Hello faithful readers. I have to apologize yet again for being so late, but I have had a lot of tests and other assignments to deal with. I am thrilled by the continuing response to my story. Anyway this chapter will finally show something happen with Yamikura and the group's trip into the Imperial Lands, maybe. Everything is starting to come together now, soon. As I said before I am so happy about the strong positive responses. So I want to thank my reviewers. Special thanks to Kaihaku No Iroke. I really needed to do that scene so I am glad that you enjoyed it, but now we have to continue the storyline. I also want to thank PassionIsLove for telling me how I did on the last few chapters. You're right Inu did know that she was nearby; basically he told Kagome to stay, but she knew something was weird so she decided to find out. Of course then Inu couldn't go see what was going on with Kikyo without Kagome knowing. Lastly chica blanca; you are correct about what Kikyo was saying. Also I did not show Healo's thoughts about that statement because he basically ignored the statement. He understood that she only said that to try to cause tension between him and Inuyasha. Thanks for your compliments everybody. So this chapter will finally show the event with the sword. Plus will have two POV's start out as Healo and will switch to Kagome. Please review; I'm getting close to the 100 mark. Thanks.
CHAPTER XLIX
THE APPROACHING STORM
Healo's POV
The Northern Lord sighed as he watched the sun rise over the small camp. He had not slept during the night since he had been too distracted with his thoughts. His deep blue eyes closed slowly as he again pondered the undead miko's words. 'They are so different,' the demon lord thought when he glanced in Kagome's direction. Healo's eyes softened at the sight of the young woman resting in obvious contentment; she deserved to experience such peace. The miko turned slightly in an attempt to move away from the light that was slowly marching across the rolling hills; luckily she did not awake.
'Kagome has such strength and hope, but Kikyo has been drained; soon the fallen priestess will strike out; then I will be forced to kill her.' The decision brought the Northern Lord no satisfaction, but his eyes hardened despite his feeling of guilt. Healo had to protect those who were dear to him no matter how unpleasant the situation. 'Why would she come here? I cannot believe that it is sheer coincidence that I should run into Kikyo. How did she find out where we were?' These thoughts troubled the demon lord but he knew of no answer to these questions. Of one thing he was sure; someone had told the priestess where they were.
Healo's eyes narrowed as an idea came to him. Naraku; the maniacal hanyou would not hesitate to do something like that. Again though, why? Was it in the hopes that Kikyo would kill Inuyasha? The Northern Lord sighed as another possibility came to him, 'Perhaps Naraku means for me to kill the priestess; it is true that Yamikura tried to goad me into such an action.' The more the demon lord considered this possibility the more likely it seemed. Surely even Naraku would fear Kikyo's tremendous spiritual powers, and the cursed sword would absorb some of the darkness from the tainted priestess. Not to mention how Inuyasha would react to her death.
He smiled grimly; it was foolish of Naraku to think that he would be so impatient and dim-witted. Healo would make sure that the undead miko was not slain by his hand. The Northern Lord had no desire to create any more rifts in his already unsteady alliance. The demon lord frowned as he thought, 'Either way I must hurry. If not for fear of Inuyasha and Sesshomaru going at each other's throat then for Kagome's sake.' The young miko still had plenty of time before she would be forced to make a choice, but the demon lord did not wish to tempt fate.
Healo's gaze moved back to the young miko who was starting to wake up from the intense sunlight. A smile crept upon him when she uttered an annoyed groan and sat up stiffly. The Northern Lord had been both amused and concerned by the pace his younger half-brother had set, but now he found himself pressing the humans just as hard. 'It is just as well,' the demon lord thought, 'when the time comes to go after Naraku we won't be able to go at a leisurely pace.' Still he couldn't help but feel some compassion for her troubles and so he decided that they could afford to travel a little slower.
When they finally began to continue their journey back west several of the guards noticed the easier pace and glanced at their master. Healo only nodded in a reassuring manner and the demons turned their attention back to watching for threats. However, a certain hanyou seemed to be annoyed by their slow pace. Inuyasha frowned at his brother, but instead of speaking to the Northern Lord he turned on the young miko and said angrily, "Kagome hurry it up! Stop slowing us down; we need to get back so we can kill Naraku."
The demon lord sighed as the young woman retorted in annoyance, "Shut up! I can't walk any faster then this." The hanyou's claws clenched and his eyes narrowed slightly before he said stiffly, "Then I guess I'll have to carry you." Healo did not say anything but he groaned internally at Inuyasha's stupidity. The Northern Lord thought calmly to Kagome, "When Sesshomaru appears make sure that you aren't on Inuyasha's back." At first the miko gave off a sense of confusion over her friend's statement, but then understanding took its place.
Healo had no desire to see how the Western Lord would react to another male touching his mate-to-be. However, the day passed peacefully enough though the pace didn't leave much time to admire the beauty of their surroundings. The Southern Lands were well known for their flowing rivers and rolling hills, and if they had had the time the Northern Lord would have taken the time to admire nature. A stab of regret caused the demon lord to wince slightly as he took in the bright sunshine and softly waving grass; what he would give to find such peace.
It was not just the desire of forgetting his own troubles that caused him to want to just wait and enjoy the peaceful nature of the moment, but his demon nature as well. However, the demon lord knew that there was no time for such a delay; every moment of peace and relaxation he took was one more moment of pain and confusion for his son. Even Inuyasha was surprised as the Northern Lord redoubled his efforts though no one understood why. How could they know that in his mind he had seen once again a vision of Sulam bravely defying the taunts and barbs of Naraku? Was the devious hanyou playing with him; was he purposely showing the heir images of his son?
'Naraku, you will die by my hands; you will pay for the pain you've caused to me and to the rest of the world,' Healo thought savagely as he moved swiftly through the landscape. The demon lord was so caught up in his own thoughts of revenge that he did not notice the cursed sword when it pulsed slightly at his thoughts. However, the Northern Lord slowed quickly when he saw someone approaching them quickly from the south. He tensed for a moment until he noticed the silver shine coming off of one of two figures that were moving so swiftly that some of the others hadn't noticed them yet.
Cursing himself for not sensing the Western Lord sooner he thought calmly to Kagome, "Get off of Inuyasha immediately." Thankfully the miko obeyed without question and before the hanyou could ask what was going on Healo said coolly, "Inuyasha you will stay here with the others, do you understand? No matter what happens you must stay here." The hanyou's golden eyes flashed as he responded angrily, "I can go wherever I want." The Northern Lord's eyes widened as he said harshly, "You didn't heed my advice in the past why should you do so now? Stay here or your life will be in grave danger."
Surprisingly the defiance the hanyou had been expressing only a moment ago evaporated and was replaced with confusion and pain even though Inuyasha would sooner die then admit it. However, the demon lord turned away when he realized how bitter his words had been; everyone was watching him carefully, but he understood why. This was the second time that the normally calm and kind demon had snapped out at another, specifically, at his adopted brother. It was easy to see why his actions would confuse them, but Healo was grateful to feel some understanding coming off of the miko. Of course she didn't know that Yamikura was what had caused the outburst, she just assumed it had been caused by Inuyasha's habitual stubbornness, but it was comforting to the demon lord none the less.
As the Northern Lord made to intercept his obviously furious younger half brother, he realized that he would have to explain himself to Inuyasha. The half demon tried to pretend that nothing ever hurt him, but Healo knew that this wasn't true. However, before he could set the hanyou's mind to rest he had to make sure that Sesshomaru didn't kill him. Just as he reached the bottom of a gentle hill the Western Lord stopped about five feet away and the Northern Lord's fears were confirmed.
Sesshomaru's eyes were tinged red with the power of his demonic heritage, and his hand was clenched firmly on Tokujin. Magus stood behind him with a look of uncertainty on his face. However, before Healo could say anything the Western Lord asked fiercely, "How could you betray our traditions? Why have you allowed that half breed to touch my mate?" The demon lord felt a huge rush of rage at the words "my mate", but he, with difficulty, pushed it aside and answered coolly, "Inuyasha was only helping her so that we could move faster. It was not meant as an insult."
The Western Lord was silent for a moment then he glanced down at the sword at his brother's side and the red began to drain slowly from his eyes. At last only the cold amber remained as Sesshomaru stated coldly, "That is Yamikura." The Northern Lord was not surprised by the certainty in his brother's voice; everyone seemed to sense some strange energy coming off the cursed sword. Privately, Healo knew that even if he didn't know that it was the cursed sword his brother would still have spoken in a tone of certainty; that was just part of the Western Lord's persona.
The demon lord had to repress a smile as a memory came to him of happier days. Inutaisho had begun training Healo earlier than Sesshomaru both because he was older and also because he generally always received more attention from that great lord. However, his younger half brother decided that since his father wasn't ready to begin his training that the Northern Lord should. Healo had been so mad at his brother when he had been awakened before dawn only to be told, "It's day; now you will teach me." Sesshomaru had said this in the commanding tone he was notoriously well known for using. Still, the demon lord knew that he would give up many things just to have those days again.
However, Healo brought himself out of his thoughts and replied firmly, "Indeed it is. Now we finally have the ability to destroy Naraku." The Western Lord was quiet for a moment before moving forward and saying, "Come we need to leave this area." The Northern Lord silently moved beside him and asked softly, "What news from Lord Nelit?" Sesshomaru kept walking but responded coolly, "Naraku's spies have been pushed out of my territory, but the people are frightened. As soon as we meet the Regent will be returning to the Western Lands." The demon lord pressed firmly, "And what of Bianen? Have they begun to mobilize yet? Is Nelit going to come to our aid?"
The Western Lord smiled grimly and responded, "Your father-in-law has decided to help us; especially after I told him about your son's fate," Healo winced, but his brother pretended no to notice. He continued with a frown, "However, Bianen is starting to stir; his spies have already been spotted in the Valley of the Wolves and all along the Great River. He has even attempted to enter the mountains controlled by the Eastern Wolf Tribe." The Northern Lord frowned; the Eastern Wolves were led by their rash young leader Kouga, who also happened to be the wolf that was obsessed with his mate to be.
Healo sighed as he realized just how difficult and dangerous this war would be. Especially since their enemies were already prepared to fight, while it would take them at least a week to summon the forces necessary to begin the attack. Plus the Western Lands were surrounded on three sides by enemies; to the north Naraku, to the southeast Bianen, and to the south the panther demons. The Northern Lord was sure that they could win despite this; as long as all of the allies remained true to each other. Hopefully he could hold them together for just a little while longer...
I apologize for being so late and for not getting through what I wanted to, but the part with Sesshomaru grew bigger than I had thought it would be. I hope you all aren't too angry with me, but I have been extremely busy. So I hope to update within a week, but I may not be able to. Next chapter will definitely cover part with the sword and hopefully get the group back to the Imperial Lands. Please review since I am so close to 100. Thanks.