DISCLAIMER: I will never collect enough box tops to own it.
AN: I'm back from the dead! Gomen for leaving you so long but when life decides to throw you a curve it goes all out. Quick run down of the last 5 months of my life. I moved from my home in Michigan with my boyfriend of 5 years, quitting my job, to live in Ohio near his family and one of my friends from college. After the unpacking etc etc my great-grandmother died and my family had to help my grandfather (who was taking care of his mum) to re-acclimate to living alone. After that I found a new job and my parents sold their home in Michigan to retire in Arkansas. I got engaged and began planning my wedding. Shortly after this my bf and I began having problems. The problem turned out to be another woman (who I didn't know existed). It all ended in a horrible soap opera like debacle where my MOTHER (who came up to visit) caught them together. Needless to say the engagement was broken off and I had the choice of either moving to Arkansas with my parents and quitting my job AGAIN or moving in with a friend. So I moved in with my friend until I could find my own apartment. Thankfully that only took a couple months and today my internet got hooked up to my brand new home. Hurray for going through hell and finding stability! So sorry for leaving you guys hanging. On with the show!
Chapter 12:
Footing the Bill
Green eyes watched fat drops of sweat roll down the Eastern Lord's brow. Lord Ryota had never been a male for battle. He preferred to allow his warriors to do that...away from the castle. Haruki kept his ears on the young hawk demon giving the report while allowing his gaze to slip over the other beings in the room.
Hidden half behind the falcon Lord's bulging stomach was his General, a muscular youkai by the name of Sadao. His fawn colored hair was tied back in a low ponytail that cascaded over his left shoulder. To the Lord's left his only son Yuu, the equivalent of five human years old, sat swinging his feet obviously bored with the adults prattling. Haruki shot the youth a crooked grin and playful wink when they locked eyes.
Oh, how he missed his girls, and his mate. A few lecherous thoughts about his and Rin's reunion sprung to mind but he brushed them aside. He'd have to get out of this Kami forsaken territory first, and if what the scout was reporting was true, it would take awhile.
At the scout's mention of Edo Haruki's ears perked up. His mate had friends living in Edo. She had been begging him to see them on their way back before he got sucked into discussing tactics with the Eastern Lord. It had been impossible for her to go without him with so much turbulence in the countryside.
Thin and reedy, the hawk youkai's tone grew more animated as he recounted the tale of a battle between four humans, one hanyou, a fire-cat, and a large chunk of Naboru's army. "There are rumors that Lord Sesshomaru was present," he finished gesturing wildly.
Lord Ryota brushed off the gossip but Haruki made a promise to himself to catch the scout later for a chat. It was rather difficult to accept the Western Lord had helped a human settlement, but the mention of a hanyou struck a familiar chord.
He cast another glance around the table, taking note of how woefully short it was on males. In the previous Lord's time the room would not have been big enough to hold everyone, but the Eastern kingdom had fallen on hard times. Once Ryota had taken over the males in the family had begun dying. Between horribly coordinated battles and disloyal soldiers seeking the throne, Ryota and Yuu were the only ones left. It was sad to see the once great line whittled down as it was.
"...everything in their path. They fire the villages once they leave them. Survivors have been sparse." The scout finished.
Haruki took in the way Lord Ryota's belly shook and deduced the falcon was jiggling his leg under the table.
"You say they are headed here?" Ryota asked.
A grim nod was his answer. "Yes, my Lord. In a direct line, burning and pillaging as they go."
"Hmm," the falcon Lord mumbled, "I see." He waved in a sign of dismissal and the scout bowed out of the room. The panther youkai did not miss the troubled frown etched Ryota's face. "I believe it is time for the mid-day meal. Let us all absorb this new information and reconvene after we eat."
Mumbles of agreement were heard before the Lord took his leave of the chamber. Haruki sighed and stood, stretching his legs and tail gratefully. He'd been perched on that tacky gold embroidered cushion for the whole of the morning. Bowing to the General and ruffling Yuu's hair, he stepped into the hall.
So the Southern Lord was bringing the fight to them. Obviously Naboru knew of the Eastern Lord's proclivity towards cowardice. This would cause problems. Haruki cast a discreet glare towards Lord Ryota's bulbous backside as it disappeared into the dining hall. Food over tactics, and while his people were being systematically exterminated; Haruki would never understand how some held onto power.
Halfway to the dining area a soft voice caught his attention. The Lord's niece, Izanami, stood in the alcove draped heavily in the fine silk garbs of her station. She was a pretty thing, tall and curvy. Her mixed Inu-falcon heritage had blessed her with what Haruki considered to be unique coloring. The vibrant gold and rich blacks often found in Inu youkai blended with earthy shades of red. Despite her beauty she had nothing on his Rin.
"Haruki-san, is it true what the guards are saying?" She asked in a small, frightened voice.
Dropping into the speech of court he politely took her hand and lead her to a stone bench in the hallway. "What do they speak of my Lady?"
Her voice was a tremulous whisper, "that the Southern army grows ever nearer."
The panther youkai nodded, patting her hand in a reassuring manner. "Do not fret my Lady. The citadel is guarded well and should the need arise you will be spirited away to safer lodging while we poor soldiers slay the enemy," he said with a humorous lilt and feigned pout.
She giggled a bit at his antics before her eyes suddenly widened. "Oh!" Izanami blushed faintly and pulled a scroll from the sleeve of her kimono. "A messenger from the West delivered this just after you entered the meeting hall this morning."
Haruki accepted the bound scroll emblazoned with the crescent seal while bowing. Something about the demoness handling his mail unnerved him but he brushed it aside. It was not unusual for her to receive the various messages while her uncle and cousin were otherwise occupied. He stuffed the missive into an inner pouch of his haori for later perusal. "Thank you my Lady. I must take my leave of you now."
He waited for her to bow and then turned back toward the dining room. Floating into the corridor the savory smell of roasted boar made his mouth water. Haruki gave a self depreciating grin. His mate was right, Akitsuki took after him.
In the hallway he left behind a lithe demoness with sly bronze eyes.
XXX
With much grumbling, and one houshi piggyback ride, Koga and the group made their way to the valley of the wolf den. Miroku was still flushing in embarrassment when he helped Sango maneuver an unconscious Kagome off of Kirara's back. They laid the miko down on her sleeping bag in a field a few yards from the entrance to the cave. All the while Inuyasha continued to hoot about how much he wished he had Kagome's 'camera.'
Twin cries of "Mama," rang through the air before Rin was tackled by her children.
Furiously wiping tears from her eyes Rin fell into the typical mother dialogue. "Are you all right? Let me look at you."
"We're fine mama," Sayuri chirped happily as she was spun around for her mother's scrutiny.
"I'm a little tired," Akitsuki grumped.
Sango turned her attention from the scene to the still pale face of her friend, biting her lip. "Miroku, do you think she'll be all right?"
The monk leaned in and gently kissed his wife, sucking softly on the abused flesh. "Lady Kagome will be well. Allow one or two days to pass and she shall return to accepting sparring challenges with Inuyasha." From somewhere behind him the hanyou gave a soft snort.
The atmosphere, despite the circumstances, was cheerful. Small knots of conversation formed while the group became acclimated to its new members. Around them a few of the pack's wolves meandered, sniffing interestedly and receiving loving pats whenever they passed by Sayuri.
"...and it was sooo revolting," Sayuri's voice rang.
Akitsuki snickered and then added, "not as revolting as the berries." The elder hanyou perked up and elbowed her sister in the ribs. "Tell her Ri."
Sayuri took a moment to fiddle with the furry leg of her pants, a gift courtesy of Ginta.
Rin kneeled down in front of her youngest and resisted burying her nose in the child's hair. She could not stop touching them, as if without her hand on them they would cease to be. "Tell me what Sayuri?"
Green eyes were downcast when she answered. "I took first blood."
Instead of the proud crow she had been expecting the hanyou's chin was caught in her mother's stiff, yet gentle grip, and tilted upwards. When she finally looked into her mother's face there was an understanding smile there.
In many ways her youngest child reminded Rin of Kagome. Oh the miko had changed much over the years, becoming harder to the violence of their time but her core nature remained unchanged. It was the sense of value for all life, with the willingness to kill for those you loved, that Rin found herself proud of learning from the miko and passing to her daughter. "You've done well Sayuri. I know that you did not like it but you did well. You defended yourself and your sister. Never regret that." The young panther hanyou nodded.
A groan came from the waking miko effectively stalling all conversation around her. Blue eyes cracked open to see an equally blue sky. 'Am I dreaming again?' She questioned her muddled brain. Sayuri's head popped into view when Kagome made to sit up.
"Don't move," the half-demon said, gently resting her hand on the miko's uninjured shoulder. "I wanted to thank you. Without this," her hand clasped the talisman around her neck, "we wouldn't have survived."
Rin burst into tears at her youngest daughter's quiet words, moving forward to hug the girl from behind and whispering her thanks to the miko repeatedly. Kagome cast Rin a small smile. "Any time."
"Kagome?"
The miko looked straight up into the clearest pair of ice-blue eyes she'd ever known. 'How could I have not known who those eyes belonged to?' She wondered. "Hello Koga." Kagome didn't need to see his mouth to see his grin.
"That's enough wolf-breath." Inuyasha groused from somewhere in her peripheral vision.
Before a full out fight could blossom Shippo interjected. "Uh Sango. You might want to change her bandages. I think she got jostled a bit on the way here and is still bleeding." The words had the desired effect and within moments the wolf and hanyou had retreated to opposite corners of the field like boxers in a ring.
XXX
Night descended slowly on the valley of the wolf den. What normally would have been left to shadows was now lit with torches in deference to their human guests. The orange glows danced over crags in the rocks.
Kagome sat propped against a boulder with Miroku at her right. A prolonged silence followed after the monk informed Kagome of Rin's explanations for the demon Lord's actions.
Not all of details fit in the miko's mind. If she had been dealing with Sesshomaru's most basic nature he still should have known who was friend and who was foe. Although, Kagome closed her eyes wearily, she had broken a cardinal rule; never get between a predator and their prey. The situation had been unavoidable however.
She'd read enough and seen enough to know that they would all have to be together to face the inevitable battle with Naboru. Some sixth sense niggled at her, whispering about the pivotal nature of the Western Lands. The ruler of which was currently running wild throughout the Northern forests. That would have to be their first move; retrieve the Western Lord.
Miroku broke through her musings. "What was it like?" He asked finally.
Kagome blinked at the monk. "What? Fighting Sesshomaru?" He nodded. A thoughtful pout formed on her lips. "Well, it's something I never want to do again. He was just playing with me, Miroku, and he almost killed me." She shivered lightly in remembrance. "You know I used to think back on those times when he would fight Inuyasha for the Tessaiga and wonder how much restraint he was using, because it was obvious he was. Now I know how much. A lot." The quiet of the night once again fell between them as both monk and miko contemplated the terrible strength of the Western Lord.
"When we arrived," the monk said in a low conspiratorial voice, "the strength of his youki nearly caused me to fall unconscious."
Kagome hummed in acknowledgment. "I know what you mean, but even then he had calmed down some. When we were fighting, his blows to my barriers felt like they rattled my bones. It was a little scary."
Miroku's shoulders jerked suspiciously.
"What are you laughing at?"
He grinned as he turned back to the miko. "Do you not think the description 'a little scary' may be misleading to those who wish to battle their own daiyoukai?"
She swatted his arm playfully. "Who in their right mind would want to do that?!" Miroku continued to chortle but Kagome suddenly became somber. "You know he told me that I died."
"What?" The monk jolted in surprise at the sudden change in topic. "When?"
"When I made my wish on the Shikon no Tama. He said that I died."
Miroku's face scrunched in confusion. "But then how..."
She shook her head. "I don't know, but he doesn't lie. And as he says," Kagome dropped into her best Sesshomaru impression, "'this Sesshomaru does not make mistakes.'"
A soft tinkle of chimes sounded as Miroku shifted, his lips pursed in thought. It truly was not an unusual idea for the miko beside him to be brought back to life. They had seen such resurrections several times during their travels. Before he could tell her such twin cobalt orbs pinned him.
"I've been hearing a voice," she said it quickly, and as if she were afraid he would laugh. When his face remained smooth and contemplative she continued. "When I woke up the morning of the attack on Edo. I also heard it before I started traveling to where Ship and I met up with Rin's girls, and then again this morning. It woke me from a dream I had about what happened with Sesshomaru."
"Really?" It was not a skeptical tone of voice, but instead a pensive one.
Kagome nodded. "Of course the dream was so vague I didn't know what it was about until I woke up here after the fight." She scowled momentarily in frustration before continuing, "Sesshomaru can hear it too." This comment received a quick spike in awareness from the monk. "He said that it's a presence. That it's the jewel."
"Giving you warnings?" Miroku watched Sango and Kikyo walk toward them with a few spits of cooked meat.
She chewed her lower lip. "More like directions, but yeah."
"Interesting." A look of disquiet flitted across his face. "Perhaps we should discuss this with Lady Kikyo. After all she does possess extensive knowledge of the jewel."
Kagome could have smacked herself. 'Duh!' Shaking away the self recrimination she nodded. "I think that's a good idea Miroku."
"You're telling Miroku something he said is a good idea?" Sango teased.
"But my dearest Sango.." He was cut off when one of the spits of meat was stuck in his mouth. The monk grumbled around it a bit before taking a bite.
Kikyo and Sango sat down, creating a small circle of humans in the midst of the wolf encampment. Taking the proffered meat with her good arm Kagome began recounting her tale. When it was over the two additions to their discussion were silent.
Kagome looked from one to the other noting the wary expressions both wore. Whatever they were thinking couldn't bode well. "Any ideas?" She asked timidly.
A soft whiz went by Kagome's ear before Sango slapped her neck. "What?" The taijiya mumbled. She peered into her palm before holding out her hand to reveal a flattened Myoga.
Kagome felt her jaw drop. After a moment of sputtering she found her voice. "Where you on me the whole time?"
"Yes my Lady."
The miko growled at the term, but soon tapered off in the face of the impossible. "Through the fight with Sesshomaru and everything?" Her voice rose in incredulity.
"Indeed. I was much safer on you."
'Wow,' she thought. 'Who would've believed the little flea thought I had a chance against the great Sesshomaru?' She scowled. 'Or maybe he thought he wouldn't be noticed on my cooling corpse.'
"Now I believe I may be of some help." The little flea perched himself importantly in Sango's palm.
Kagome rolled her eyes. 'Leave it to the flea. I swear he's like Basil Exposition.'
"Have you considered that the jewel may be protecting you?" Myoga asked.
The question snapped the younger miko out of her sarcastic thoughts. "But, the jewel doesn't exist anymore. At least that's what Kaede said."
Myoga crossed the bottom set of his arms. "She would be correct, but its energy was absorbed into you Lady Kagome."
It was Kikyo who spoke up next. "The Shikon has never before protected its guardians." Her tone was a bit bitter.
"Yes," Sango added. "In fact my father often said that the protectors of the jewel fell victim to it in one way or another. It was one of the reasons it had such a horrible reputation among individuals with holy powers."
"Indeed," Myoga conceded "that would also be true. However, no other being has accomplished what Lady Kagome has. She freed the souls trapped inside the Tama and dissolved its evil from this world."
Kagome's face, she was sure, was painted in utter confusion. "So what's inside of me?"
The elderly youkai huffed at the group's lack of insight. "Why the pure power of course!"
"You know," Kagome tapped her chin becoming impatient with the flea's round about answers. Was this why Inuyasha squashed him all the time? "We already knew the residual power of the jewel was absorbed into me-"
"Right again Lady Kagome." Myoga cheered cutting her off mid-sentence, oblivious to the many eye rolls around him. "Power like that would heighten your natural abilities, much like you demonstrated this afternoon. No normal miko could hold up half as well as you did against a daiyoukai like Lord Sesshomaru."
"So," Kagome drawled determined to steer the conversation back onto a productive route. "If all the souls have been freed what's the power made out of that it can try to protect me? Why the voice, and why can Sesshomaru hear it to?"
"Well," Myoga scratched his bald head in thought. "It is possible that any youkai strong enough to sense it can also hear its consciousness."
"Wait, what?" The younger miko sputtered.
"Consciousness, Myoga?" Miroku questioned.
"Of course. Do you think a powerful magical artifact like the Shikon no Tama would be devoid of will?"
Kagome's words came out in a breathless squeak. "What?" She leaned forward pinning the flea with a calculating glare. "But Myoga, you said that all the souls in the jewel were released. How can the remnant of a soulless jewel have a will?"
"Calm down Lady Kagome. Indeed they were, but the Shikon was created by the combination of incredibly strong youki and reiki." Myoga paced across Sango's palm agitatedly. "The youki was purified but the spiritual power remained. The jewel's consciousness is akin to the swords Tessaiga and Tenseiga. Both were molded from the spiritual essence of the Inu no Tashio but when the power was separated from the soul that housed it the energy gained its own will." He shrugged. "I suspect you will only hear the Shikon's call until you fully assimilate the power. Then it will cease to be overt and manifest in a subtler manner, such as intuition, dreams."
"But I'm already having those," the frustrated miko cried. "And what do you mean fully assimilate? It's been inside me for fifty years. Isn't that enough time?"
"Apparently not," the flea answered. "Remember Lord Sesshomaru and the Tenseiga." Each person in the circle took a moment to think and then nod in understanding. "The only other reason for you to be hearing the call now, if the jewel has fully merged with you, would be extraordinary circumstances," Myoga finished.
Something about that deduction made Kagome's skin crawl. How long ago was it that she had warned Sango something was coming? Two nights? The taijiya must have been thinking along the same lines because suddenly Kagome was hit with the full weight of her cinnamon eyes.
Noting the sudden silence Myoga continued on, changing the subject as he went. "With Lord Sesshomaru in his current condition and the threat of an attack imminent, someone must go to the Palace Moon to inform those in command."
Everyone's gaze turned to the flea. "Who is in command now?" Kikyo wondered aloud.
"That would be Rin's eldest Katsuro, General Isamu, and Master Inuyasha," he answered, ticking the names off on the fingers of one of his hands.
"Wow," Sango breathed. "I never expected Inuyasha to be a second in command."
"Yes, despite their differences the West is the domain of Inu no Tashio and his family. Should one fall, the other must take his place. Your son," he addressed Kikyo, "Jun'Ichi must help as well."
"Why don't you go back?" Kagome asked.
"I must follow after Lord Sesshomaru."
She nodded in understanding swiftly formulating a plan. "All right," she made a sad attempt at a clap and groaned when the muscles of her shoulder stretched. "Where's Inuyasha and Rin?"
"I'll go get Rin," Sango volunteered.
"I shall retrieve my mate," Kikyo stated, standing.
Myoga made to jump away when he found himself wrapped in Kagome's small fist. She pulled him up to her face. "I'm going with you and we'll leave in the morning." He started to protest. "I'll be good as new in the morning so don't worry. Plus, I can move a lot faster than you can," she finished in a chiding tone. The flea nodded and settled back down into the warmth of her haori.
Miroku turned toward her. "I shall accompany you. Inuyasha must return to the palace and it would not do for you to approach Lord Sesshomaru alone."
Kagome smiled warmly at him hearing the truth in his words. "Of course. Thank you Miroku." She gave him a one armed hug and he chuckled, returning the gesture. It felt nice and it wasn't until that moment that he realized how acutely he had missed her presence. No, not merely her presence but the simple interaction without the wall of guilt held between them.
"Oi! What the hell is going on?"
The younger miko blew out a sigh, and then closed her eyes when she saw who was following behind the inu hanyou like a lost puppy, or in his case, wolf.
"Sit down Inuyasha." Even after fifty years he still cringed. Koga plopped down beside Kagome.
"What the hell is he doing here?" The hanyou griped, taking his place next to his mate and glaring at the ookami.
Kikyo reached out and deftly boxed his ears. "Be quiet Inuyasha." He made a face, but shut up.
Deciding that if she was going to be healed by morning she needed rest, Kagome left it to the others to explain the situation. Scooting around the side of the boulder behind her she freed a tightly rolled sleeping mat and blanket from her satchel. A practiced flip of her wrist and her humble bed was prepared. She crawled under her blanket and rolled onto her back. The soft voices from her companions floated back to her, occasionally followed by the gruff barks of Inuyasha and low rumbles of Koga.
Shippo had wandered over sometime after the discussion had begun, having had to first escape the grasp of Akitsuki. Kagome noticed that her kit did not speak much while in such a large company. Not that she could blame him. It was awkward being around her friends again.
With a jolt the miko realized the full impact of her decision to distance herself from her feudal family over the years. It reflected glaringly in her son. She had raised him that way; nomadic and uncomfortable in a group. Never before had she questioned his choice to stay with her while she wandered the countryside. Of course he hadn't considered it. She was his mother and they'd begun traveling when he was little more than kit. A heavy sigh escaped her.
It seemed she had much to answer for. The saying was true then; the road to hell was paved with good intentions. But if there was one thing Kagome was an expert at it was correcting her mistakes. She just wondered when her karmic bill would be paid.
Rest. Her body needed it. So much exertion in such a short time had drained her. Kagome's thoughts spiraled towards sleep as her son finally joined in the conversation, a lilting laugh spilling from his throat. She smiled. It reminded her of old times, Ramen, and home.
XXX
Despite her claims that she would be well in the morning Kagome was surprised when it was so. The first few rays of sunlight that leaked into the valley met a miko who was once again fully healed and re-energized. If not a little bit stressed by recent events.
Her back popped as she stretched, her eyes ghosting over the play of shadows along the rocky cliffs and the puffy white clouds hovering above them in appreciation. Moving into the cave the soothing rush of the waterfall sounded behind her while she slipped into yet another fighting outfit. This one a silver toned shirt and wide forest green sash.
Popping her head out of the den she met with Sango loading Kirara. "So, who's going with whom?" Kagome questioned idly.
"Well, it seems Sesshomaru went in the direction of the Northern Citadel and since Koga is the son of the Northern Lord..."
"Oh man.." Kagome groaned knowing where the conversation was going and not liking it.
The taijiya doubled over with laugher. "Yeah, that's what I did too." When her mirth died down she continued. "He's going to go with you, Miroku, and Myoga. According to him it'll take you about a day to reach the castle." The sounds of an argument could be heard from across the field. "Inuyasha, Kikyo, Shippo, and I are going with Rin and her girls. As you can tell, Inuyasha is not happy."
"He's not the only one," Kagome grumbled. A thud was heard and then Kikyo's shouting. "She must be really mad. She usually doesn't shout," the younger miko observed.
"Yeah well, you and Koga alone." Sango shot her a sly glance.
The miko huffed. "Hardly, we'll have your perverted husband with us."
Sango gave a soft smile. "Keep him in line will you?"
"Of course. A few knocks to the head right?"
They giggled before Sango swooped in for an unexpected hug, still mindful of the miko's shoulder even though it had healed. "I've missed this."
Kagome petted the taijiya's hair and whispered, "so have I. Be safe sister." She watched Sango hop on a transformed Kirara and fly to the mouth of the valley where the rest of her group stood waiting. Akitsuki and Sayuri waved madly once they climbed atop the fire-cat. Inuyasha gave one last look back, before Kikyo bopped him on the head and the group started down the mountain toward the West.
A warm breeze wrapped around Kagome while her friends disappeared beyond the bend. She closed her eyes and sent up a silent prayer for their safety.
"Well, I suppose it is time for us to depart." Miroku spoke from just behind her. Kagome turned, grinning at the picture he made with the large brown traveling pouch slung over his shoulder.
"I guess so." She picked up her own bag and slung it on her back as Koga approached.
"So, we're chasing down a rabid mutt," Koga groused. "Figures."
"You could've gone with Inuyasha," Kagome sang.
The wolf snorted and then mumbled something crude under his breath. "Are you sure you can keep up? I can carry you."
A smirk settled on the miko's lips, her mood lifting despite the last night's revelations. "Absolutely. Just point me in the right direction."
Koga raised an arm and pointed North. When he lowered it and looked back over to where Kagome had been standing she was gone.
"Come on," Miroku called from a few yards behind the rapidly disappearing miko.
With a wolfish grin Koga raced after them.
XXX
AN:
Indigo: Well, the companions have reunited only to split again. What will our separate groups encounter on their journeys? What will Haruki discover when he opens the scroll? How will Inuyasha take up the mantle of leader of the Western Lands? What will Sesshomaru do when he finds out? Tune in next- Ouch!
Kagome: ::holds pan threateningly over Indigo's head::
Indigo: Kagome? I would've expected something like this from Inuyasha but you?
Kagome: You left me alone in the woods with a hentai, an overly possessive wolf, and a parasite. Not to mention I'm bound to come across a even more homicidal than usual Sesshomaru. What where you THINKING!?
Indigo: ::scratches head:: Uhh...it was the muse?
Muse: ::walks in calmly eating a powdered doughnut:: ...?...
Kagome: She blamed you for my predicament.
Muse: ::glares::
Inuyasha: I think you just broke the cardinal rule Indi. Never piss off your muse.
Indigo: Uh oh.
The muse commands you to review! Please?
PREVIEW!
Chapter 13:
To Be a Lord
At the bottom the thick metal lock on the door gave way under her practiced motions. Jun stepped through the opening to be greeted with the sound of water dripping from somewhere overhead. She wrinkled her nose at the scent of mold and waste that permeated the air. A narrow shaft of light from the end of the hall reached through the dungeon to illuminate the grime encrusted bars of the last cell. A man, with the appearance of a twenty year old, sat slumped against a wall within.
Jun bustled over to the cell, her movements gaining the emaciated male's attention.
"What do you want?" His voice was rough with disuse and his features shadowed with facial hair which had been left to grow for years.
Jun felt her mouth grow dry. The male's eyes glittered with dislike and she knew she would have to find some way to convince him to cooperate. "Kohaku, I've come to free you."