Hello everybody. I had my first day of work yesterday and it was exciting, but I didn't sit down the whole day and my back and knees are killing me! Still, it was sort of fun, I do stocking, even though my boss was going nuts because the district manager suddenly showed up. Anyway, wish I would have had at least another review but I am thankful for the one I received. Thanks to chica blanca; I really was aiming at showing Healo's actions from a different point of view, but I laughed the first time I read your review because I thought that you said he was becoming elfish. Anyway, this chapter will just be continuing the group's journey, and will also set up the beginning of an important chain-of-events. If I have time I will type the first chapter for the prequel and put it up tomorrow. Please Review.

CHAPTER XL

ALLOW IT TO RIPEN

Riath's POV

Three days after the departure of the Western Lord; the mole who had betrayed him was kneeling in a small clearing about three hours east from Ionin. It had been several months since Riath had seen his true master in person, but the young demon was not daunted by Naraku's menacing gaze. Fools would probably have named him a coward for betraying Sesshomaru for the maniacal hanyou, but this was obviously not the case. Soon the Northern Lands would know peace and prosperity again. The Western Lord had never made a decisive move for aiding the North, but even Healo had somewhat, in Riath's opinion, gave up his right to rule when he fled from his kingdom.

However, the young captain had not completely accepted the tainted ways of his new master, and this was reflected in his condition of safety for the Northern Lord and his son. Despite his choice of allies, Riath couldn't simply forget about Healo's kindness towards him and his broken family. Naraku had cynically accepted his new servant's plea, and so far he had made no move to contradict his original decision; or at least none that the young captain had heard any word of.

The said hanyou was standing about five feet away from his kneeling servant. His sinister eyes appeared to be peering into Riath's soul as he said smoothly ", You have something to tell me?" The young demon raised his head and said clearly ", Yes my lord. The heir and his party are away, they will have crossed the Great River sometime today. By tomorrow evening they will have arrived safely within the Ellios Mountains and be beyond attack."

Naraku smiled secretively and with an evil glint in his eyes said ", That is not your concern." Riath blinked and asked respectfully ", You are not planning to attack them, my lord? We may never see another opportunity this promising." The half-demons eyes darkened as he asked ", Are you questioning my judgment?" The young demon did not flinch, but his voice became more respectful as he answered ", Not at all my lord. I only wish to understand why we are not going to take advantage of their mistake."

His master stared at him coldly for a moment before responding ", How many guards did they take with them?" Riath was confused but answered ", Officially, several hundred, actually twenty." Naraku smiled and said with disdain ", Ah yes; Sesshomaru thought that he could convince me that he was going to take the main road. Is this not what he planned?" The captain nodded and replied ", Yes my lord, but as I told you he would, they never arrived to join the larger guard, but that was part of their plan. This way everyone still believes that they are with this large group in a well protected area."

The hanyou grinned and said ", There are several reasons why I have decided not to attack them while they travel to the mountains. First, I do not believe that there is enough time to summon a force strong enough to defeat them before they escape into the mountains." Riath frowned and said ", But they are traveling through the panthers' territory. They should be able to gather enough of their forces for the job." Naraku's voice was silky as he said ", You think so? The warriors that they took with them must be very powerful, but even if the guards were overcome I doubt that they could defeat Healo and his alliance."

Naraku paused then continued quietly ", Besides, there is a chance that either the heir or the miko could be damaged or killed during such a confrontation." Riath nodded in understanding, but his master took no notice and kept speaking ", I think that my own methods would serve better. The monk could be neutralized by my own insects, the demon slayer would also find a suitable distraction in her younger brother, but the most important piece to my plan was the increase of doubt and mistrust, if not hostility, within the alliance and between the brothers specifically."

The young demon paused as the first feeling of dread began to consume him. His master's tone had the frightening similarity to that of a predator that does not wish to alarm its prey. However, before the captain could speak Naraku said sharply ", There is no need to give me excuses for your failure. You had the chance to set Inuyasha, Healo, and Sesshomaru at each other's throats, but even if that were no longer possible, you should have ensured that either the hanyou or the Western Lord did not survive."

Riath found his voice again as he realized this would be his only chance ", My lord, you instructed me to do everything to ensure that Inuyasha left Ionin, but when the plot failed I did not know what else to do." Naraku's eyes narrowed as he responded in a calmer tone ", I wanted the hanyou to leave his friends so that Kikyo would be more likely to ensnare him, but when that failed you should have done everything to escalate the battle, but instead you allowed Kagome to interfere."

The mole responded strongly ", But I was afraid that the Northern Lord or Kagome would be killed if the battle were to continue, but surely this small setback cannot prevent your eventual victory." Some of the danger leaked out of the air as the hanyou responded smoothly ", Of course as I told you. I will allow the seeds that have been planted to ripen; the distrust and hatred to be inflamed, and in the end I will have everything I need to fulfill my own desires."

A pause followed this before Naraku spoke in a commanding tone ", One last step must be taken. Have you removed the troops from Ionin?" Riath nodded and answered ", Yes, I have convinced Jaken that they reason is the increase in raiding from the panther's and Bianen." The captain smiled and continued ", However, they do not realize that this is according to your own design, my lord." The nefarious hanyou grinned and said ", Good, we will wait a few more days; to ensure that they are unable to react properly, but then we will acquire the bait that will allow us to gain the advantage against this alliance."

Riath felt a rush of guilt at the plan, but he quickly smothered it as he said ", It is a brilliant plan, my lord. I will be held completely blameless, and will be able to continue to provide you with information on their plans." Naraku laughed and said with disdain ", Do not be absurd; you will not be able to remain in Ionin." The captain frowned as he said in confusion ", But, my lord, I thought that was the whole reason for my pretended service to the Western Lord."

His master shook his head slightly and answered softly ", Do you really think that Healo will not check EVERYONE'S mind after the fact? Besides, if it appears as if you are taken as well, we may be able to use you later." The mole didn't like it but he understood the point, and as long as he continued to be useful he would not have to fear as greatly for his life. It was a small comfort but more so than his master's final words ", You have your uses, Riath, but remember that you are not indispensable. If you ever wish to see your people free you need to realize that there will be sacrifices. Do not make me wonder about your capabilities, or your loyalty, again."

Riath nodded, stood, and slowly began to walk away. As soon as he left Naraku's sight, he began to run swiftly back towards Ionin and safety even though it wouldn't be safe for much longer. At least, it would soon become a nightmare for several of its occupants. Despite how hard he tried, the faces of several children, twisted in fright, haunted his vision. One in particular stared at him in understanding and betrayal still what could be done? To defy his master would mean death…

Kagome's POV

The young miko sighed as she looked at the mountains that seemed so close that she should be able to reach out and touch them. However, according to Magus, it would take almost all of the next day to reach the stony base of those granite heights. The scenery had been breathtaking, but Kagome's feet were about to rebel against her. She had done a great deal of walking in her travels with Inuyasha, but he was a half-demon and her fellow companions had been, for the most part, human. Traveling with pure demons was certainly a change of pace for the young woman from the future.

Still, she was giving occasional reprieves, thanks to the Northern Lord, but Kagome always looked forward to settling down just before the sun did. Now was such a moment, the suns last rays were beginning to drop under the limbs of trees far in to the company's west. The first shift, Miroku and four guards, would soon take up their positions around the small camp that had been purposely chosen because it rested at the top of a small hill. After two hours it would be Healo's turn, along with four other guards, then Sesshomarus, Magus's, and finally Inuyasha's. The first and the last made sense, Miroku was only human so the sooner he took his watch the better, and the half-demon loved the sunrise.

Kagome allowed herself to relax in her sleeping bag as she gazed up at the slowly darkening sky. Sure she was sore, but on the other hand, they hadn't run into any bandits or, specifically, panther demons. Having been confronted by them before, on more than one occasion, the miko had no desire to be ambushed by those felines. Still, she knew that there was nothing to worry about now; they were nearly to the mountains, and besides, her friends would never let anything happen to her.

The miko was so caught up in enjoying her lack of movement that she didn't notice the Northern Lord as he slowly approached her. Healo asked in an awed tone ", Do you mind if I sit with you?" Kagome glanced in surprise at her friend's sudden appearance, but he didn't seem to notice as his eyes were examining the slowly darkening sky. She answered softly ", I don't mind." The Northern Lord sat on a spot of grass to her left so that he was also watching the sky where the sun had just disappeared behind a dense forest.

A comfortable silence passed for several moments as they both absorbed the exact shades of the many colors. With a sigh of fulfillment Kagome said ", Isn't it beautiful?" Her friend seemed equally occupied with the sight above them, but his tone was quiet as he answered ", Yes…beautiful." The miko felt some slight embarrassment; she did not need to look to know that the Northern Lord had not been talking about the sky. Such slips and hidden compliments from three of the brothers had greatly increased since the beginning of their journey.

For Inuyasha, this took the form of what would normally not be considered compliments, but for him they were normally non-existent. He had not once said anything rude to Kagome; not even when she left the group to bathe, and the half-demon not only stopped demanding her to make his food, but once even made some for Kagome. The miko had caught the Western Lord staring at her on several occasions, and she knew that he was no longer annoyed by the rests that she occasionally needed. However, Healo was almost painfully obvious with his attention, and if it weren't so flattering Kagome knew she would be beginning to become annoyed by the attention…

So what do you all think? Did you get the thing with the chapter title? I was trying to be ironic because Naraku is trying to allow the distractions in the alliance to destroy it, but then I also had Kagome musing about the 'ripening' relationship between her and the brothers. Hope to hear from all of you. Again sorry that I was late but I will try to be on time next time. I promise to update by Friday evening, but I may not get to start the prequel after all. It all depends on your reviews. REVIEW!!!