New chapter time! And guess what, there's PLOT! Ya-a-y.

"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."
― Napoleon Bonaparte

"When one treats people with benevolence, justice, and righteousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders'."
― Sun Tzu


CHAPTER START

Kagome knew she wasn't the best at reading people. In fact, she acknowledged that she could be downright dense sometimes. But in the moment she saw her brother-in-law's eyes narrow in absolute focus on her friend and his chest expand with a heaving breath, she knew.

At first she wasn't sure how she felt about it. Inuyasha had told her a thing or two about what happened when a male demon - specifically a male dog demon - fixated on a female. Kagome herself had been on the receiving end of such fixation and knew from personal experienced how intense it could be. And her mate was only a half demon. She eyeballed the Taiyoukai for a minute. Hadn't she just been wishing for him to find some happiness? She knew if it was possible for someone to shake him out of his façade and love him the whole way through it, Aiko could. She loved reluctantly but entirely unconditionally.

Kagome's eyes flicked to Aiko and, upon seeing the conflict on her friend's face, promised herself she would corner the woman ASAP and demand a serious girl talk. She grinned. This could be interesting to say the least. But now wasn't time. All evil plans to hook her single friend up with a sexy Taiyoukai aside, they had a war council to get underway.

"Aiko, what have you found out?" Kagome watched her friend snap out of her brief funk and in a flash Aiko was completely the cunning strategist. Her eyes narrowed in concentration and her expression turned grim. Her eyes flicked from one person to another. Kagome could almost see her friend's mind firing off ideas, sorting, eliminating and revising. Barely a second ticked by before Aiko spoke up.

"They're coming from all sides."

Kagome's brows furrowed, "How is that possible? They were barely scraping themselves together in the east only seven days ago."

Aiko nodded. "True, seven days ago. Gogenmaru is moving faster than anyone could have anticipated."

Aiko reached into a small pack on her hip and drew out what looked to be a rolled piece of thick rice paper. She knelt and spread it out on the floor in the midst of the group. It was a beautifully detailed a map of Japan. Aiko waited a moment for everyone to familiarize themselves with it.

"The soldiers in the east are meant as a distraction. He has at least three other groups in place to flood the north, west, and south the moment our backs are turned." Aiko pointed to three spots on the map indicating the location of the encampments. She looked up, "They're relatively small and well hidden but that won't last too much longer."

Daichi's eyes widened. "How fast are they growing?" Worry was heavy in his voice.

Aiko addressed him directly. "The northern and southern encampments each gained about one hundred in the past two days. The western group has gained that many soldiers in the last six hours." She scanned the faces around her and continued. "In a week's time I suspect they will have doubled in size.".

Inuyasha growled low in is throat. "So, what, four hundred each in the east, north, and south, and eight hundred in the west? Big deal, Tetsuseiga can take down a hundred in one swing. Let 'em come.".

Aiko turned sharply toward the hanyo. "These soldiers aren't of the cannon fodder variety, Inuyasha. Most are well trained and all are infused with dark magic and the strength that comes from fighting for their ideals. They should not be taken lightly."

"He's planning to take over Japan!" Kotoko this time, her eyes were wide with worry and her hand clenched her mate's forearm.

Aiko spoke to the frantic ice demon calmly. "We believe that is his ultimate goal, yes, but not the purpose for the present endeavor. As impressive as the forces are, they're not enough to subdue the entire country and, more importantly maintain it afterward".

Koga growled low in his throat. "So, what's he after? It's gotta be somthin' big if he's gonna make this much of a mess."

Inuyasha's brow furrowed in concentration, "What's in the west that he would want so badly."

"That is the one thing we don't know. There have been whispers among the officers of an object with immense power; the 'final piece to the puzzle' they keep saying. But we haven't been able to find out anything else. They're being very careful." Aiko turned to Sesshomaru, "I was hoping you might have an idea of what they're looking for, Lord Sesshomaru.".

Kagome gasped, "That's right! The western lands do belong to you, Sesshomaru."

The group turned to the demon lord expectantly; he looked directly at Aiko and spoke his first words at the gathering, "You said 'we'. Who are your informants?"

Aiko had been expecting the question - and dreading it. People often wondered how she discovered the things she did, especially among the most careful, tight lipped people. She hesitated for a moment; this was delicate information. She could count on one hand the number of people privy to that knowledge. Still, he had a right to know. They all did. Especially since they could be put in considerable danger should her information be wrong. It wasn't, of course, her sources were always right. But they had no way of knowing that. She began her explanation slowly,

"It's less a question of who as it is what. My being - essence or soul - is directly connected to that of the trees." She paused here, gauging the reaction of her audience, pleased to find them mostly receptive. "The trees share a collective consciousness that I can freely access. They are my eyes and ears."

Sesshomaru nodded, "Have they been able to able to give you any further details concerning the location or nature of the object?"

Aiko had to bite back a laugh. She had just informed this demon that she could talk to trees. But his tone seemed more suitable for discussing the dreary weather that had been hanging over the area recently. Aiko had picked up more inner turmoil at his reaction to her voice than information most individuals would either consider pure fallacy or see as exploitable power. In fact, in that moment, she couldn't read much from him at all.

She blinked, realizing he had asked her a question. What was it? Oh yea! "As I said before, they've been very tight-lipped. The way they talk about it, it could be a weapon but . . . Sometimes it sounds like they're referring to a person. The only thing I'm sure of is its location in the west and its absolute importants to Gogenmaru's plan. I will know more as it comes together".

Sesshomaru nodded again, "This Sesshomaru will think on this."

Aiko nodded her head in understanding.

Daichi turned a piercing gaze on Aiko, "I assume you have a plan."

"I do."

Inuyasha flashed a fang filled sideways grin, "Aiko always has a plan. That's why she's here."

A blush suddenly dusted Aiko's cheeks. She never did take praise well. Even half veiled as the compliment was, she had to hide her embarrassment.

Honestly, you'd think I'd have grown out of that by now. Keep it together Aiko, you're a professional and this is serious.

"So, let's hear the plan then."

It was moments like these that reminded Aiko that she had the most amazing, considerate friend in the world.

Bless you Kagome, bless you.

Kagome watched as her friend was once again all business. When they were just becoming acquainted, Kagome had actually believed that the usually reserved-but-kind Aiko didn't suffer from the mood-swing plague that ruled over all of female kind. She had learned differently over the years. True, her friend usually didn't pendulum from one emotion to another in the blink of an eye, but it did happen; Aiko was just good at hiding it. Kagome smiled. They were such different people. It's a wonder they got along at all in the beginning. Where Kagome was impulsive and wearing her heart on her sleeve, Aiko was cautious, revealing her heart to few.

Aiko studied the map briefly as she arranged her thoughts. "We have a large area to cover in a short amount of time. Each band of soldiers is strategically placed so that it would take even the fastest of us a considerable amount of time to travel from one to another. And traveling as a large group would only slow us down.". Aiko paused, took a breath and squared her shoulders.

"As such, I propose we break into groups in order to engage all the groups simultaneously."

Koga pounded his fist into his open palm, obviously thrilled with the idea of taking on a few hundred soldiers solo. "All right, now you're talking! I'll take the western troop."

"Hang on a minute wolf." Inuyasha's protest was quick to follow. "Ain't no way we're trustin' you with the biggest group. You'd just screw it up and make us come and haul your sorry demon hide outa' trouble." Both males snarled and tensed their muscles for a fight. Aiko had to act quickly. A brawl could easily sever the tentatively formed bonds that held this group together.

"Actually Koga . . . " She had the wolf demons attention. "I had hoped you would agree to front the attack on the southern encampment.".

Koga growled again in frustration. "You doubt my skills too, woman?"

Aiko's response was immediate and even. "Absolutely not. That's why I chose you for the task." She rooted him with her gaze. "There are seven of us gathered here and four battle fields to outfit. One of us will have to go alone. It's my understanding that you know the terrain in the south well. Do you think you're up to the challenge?".

Koga stilled and relaxed marginally, apparently appeased by his assignment. She was counting on him to take on an entire troop without aid. Everyone else would be sent in pairs. He swelled with pride. In his mind she had just acknowledged him as the strongest in the room. He smirked, "Of course I can handle it. They won't know what hit 'em."

Aiko dipped her head in acknowledgement, understanding she had said the right thing. She wasn't lying. She didn't doubt his strength. But she also saw his limits. He was reckless at heart and straightforward my nature: not good traits when dealing with a delicate situation like the one developing in the west. No, Koga's true strength was realized in his pack. And Aiko happened to know they had been occupying that area of Japan for several years now. He wouldn't truly be going alone, but he also wouldn't feel as though his strength was being questioned. Satisfied with the wolf's cooperation, Aiko turned back to the group.

"As for the rest of us: Inuyasha, Kagome, can the two of you take the east?" The pair shared a glance in silent communication.

Inuyasha spoke for both of them. "We'll take care of it. Anything specific we should know?"

Aiko nodded an affirmative, "You will be the first to be attacked. It's imperative that you keep them distracted for as long as possible. The longer it takes Gogenmaru to uncover the fact that we now his plan the better. I should think a little flash would be in order." This last statement was accompanied with a knowing grin. Inuyasha had considerable strength, and while it had been tempered and honed by skill in recent years, he was still the flashiest fighter she knew.

Inuyasha answered her grin with a confident fanged smirk of his own. "Not a problem."

With the south and east taken care of it was easy to split the group up from there. Daichi and Kotoko agreed to defend the north. They would have volunteered for the position if the outcome had been any different. Daichi certainly wouldn't have entrusted protection of his territory to any other demon.

"Lord Sesshomaru and I will travel west." At this statement, Aiko looked at the great dog demon and addressed him directly. "You know that land and what it holds better than anyone and the trees will be able to tell me more about what Gogenmaru is looking for as his plan progresses."

Sesshomaru "hn'ed" in agreement. It made perfect sense, he decided. Her gaze held his: almost although she were looking for something deeper than his consent. After a moment that their minds seemed to stretch out of proportion she must have found it because she pulled her attentions away to include the others.

"We need to do what we can to play along with Gogenmaru's little game for as long as possible. Since we still don't know what he's after we need him to use up his bag of tricks so we can get to the facts. The eastern group is his front. He's expecting resistance there, so we'll give it to him. I've thought about it and I believe a preemptive strike would tip the scales furthest in our favor. He would be expecting it, yes, but it would have the effect of lulling him into a false sense of security. He will relax - even if only slightly - when things go according to plan. He plans to strike there in three days time." Aiko looked at Inuyasha and Kagome, "Can you make it there before then?"

Kagome studied the map for a moment, judging the distance against their travel speed. "I think we could make it in two days if we push it."

Aiko thought for a moment. "Well, don't drive yourselves too hard. Better to get there a little later than to get there impaired." Kagome nodded and Inuyasha grunted in affirmation. Aiko shifted her attention to the rest of the group, "I'd like the north and south groups to take a slightly different approach. Gogenmaru isn't expecting resistance as immediately there. They've been put in place to keep us busy. Let him make the first move and then react. He should make his move on the heels of the eastern attack. I won't ask you to wait too long of course, I don't want anyone hurt. The fact that you will be defending your own territories without outside aid will affirm his belief that we didn't see him coming so as long as you don't attack first he shouldn't suspect anything." Koga, Daichi, and Kotoko each voiced their understanding and approval. " I need everyone in the north, south and east to remain in that area until they are sure Gogenmaru's troops are down for the count. Once you are absolutely certain the area is safe you can make your way west to join Lord Sesshomaru and I. I mean it: if that level of protection is never established, don't come. When and if you do come, make sure to contact one of us before you do anything. The situation is going to be fairly touch-and-go for a while and I'm not sure what will be happening. Does that make sense to everyone?" She hoped it did. This was the iffy part of the plan. She could send them out to fight and they would give their consent, but would they be fine with standing on the sidelines and not fighting, if it came to that? She could sense the inward struggles they fought and thought for a few moments that Inuyasha and Koga would protest but they settled down after another moment of contemplation and nodded their assent.

Kagome spoke up. "Do you really think that's best? You could be left vulnerable if Gogenmaru finds you out."

Aiko turned to her friend. "I've thought of that and my decision remains the same. I can contact you if the situation turns sour but you couldn't be called back east if Gogenmaru decided to surprise us. And I can't have my eyes on everything at once as I'll be focusing on the west." She paused for a moment, her brows furrowed, "My abilities do have their limits." Kagome looked like she wanted to argue, her mouth opened and closed several times before Inuyasha's hand on her shoulder stilled her. He looked up.

"I can't speak for everyone else here, Aiko; but I trust you. We asked you to come here because you're good at what you do. But don't you dare hesitate to call on us if you need help." His eyes were hard and stern. Aiko was humbled by the sincerity she found in those twin pools and had to fight back a few surprise tears. She knew that it was difficult for him to trust anyone because of his past; and yet he trusted her. Aiko nodded solemnly and right then and there decided for herself that she would live up to that trust.

"Is everyone fine with the plan as it is?" Aiko looked around and felt for any signs of doubt or hesitance in the group and –to her immense surprise and relief- found none whatsoever. Everyone had felt the impact of Inuyasha's statement. She suddenly had more trust to live up to.

CHAPTER END


Wow! Longer than the last one for sure. I love writing strategy stuff. I'm definitely not a strategist myself but it is so fun to write about. Lol I think it makes me feel smart or something.

In the next update we get out of the cave and begin our journey with Lord Fluffy. I've already started writing it and It's turning out very differently than I had first envisioned. Good different though. Here' a hint, it involves a rather miffed spider.

I love reviews. Reviews are my favorite.