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sunkissedkelsey : Awwh, thanks :) And don't worry about all the questions, I love 'em. 1) Yes, it will definitely be as happy an ending as I can make it. I love happy endings :). 2) That's a secret! :o Cliffy, you have to read on to find out. :). 3) If I answered that, it would ruin the ending :o. Can't do that now can I? It'll be good though.

Chapter 26 - The Calm before the Storm

It had been two days. They'd been travelling for two days and the result was that they could now see Sesshomaru's castle looming in the distance. The majestic dragons were going as fast as they could and the ground whizzed by far below.

At noon, the dragons landed and the crew dismounted. They all bowed their heads in respect and watched the dragons lift off.

As soon as they took to the skies, the group turned and wordlessly hurried in the direction of the Western Palace. They didn't have a second to lose.

Naraku sat alone in his chambers staring out the window. Everything looked as it should, the grass was green, the skies were blue and the leaves danced in the soft winds. Naraku smirked, this peace wouldn't last. After he defeated Sesshomaru and gained possession of the miko, the world would bend to his will.

Naraku watched as a small group of Saimyosho soared toward him. They stopped just inside his window and updated him on the situation.

Five minutes later, he knew everything that was going on. 'So… the dragons of the Earth Clan are helping Inu Yasha? Hmm. No matter. They will not fight; it would go against their values and disturb the balance. They couldn't risk that; it's their sacred duty to protect the balance. After I've defeated Sesshomaru, I will make the dragons suffer. I will conquer them as well. The legendary Hao and Yue are fighting… which means their sister Jin will no doubt be fighting as well. Hmm… I'll just have to take care of them first.'

Naraku sent the Saimyosho to call Kagura and Kanna to his chambers. Within minutes, he was prepping them. "Kagura, it seems that their forces might be stronger than we expected. You are to guide your wave to defeat most of the fighters first. Take care of Hao, Jin and Yue."

Kagura gasped, "Those three are going to be fighting?"

Naraku nodded solemnly.

"It'll take a lot more than what you're giving me to defeat them!"

Naraku eyed her, "If you are unable to defeat them, at least keep them distracted. I will handle Sesshomaru and after he's defeated, the rest will fall easily."

Kagura nodded and kept her head down. No need to show Naraku the treasonous expression on her face.

"Kanna, I'm going to let you decide when to attack. I want you to hide your whole force's demonic aura. When it looks like we need help or are in a situation where a victory is imminent, then you are to attack."

Kanna nodded submissively and murmured, "Yes Naraku-sama."

Kagura growled inwardly, Kanna made her look so bad.

"Go now and check to see that you and your forces are fully prepared," Naraku ordered.

As the demonesses left his room, he exited the room as well. Going down the opposite hallway, Naraku walked through his grounds. Everyone seemed ready to fight. Each and every human had his own horse and seemed eager to get going.

'Yes! Yes! We're ready to go! Now all we have to do is wait; two more days until the attack. We'll set out in the morning and reach by noon. Sesshomaru's castle will fall once and for all!'

From the corner of his eyes, Naraku noticed a nervous-looking group of men headed by a confident green-eyed teen. The teen was staring at him thoughtfully. He ignored it as pre-battle jitters. After all, what else could it be? His plan was too perfect to fail; and it wouldn't.

She hadn't seen him since they'd kissed.

Flashback

"Don't make me regret this."

Kagome stared into his deep golden eyes with a dark blush colouring her cheeks. He was staring her affectionately. His words hadn't been a threat; they'd been a plea. He looked at her seriously, this was no longer just play; this was war and if she wanted to fight, she had to stay alive.

Kagome nodded blankly. Her mind was fuzzy and not one coherent thought was present.

Sesshomaru smirked and gently moved a few stray strands of hair away from the human's flushed face. Footsteps sounded in the hallway and Sesshomaru remembered that he'd forgotten to lock the door. Looking back at the miko, he brushed his lips against hers and was gone.

Jin threw open the door to a blushing and flustered Kagome. She was alone. Jin smiled to herself; Sesshomaru's scent was all over her. A knowing smile spread across her perfect features. "Now that you're sure that he's okay, shall we continue training?"

End Flashback

"Kagome!"

"Huh?" Kagome train of thought was interrupted by Jin's impatient voice. She smiled sheepishly at Jin's irritation.

"That's the third time today! Care to tell me what's on your mind?"

Kagome flushed and shook her head vehemently, "No!" Jin wouldn't be happy knowing what her mind drifted to when she should be focussing on training.

Jin sighed. She already knew what—or rather who was on the girl's mind and she couldn't really blame her, especially after the incident two days ago. That night, Sesshomaru had approached her and told her what he'd told Kagome; that he was letting the human fight and therefore it was up to Jin to teach her everything she needed to know to survive the war. She couldn't do that if her pupil kept zoning out. If anything happened to the miko, it would be Jin's neck, no one else's.

"Listen Kagome, I know it's hard, but you must stay focussed. I have to teach you everything I can. I don't think you understand the enormity of all this… we're going to war in two days time! Now focus!"

Kagome cringed; she knew she was right… but it was just so hard to keep her thoughts away from a certain silver-haired lord. Suddenly, thoughts of school and learning about the Great War flashed through her mind and she cringed again. War was a horrible thing that resulted in nothing but mindless bloodshed, "Gomen… I'll focus."

Jin smiled, "Good," she went right back to teaching Kagome; they didn't have a minute to lose. Not if they wanted to win.

"Lord Sesshomaru! Lord Sesshomaru!"

Sesshomaru turned around and eyed whoever was calling him; it was Jaken. "What is it Jaken?"

The toad demon presented two scrolls and explained, "These just came for you."

Sesshomaru took the scrolls and asked, "Where's Rin?"

"She's with Kiome and Kiara."

Sesshomaru nodded and dismissed Jaken.

The Western Lord made his way to his office and shut the doors. Sitting down, he quickly skimmed through the scrolls. It was just as he'd expected, the remaining two lords and ladies had agreed to help. Thankfully, the responses were short and sweet, both the Northern and Eastern Lords understood the magnitude of the situation and didn't bother with useless flowery language.

With a satisfied smirk on his face, Sesshomaru placed the two letters on top of Lady Aki's letter.

They would arrive soon; they'd said that they were already on the way. Lady Aki would arrive tomorrow or the day after and the rest would arrive soon enough.

The reality of the war finally set in and Sesshomaru realized that in order to preserve order in the Western Lands, he had to do a lot more. Finding Jaken, the lord put him in charge of supervising soldiers. He himself left the palace to make sure that his subjects were safely out of harm's way. They'd provided him with many soldiers; to the point where only women, children, elderly and the ill were left. He felt obliged to check on them.

A/N) Building up to the war.. Reveiw. :)