say 'aye'."
There was no reply and Kazuki smiled ready to finally go to battle, "Then it is settled we shall leave at dawn to the battle field."
The lords then took their seats and began to discuss strategy. Arisugawa was first.
"My plan is to go and face our enemy head on. When we arrive we will send a scout to offer them the chance to surrender and they will likely say no. Then we will fight them and their army on their battle grounds. The main objective at that time will be to defeat the army and if possible capture their lord." Arisugawa then sat ending what his plan was.
A few consents were heard as were a few voices that disagreed with his plan of approach.
Kazuki then stood to share what his thoughts on the best plan of attack would be, "I say we don't do them the honor of giving them the opportunity to surrender whether or not they accept it!"
Cheering was heard.
"I say we treat them the same as they have treated both Lord Sesshomaru and Lord Arisugawa and quickly strike them down without warning like lightning. Or main objective is to kill this false lord and his hanu accomplice Naraku!" He then sat as the room was filled with cheers again. Finally Sesshomaru stood and the room grew quiet.
"My plan is that we go to the western lands and stand ready on the battle field. I will go and challenge the cowards to fight me or face our army. I will not allow their lord or that disgusting hanu to live past this and neither should any of you."
The room remained silent and then Arisugawa stood, "Let us take a vote then, all for Kazuki's plan?"
A few 'aye's were heard and this surprised the lords.
"Umm, all for the plan I have presented?"
Again a few 'aye's were heard.
"Finally all who are for Lord Sesshomaru's plan of action?"
Finally the room filled with a resounding 'aye' and so it was decided.
"Then we shall follow his plan of attack and leave at dawn. Further details will be decided on the battle field."
The room filled with cheers and jeers of the fight and the enemy they would be facing in the not too distant future.
The lords then left the room and Miyuki, Kagome, and Kumiko followed them out the door. Arisugawa lead them all to the study where after the door was shut and everyone was seated he turned to everyone else, "So then we are going to go forth with the way you wanted to do this Sesshomaru. I hope that pleases you somewhat knowing that everyone agrees that your way is best."
"I would have done it my way no matter what you all voted."
Arisugawa laughed lightly and Kazuki turned to Sesshomaru, "I surprised you didn't second my plan."
"This Sesshomaru does not second others despite the fact that you are a lord Kazuki."
"Ah, I understand." Kazuki responded realizing that if Sesshomaru had seconded him it would appear weak for a man who had already been defeated even if it was on unfair grounds.
Miyuki then spoke, "So the three of us women will be attending any wounded on the back lines then or did you not think of us in your plans?"
Sesshomaru turned to the dragoness, "You will do as you say as long as your mate agrees to it. I do not care for what you do as long as you stay out of my way."
Kagome felt a pain in her chest at his words and didn't understand why it affected her so.
"You told me that both Kagome and Kumiko are adequately prepared for anything correct Lady Miyuki?" Arisugawa inquired after Sesshomaru finished.
Miyuki turned to him, "Yes they are both well trained in defense and in offense. I have no doubt that the three of us would do fine if we were allowed to join you on the battlefield."
Lord Kazuki laughed, "My mate is so persistent, but I assure you if she says they are prepared then they are."
Arisugawa smiled, "I trust you, and if that is the case then I have no qualms with the three of you attending any of our wounded."
Miyuki bowed her head in gratitude to Lord Arisugawa.
"If that is all I we shall retire then, Sesshomaru, Arisugawa."Lord Kazuki said as he and Miyuki go up and left.
Arisugawa turned to Kagome and Kumiko then, "If the two of you do not mind Lord Sesshomaru and I need to discuss a few things so you will not be needed any more tonight. I suggest you relax and sleep well tonight for the battle ahead may not permit as much."
Kagome and Kumiko stood and bowed thanking Arisugawa and moved to leave but before exiting Kagome bowed again, this time to Sesshomaru, "Good night my lord. I hope I did not offend you or upset you earlier."
"This Sesshomaru does not feel those pathetic emotions and if you offended you would be as that soldier earlier was."
Kagome stood straight and looked him in the eyes thins time angry, "Let me remind you that I know what you have been through and that I saved your life Lord Sesshomaru. I am here to help you and not to be treated as you have done until now." With that Kagome then left the room.
"Well now, it doesn't seem like you chose to go the route I directed."Arisugawa said after the door shut.
Sesshomaru turned to the cat youkai, "She is a human and a convenience in my attempt to get my lands back. That is all and that is how it shall remain. I will not be further lectured or directed otherwise by you or anyone else on this matter."
Sesshomaru then stood and made his way for the door.
"If that is how you feel then she is lucky because you didn't deserve her anyways just as your brother doesn't."
Sesshomaru made no reply and walked out the door.
~*~*~*~
A/N: Well there is the newest installation. I hope you enjoyed. No I know I'm posting every day until Friday but I would appreciate a few reviews or so despite all that. Please? Maybe? Ok, well you think about it. I mean the button is just right under this. Well, see you tomorrow!