Kagome's Tale or Kagome's Tail?
Chapter 16: A Plan Formulates
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It was shortly after daybreak when Kagome walked through the front courtyard. She hadn't been able to go back to sleep because of the conference being so close. Kagome was about to reach her destination, the training grounds, when she noticed Makana sitting on the ground amongst the flowers. Kagome inched towards the Eastern princess, hoping she could appear undetected. However, the plan was foiled when Kagome stepped on a stick, causing it to snap loudly. Makana whipped her head around to face the source of the sound. She frowned deeply when she saw Kagome.
"What are you doing here, Lady Kagome?" asked the younger demon angrily. Her greenish eyes were puffy and red and her normally perfect red hair was messy and matted. She looked so incredibly sad.
"I am allowed to walk on my grounds, Lady Makana. I should be directing the same question towards you," responded Kagome politely. She sighed a little when she noticed a golden locket in her hand. "What ails you? Who cause you such sadness?"
"The son of the North, Lord Souta! He does not remember that I was promised to him!" Makana let out a sob as she brought the locket to her heart.
"Lady Makana, you and my brother were promised at infancy. He is just now learning about all of the politics of being a demon prince. Be patient with him. He will come around." Kagome hesitantly placed a clawed hand on the younger demon's shoulder.
"That helps greatly, Lady Kagome. You are very kind-hearted." Makana covered Kagome's hand with her own. "You are not as awful as my mother and father stated."
Kagome chuckled nervously at Makana's last comment. "Well, I would like to believe I am a kind person. Also, please just call me Kagome. I do not like having a title." Kagome squeezed the kitsune's shoulder and removed her hand. "Why are you awake so early, Lady Makana?"
"Just Makana. I was just enjoying the gardens. The ice flowers do not grow in the Eastern Lands because of the heat. What are you doing up at this hour?" The kitsune held a flower in her hand. It wasn't an ordinary flower though. The entire plant was made of ice. Although, when Makana's warm hand was wrapped around its stem, it didn't melt.
"I could not sleep. The conference is in a few hours and I know that my brother and I are a topic. It is highly unnerving." Kagome picked an ice flower and sniffed it. She loved the flower's scent because it smelled of apples and cinnamon. Of course, she was the only person who smelled that. Her father had told her that the flower smelled differently for everyone, normally what attracted that person most. For example, Keago smelled citrus fruits.
"Makana! Do not associate with this wretched abomination!" shouted an angry male voice.
Kagome and Makana turned to see a large, muscular fox demon. He had emerald eyes and deep auburn hair accenting his flawless features. His attire was royal blue and modeled like Sesshomaru's. His yellow markings were bright against his sun-kissed skin but the most noticeable was the bright orange sun in the middle of his forehead, the symbol of the Eastern Kingdom.
"Father! You should not speak to the Great Lord's daughter in such a manner!" exclaimed Makana with fury. She balled her hands into fists, forgetting she had the delicate ice flower. The flower shattered and melted once it hit the ground.
"Just because that Great dog is the the Great Lord does not mean I will not insult him." The Eastern Lord's eyes narrowed at his child's outburst.
"I beg your pardon, milord. I would highly advise you not to insult my father or me again. The consequences would prove to be dire," said Kagome in a deathly calm voice. Her eyes were glowing red and her inner demon was fighting to get out.
"Ladies Makana and Kagome! Lord Makumaru! Enjoying the crisp morning air?" shouted a familiar voice. Kagome turned to see Monk Bakutso walking towards them quickly. When he saw Kagome's red eyes, he frowned and placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "I was sent to retrieve you. Lord Keago would like to start the conference since you have arrived, Lord Makumaru."
"What of the others? What of the allies?" asked the kitsune lord.
"Kouga, Ayame, Shora, and Kaname have already arrived. They were here before you." Bakutso began to steer Kagome back towards the castle with Makana and Makumaru following close behind.
When the four reached the large oak doors of the conference room, Bakutso stopped. He knocked on the door three distinct times and waited. When it opened, they were greeted by the lords, ladies, allies, and Kagome's friends. Makumaru and Makana left the other two demons and joined Laenaya on the east side of the large table. Kagome headed to the head of the table and sat next to Keago.
Kagome looked around and saw the other lords and ladies glaring at Souta, Makana, and her. Feeling uncomfortable under their gazes, she decided to look at the four wolf demons that were occupying each corner of the room. She recognized the red-headed Ayame in the northeast corner and the black-haired Kouga in the southeast corner but the other two were unfamiliar. The one in the northwest corner had hair so blonde that it looked white. This male demon's eyes were an intense ice blue and Kagome could have sworn they were tinged with red. The one in the southwest corner had long chocolate brown hair that was pulled into a ponytail. This demon was female and her eyes were brown like her hair. Kagome liked her. Her eyes were soft and kind.
"Well, let us begin with role. We have little time to spend chatting. We will start with myself and go to the right. Understood?" said Keago, leaning back in his ornate chair. When everyone nodded, he sighed inwardly. "I am Lord Keago of the North and the Great Lord of all demons."
Souta swallowed and ran a shaking hand through his spiked black and white hair. "I'm Prince Souta of the North," he managed to say.
"I am Lord Makumaru, mate of Lady Laenaya of the East," said the kitsune male. His eyes were still glaring maliciously at the Northern heirs.
"I am Lady Laenaya of the East," said the older female kitsune coolly. She didn't seem too concerned with the presence of Kagome and Souta.
Kagome tuned out the rest of the introductions until the unfamiliar wolf demons' turns came up.
"I'm Kaname, pack leader of the southwestern wolf tribes. It is an honor to meet the heirs of the Northern and Eastern lands," said the female wolf demon with a bow.
"And I am Shora, pack leader of the northwestern wolf tribes," said the male one. His body language was disrespectful. His arms were crossed over his broad chest and his back was against the wall.
"Excellent! Now that everyone is acquainted, let us get started on our first topic which would be my heirs, Kagome and Souta. I know Shora and the Eastern royal family have concerns. Laenaya, would you care to start?" said Keago, his teal orbs on the Lady of the East.
"My concern is their blood," said Laenaya, her eyes now locked on the Northern heirs.
"What about their blood, Lady Laenaya? The fact that it is far superior to any of ours?" asked Sesshomaru with a sneer. He may not have been Kagome's mate but he was still going to defend her.
"Bite your tongue, Sesshomaru! Nobody cares what a pup has to say!" The Eastern Lady's greenish eyes turned red as her attention was placed on the youngest lord.
"I happen to care, Lady Laenaya. I care about everybody's opinion. Laenaya, Sesshomaru, I want you two to be civil towards each other. If we fight amongst ourselves then Saura will have an advantage. Now, my blood courses through their veins and that should be enough for you to accept them as the future rulers. Shora, what of your concerns?" said Lord Keago. It was clear that he didn't want to hear stupid complaints about bloodlines.
"My concerns are about future heirs. Eventually, the demon blood will have disappeared and to get right down to it, demons will be run by a human. Surely, you can't be okay with that," said Shora, his muscular arms crossed over his chest.
"If they have even a single drop of my blood then I am okay with a human running my kingdom." Keago's voice was dripping with irritation at the mention of his bloodline. "Now, if we are done talking about my bloodline, shall we formulate a plan to stop Saura?"
"What? You mean we don't have one yet?" asked Kouga, his fingers absently running over the scar Kagome had given him.
"No, wolf pup. If we had one then we would be executing it," said Teran with a smirk. Teran and Kouga were around the same age and have had issues with each other since Kouga became a packleader. The owl lord never missed a chance to insult the wolf.
"Shut it! Now strategies, think of some!" boomed the Northern Lord's voice. The chattering and arguing ceased immediately. "Now, I do not want to hear anything that does not pertain to the matter at hand. Any ideas?"
"My lord, allow my troops to lead the assault. Their aerial attacks will be more than a match for Saura and his small army," said Teran. He was desperate to get back on his friend's good side. Keago was a benevolent lord but he was a fierce commander. He was known for his tactics in wars.
"That is a definite possibility. The only issue would be Saura and Kono's shape-shifting abilities." Keago looked at the others and then at Shora. "Cousin, what of your thoughts? You always were a brilliant strategist."
"No matter the strategy, Saura has the advantage. Our best bet would be to eliminate all of his army. His army consists of demons with a thirst for Lady Kagome's blood as well as the fact that they have nothing to lose," replied Shora in a cold voice. Not only was it cold, but it was calculating.
"I figured as much. Any ideas on who should lead the assault?" Keago's head rested in one hand as he tried to think of a strategy. For some reason, he could not come up with one.
"Teran should lead from the air. That much is concrete. As for the ground assault, I can't say. I'm not familiar with Laenaya's army or Sesshomaru's for that matter. My safest suggestion would be your army, Keago, or have Ayame, Kaname, Kouga, and myself lead." Shora's blue eyes were fixed on Keago. He could sense that the lord's attention was elsewhere.
"Now wait just one minute, you flea bag! My army surpasses the Great Lord's and your packs of mongrels!" exclaimed Laenaya as she stood and slammed her fists on the table.
"Call me a flea bag again, Lady Laenaya, and you might not live until the battle!" Shora's eyes were fierce and red and his fangs were bared.
"Quiet!" shouted Keago again. "Laenaya, your army is based on stealth. You shall stand alongside my army. Sesshomaru, your army will be behind us. The wolf packs will stand behind him. Kagome, Souta, Kagome's friends, and Eera will be at the very back. Makana, I would like you to guard the palace with my guards and Monk Bakutso."
"May I have permission to speak?" asked Makana politely.
"Yes, young Makana, you may." Keago's ocean blue eyes looked in Makana's direction.
"Why am I guarding rather than fighting? No disrespect but my fighting ability far surpasses that of your son and daughter combined. I would be of better use on the battlefield."
"Yes, you surpass my children but that is why I want you at the palace. You would be of better use there because of your powers. Also, Souta requested it. He does not want you to get hurt."
"Thanks, Dad," mumbled Souta with a blush. The prince smiled when he saw that his future mate was blushing as well. He was slowly getting used to the fact that he was going to be marrying her.
"You are welcome, son. Shora, what do you think of this strategy that I placed on the table?"
"I am comfortable with that strategy. I can't predict a win but I can't predict a loss either," stated Shora. His eyes then turned to Kagome and Souta. "Princess Kagome, what are your thoughts? You have been silent this entire meeting. As have you, young lord."
"We trust our father's judgment. There was no need to speak," said Kagome quietly.
"I agree with my sister. My concerns are at ease," said Souta. His eyes refused to meet the wolf demon's icy orbs.
"My lord, if I may, I would like to bring up another pressing matter," said Kaname. Her soft and normally kind voice sounded so odd when she spoke seriously.
"Of course, Kaname. Although, I do not know what other matters must be discussed," said Keago politely.
"You." Kaname's brown eyes were fierce as she glared at the Northern Lord. The entire room was focused on Keago.
"Ah yes. The topic of my mate and I never dies but I am surprised to hear you bring it up, Kaname." Keago's look was puzzling. He was smiling like he had just heard a good joke.
"Kaname, save your breath. Wolves mate for life. You should know that, considering the fact that you are one," said Sesshomaru harshly. It was clear that he wanted to leave and not discuss an issue that also annoyed him.
"Thank you, Sesshomaru. Now, Saura's army will be here in six days so rest and train. This will be like no battle you have ever fought. This is a war. Dismissed," said Keago as he stood. He then left the room in silence.
The lords and ladies left the room, leaving Kagome, Souta, and Kagome's friends alone.
"Kagome, are you sure you want to fight?" asked Inuyasha cautiously. "No one would blame you if you backed down. Same goes for you, Souta."
"It is not open for discussion. I am not backing down," said Kagome. Her tone was harsh and final.
"I agree with Kagome. I want to help Dad and protect Kagome," said Souta. His tone was softer than his sister's but his friends could tell that he was just as serious.
"Okay. I just thought I'd ask," said Inuyasha quietly. He figured that would be the answer but might as well try.
"Look, we are tired and need our rest. All of us have been training non-stop," said Miroku, smiling slightly.
All of them agreed and went towards their chambers with the exception of Souta. He headed towards the central courtyard where a giant fountain of ice stood. Souta walked up to the fountain and stared into the water for the longest time.
"Scary, is it not?" asked a female voice. The sudden noise cause Souta to turn around and snarl at the source. His snarling, however, ceased when he saw that it was Lady Makana.
"Is what scary?" he replied with a question of his own.
"War, realizing who you truly are, responsibility. Take your pick." She walked up to him and sat down on the edge of the fountain.
"I suppose so. Kagome's been doing this for three years. I haven't been at this for two weeks and I'm already getting thrown into a full-fledged war. I can't even be trained properly. Koro said that my powers are that of an original spirit wolf. I use ice and water instead of poison and powers like my dad."
"Have Shora teach you. He has the ability to use water and ice. I am sure he will teach you if the Great Lord orders him." Makana grabbed Souta's hand and squeezed it in an attempt to comfort him.
"Shora isn't a spirit wolf, is he?" The young lord squeezed the princess's hand back before sitting next to her.
"Hai. He is Lord Keago's younger cousin. He is one of three with the powers of The Great Wolf Spirit. Shora, your grandfather, and you are the only three living ones. One is born every generation."
"My entire family is spirit wolves?" When Makana nodded, Souta sighed. "Wish Dad would have told me all this stuff."
"I am sure he had his reasons. He always does. However, I must bid you goodnight, dear prince. I have a lot to do tomorrow." As Makana stood, the young prince did as well. "Goodnight, young lord."
Makana started to walk away but Souta stopped her. "Lady Makana, I apologize for my actions when you told me about our 'engagement'. I've had a lot to process in this short time."
"I understand. Your sister explained everything. I just hope you'll warm up to the idea." The Eastern princess smiled at him gently.
"Maybe I already have." Souta pulled the princess to him and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
Makana wrapped her arms around Souta's neck and kissed him back. After a moment, they broke apart. Makana nuzzled her head in his neck and smiled. "I love you."
"I wish I could say that back but I'm not sure. All I know is that I have strong positive feelings for you." The two demons broke apart completely. Souta kissed her forehead and smiled. "Goodnight, Makana."
"Goodnight, Souta." The two demons then left the courtyard and went their separate ways.
Me: Sorry folks! Once I started writing, I couldn't find a good stopping point. Also, the chapter didn't go as planned again. I added a lot of info and stuff but it will help explain future occurences...maybe.
Inuyasha: You write too damn much! Plus, you cut out most of us!
Keago: Inuyasha, you must be patient.
Sesshomaru: Yes, little brother. Use what little manners you have.
(Inuyasha grumbles in a corner)
Me: Okay...well, sorry that it took so long again! This story is actually nearing its end so hopefully it will be done by 2012. Don't know when I'll update next but keep looking! Read and Review! Signed Vegetasgirl91