Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

Where I Belong	By : Royal_Kitsune Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female Views: 3097 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or ideas from Inuyasha, manga nor anime. I also do not make a profit from this work of fiction.

Chapter List
- 22
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- 24
~Council Meeting: Day Two~
‘I am literally going to die of boredom.’ I thought as the second day of the council meeting slugged forward. The tribes and clans were as entertaining as watching paint dry, in the middle of winter, without the paint.
There had only been two real disputes to be voted on so far.
One was a rise of a new hunting ground that had been made accessible by the abandoning of a human village. It was located in between a hawk tribe and a snake tribe. Each claimed that it was essential to their tribes to have the food source.
The second dispute arose from a boar clan trying to widen its border into a lizard clan’s territory. The boars stated that their clan had been steadily growing while the lizards had been decreasing, thus the borders should be moved to reflect the populations.
The rest of the leaders used the time as a chance to impress the lords with their feats of strength or eligibility of their children as mates.
I was on the edge of slipping off to sleep. Ryo was slumping slightly and shaking ever so slightly to keep himself awake. Even Sage’s head was dipped though he managed to keep his eyes open. Sesshomaru looked indifferent as usual, but I could feel the boredom coursing through his aura.
“Does the Ryu-Inu clan have anything to bring forth?” Again Duma’s voice startled me and I wasn’t the only one. Ryo jumped slightly and Sage’s head snapped up.
‘We look so professional.’ I thought with an inward roll of my eyes. “No there is nothing for us to report.” I answered sitting up.
“Then we shall move onto the lords.” Duma stated.
“The south has nothing new to report or dispute.” The panther lord stated looking as bored as the rest of us.
“The north also has nothing to report.” The northern lord added.
“The west has nothing to report.” Sesshomaru said.
“The east has business to bring forth.” Toro said and I had to suppress a growl.
‘Of course you do.’ I thought sourly but remained quiet.
“As many know the Ryu-Inu clan’s former leader broke the rule of sharing a Shogakko which led to the justified attack of their clan by my father.” Toro started. “As is the law of the land, when the Ryu-Inu clan lost the war any survivors were to become prisoners of war and slaves to the east. At the time of the war there were thought to be no survivors of the clan, and now we see that there are three. Thus I declare that the Ryu-Inus are to be placed in the custody of the east as prisoners of war.” Toro finished looking directly over to us.
‘What?!’ I thought just barely managing to hold my tongue. Beside and behind me I could hear Ryo and Sage growl.
The entire council looked up as we heard several growls and shouts from above and a few from outside the door. Once they died down the council began to whisper among themselves about Toro’s demand.
“And…” Toro said his voice silencing the room. “Because the west helped the two Ryu-Inus in my custody escape, I demand that the mating between Lord Sesshomaru and Kazuko be broken and that Kazuko become my mate.”
I didn’t have time to think of anything as I felt the largest press of anger and rage I’ve ever felt wash through the room. The entire room fell silent as they looked towards the source of the wave. Sesshomaru’s eyes were such a deep red that they looked black with glowing green slices for pupils. His focus was fully set on Toro and I had a feeling that this could get bad if it wasn’t handled properly.
“Sage.” I whispered quietly to the guardian.
‘Got him.’ The guardian said. He was able to move onto Sesshomaru’s other side so that he could be restrained if needed.
“I would watch yourself, Lord Sesshomaru.” Duma spoke getting the table’s attention. “Lord Toro brings forth a valid point. Do you have anything to say Ryu-Inu clan?”
‘I will handle this.’ Sage said and then raised his voice so that the entire council could hear. ‘At the time of the massacre the Ryu-Inu had promised the hand of Lady Kazuko to Lord Sesshomaru before the child’s birth and before it was known that she was a Shogakko. As every member of this council knows, the laws of mating over ride all other laws. Lord Toro was already holding two Ryu-Inus as prisoners for almost two decades. The Ryu-Inu escaped on their own without the help of anyone else and gained their freedom that way. There was no help from the west in the escape from unjust enslavement.’ As Sage finished and sat, I could hear the various leaders discussing both sides.
“If that is all, this council is dismissed. I advise all to retire for the day and think over today’s events. Votes will be cast tomorrow at dawn.” Duma said as its form left the room followed by the majority of the council. Toro lingered once everyone else was gone and gave a smirk in our direction.
“I suggest you pack up whatever you have. You all will be leaving with me.” He said with a snorting chuckle as he left.
“Ryo get the door.” I growled as Toro exited. He was just in time as Sesshomaru let out a snarl and jumped from his seat towards where Toro had been standing. “Everyone to the camp now!” I practically barked knowing all the guardians could hear me. “We’ll be there shortly.” I said to Sage and Ryo, trying to keep my own temper in check. The two nodded, left the room and closed the door behind them. “Sesshomaru.” I said standing in front of the western lord. His eyes came down and searched me but seemed unable to recognize. He dipped his head to just over my mating mark and gave a sniff, the recognition dawning on his face. “Yes it’s me.” I said running one clawed hand through is silver hair.
“Kazuko.” He, or rather his beast, growled softly.
“Trust me I’m as upset as you are, but we have to figure out a plan.” I said. “So give me back Sesshomaru so we can work on this.”
There were a few moments of hesitation. Thankfully, the red eventually receded revealing gold underneath and a still very pissed off Sesshomaru.
“That’s better so let’s go.” I said and headed out of the room and towards the camp. Sesshomaru broke off to go somewhere, most likely his study. I had no doubt that he’d join when he was done.
I was just walking out of the front entrance when I picked up a slight snorting sound coming from around the right side of the castle. Figuring I had time to wait and cool down while the guardians relayed the information to each other, I walked around the right side to almost run into two large figures.
As I looked up, I recognized the figures as the leader and general of the Ryu-Tori of the east, the brothers Throe and Tohr. Seeing the two bulls brought a growl to my chest.
“I understand your hostility to those of the east.” The leader Throe said and shook his head. “But we truly mean you no harm.” I noticed he kept his voice low and sounded rushed.
“Then what do you want?” I asked eyeing each with caution.
“We’re going to help you.” Tohr said gruffly.
“Why?” I didn’t trust them anymore than Toro at the moment.
“We want Toro off of the throne as much as you do. He calls himself the bull king, but that is only because he has practically enslaved the entire east. He is much worse than his father. He’s taken all of the able bodied from our clan and forced them to fight under his service. Already this season we have lost thirteen.” Throe said with unveiled anger. “Thus we will help you defeat him when the time comes for battle, though we will have to vote against you tomorrow. He must not know of our plan or we shall be destroyed as well.”
“How do I know I can trust you?” I questioned.
“You cannot and we do not blame you if you don’t. Just know that when the time for war comes, you will have allies already within enemy lines.” Throe stated with utter seriousness in his expression.
The entire time the Ryu-Tori leader spoke I noticed waves of sadness and anger coming from his general.
“What has he done to you?” I asked softly looking straight at the general.
“My mate… she was of the Ryu-Inu clan. Toro had her killed to make sure that the entire bloodline was wiped out. She had been with child.” The general grunted.
“I am sorry for your loss.” I offered.
“There is one more thing. Toro is cleaver, but this kind of plan is out of his league. We’ve had reason to believe that he is working with someone else and now we’re sure he is. We don’t know who it is, but any information we get we’ll find a way to get to you in the north.” When I gave a gasp of surprise he shook his head. “Do not worry, I was told by your grandfather. Plans to overthrow Toro’s bloodline have been long coming. That was another of the reasons that he wiped your clan out. Toro’s father knew of the plans to overthrow him. We must go now and no one can know of this meeting. We wish you the best of fates Lady Kazuko.” Throe said as he and his general walked off.
‘He’s working with someone else?’ I thought over the possibility as I headed for the campsite. ‘Who the hell would work with that asshole?’
~Toro~
“And you can ensure that I’ll get the majority vote tomorrow?” I asked to the spider half-demon sitting across from me. I already knew that the unmated females would vote in my favor just so they could get a shot at having Sesshomaru for themselves giving me eight of the thirty-three votes to start with. It was the others I was more concerned about.
“Yes. You will get Sesshomaru’s mate and the male Ryu-Inu and I will get the other female for my own mate.” He responded his red eyes glowing with pure evil intent.
“Sesshomaru will surely start a war to get them back.” I mentioned.
“And with my hordes added to your army ranks you will slaughter them all.” Naraku said then added. “I’ll only require a small portion of the land compared to the vast amount you will receive once Sesshomaru is dead.”
“Then you have a deal Naraku.” I said with a snort. “Now go before anyone catches wind of you being here.”
But unknown to either demon a pair of blue eyes were locked on them. The observer didn’t dare move until both demons were well out of sight and scent. It slunk off into the forest its brown fur and black scales blending in with the surroundings.
~Kazuko~
“I thought you said matings were for life.” I huffed at Masaru.
‘Canine matings.’ He corrected and I rolled my eyes.
“Either way, why would Toro make a request that he knows can’t be granted?” I questioned.
‘It can.’ Sage said with a heavy sigh. ‘Duma has the power to dissolve matings and erase all traces of the mating bond. In my knowledge he’s done it once. A few decades back a small tribe kidnapped the daughter of the southern lord and forced her to mate with the leader’s son. They figured this way their son would inherit the southern lands. When the southern lord brought this to the council, Duma was able to dissolve the mating bond and ordered the clan eliminated.’
“No…” I whispered. Sure Sesshomaru and I were far from being the perfect mates but we were working on it.
“So what do we do?” Ryo growled as my silence dragged on.
“We must speak to the council members.” Sesshomaru said as he joined the group. “We must gain their votes.”
“Duma said that the parties involved couldn’t vote. Does that mean everyone from the Ryu-Inu clan?” I asked.
“No, it would be just you, because you are the leader.” Sesshomaru responded.
“I’m pretty sure we’ve got the northern lord, lady and general’s vote.” Ryo spoke up. “I know we have yours Lord Sesshomaru and the Ryu-Okami leader’s vote. I think Kouga will vote in our favor because Kagome would hate him if he didn’t. And of course you have my and Sage’s vote. That’s eight of thirty-three.”
“So we need seventeen votes to get the majority.” I thought aloud. “We can assume that Toro has his general’s vote and the three Ryu-Tori votes.”
“I will speak with the southern lord.” Sesshomaru stated before walking off.
‘Ryo, Sage and I will go speak with the Ryu-Neko clan.’ Masaru said. ‘Dagger, stay with Kazuko.’
“If we can get those votes it will give us fourteen votes total. We’d still be three short though.” Katina stated.
“We may be able to work out a deal with one of the disputing clans. We can talk to the boar clan, and promise to vote in their favor if they promise to vote in ours, and then do the same for the hawk clan. That would bring our total up to sixteen votes, leaving us one short.” I murmured. “But it would guarantee that the snake and lizard clans vote against us.”
“It’s a risk we’ll have to take.” Katina said with a grim expression. “Leaf and Swift come with me. We’re going to talk to the boar and hawk clan.”
“What will you do Kazuko?” Dagger questioned.
“I’m going to talk to Duma.” I stated getting a slight gasp from the rest of the guardians. “We all know that Duma’s vote is going to be a very important one, possibly even the tie breaker. I have to make sure we’ve tried everything we could to win this.”
“Then we’ll go with you.” Oak stated as others stepped forward to go.
“No, I’m just taking Dagger. I don’t want Duma to feel like we’re trying to force a vote. It will be a simple discussion.” I said shaking my head.
‘Masaru won’t be happy to hear of you going at this alone.’ Shadow mentioned.
“That is why we’re going now. So that we can be done before he gets back.” I stated. “The rest of you can go back to repairing the village. We’ll all meet up here at sun down to see how things went.” I watched the other guardians grudgingly head back to the village.
‘Well if we’re going to get this done before Masaru hears about it, we best get going.’ Dagger said and I nodded.
Just as we were going to enter the gates, a shadow fell over us. I looked up to see a brown and black form diving towards us.
‘What the hell.’ I thought jumping back as did Dagger. “Hawk?!” I gasped in surprise as I recognized the guardian who landed before us.
‘Kazuko! I have something very important to tell you!’ She gasped out.
“Well make it quick we’re in a hurry.”
‘Lord Toro is not alone in his plans. I overheard him speaking to a spider half demon about getting votes from the council.’ Hawk said with coughs punctuating her words.
My eyes widened as I my gut clenched tightly at this knowledge. “The half demon, did you get a name?”
‘Lord Toro called him Naraku.’
My blood seemed to freeze in my veins as I heard this. ‘That’s why Naraku had been so quiet lately; he’s been working with Toro.’ I thought. “Hawk I want you to come with us. I want you to relay what you saw to Duma.”
‘You’re going to see Duma?’ Hawk asked shocked.
“Yes.” I said and headed for the castle. “We don’t really have any other options right now.” I lead the two guardians into the castle and up towards where Duma was staying. While the rest of the castle rarely stayed in their rooms during the day, Duma never left unless the council was meeting.
We were stopped by Duma’s personal guard, a ferret demon, and advisor, a badger demon. “What business do you have here Lady Kazuko?” The ferret asked.
“We’re come to speak with Duma.” I said firmly as I kept a level stare at the two blocking my path.
“Duma is not taking visitors.” The ferret said with a slight edge to his voice.
“I would think it is in bad taste to refuse a presence from the hosting party.” I said having a slight growl in my voice.
“You question Duma’s choices?” The badger asked angrily.
“Let them in.” All in the hall fell silent as the voice came from within the room.
I couldn’t resist the urge to smirk as the two moved and we were allowed into the room.
“Close the door.” The voice spoke again and I closed the door once Dagger and Hawk were in.
“Duma.” I said with a bow.
“There is no need for such my child.” Suddenly the voice was no longer the confusing echo but rather that of a female that came in clear from the shadowy form before us.
“You are female.” I stated in quiet wonder.
“Indeed I am.” My amazement only intensified as the shadowy figure began to take a solid recognizable form. Multi-colored hair showed along with eyes that flickered from color to color so rapidly that they seemed to blur together. The form became that of a demoness, a dragon demoness.
Beside me both Hawk and Dagger gasped at the form.
“You are Duma?” I questioned.
“Indeed I am. I am Duma, mother of the dragons.” She stated.
~Sesshomaru~
“You wish for our votes on the matter Toro has brought forth?” The southern lord, Ryku, guessed.
“Indeed and I ask so as the return of a favor that was done unto your clan many decades ago.” I saw the southern lord tense but he did not respond immediately. He knew exactly what I was talking about. Several decades ago his daughter had been kidnapped and it had been my general who had found and rescued her from the clan that held her captive. Since then the south had had this favor hanging over their head. Panthers were very prideful so any chance to erase this debt would no doubt be taken.
“You have our vote Lord Sesshomaru.” The southern lady said after many moments of her mate’s silence.
“Thank you.” I said with a dip of my head.
~Ryo~
“Masaru you are a trusted and good friend of the Ryu-Neko, but this is a serious matter. I will speak with Lord Ryku on the subject and see how he wishes.” The Ryu-Neko leader, Noru, was saying as we had presented the case for them to vote on our side. “I’m sure you know how important it is that on such a major decision that I talk to Lord Ryku.”
‘We understand and we hope you shall come back in our favor.’ Masaru said but it was clear from the thrash of his tail that he wasn’t getting the answer he had expected.
“For your sake, so do I.” Noru said as we walked off.
‘We may have to consider alternative plans for should this vote go badly.’ Sage mentioned getting a gruff snort from Masaru.
~Katina~
“You can promise us the votes of the western lord and lady, the Ryu-Inu general and advisor?” The boar leader asked skeptically. “You can swear to me those four votes?”
“Yes if you can swear to me your clan’s votes.” I answered with a light nod.
“You have truly given us something to consider.” The boar replied. “You shall receive our votes in return for yours.”
‘Thank you.’ Leaf said with a dip of her head.
~Kazuko~
“You’re a…a…” No matter how hard I tried my mind was running too fast for me to grasp any one thought to express. Hawk and Dagger seemed stuck in a similar stupor.
“It is ok young one. This must come as a shock to you.” Duma said with a gentle smile.
“Do they know?” I finally blurted out as I pointed towards the door.
“My guards know of my true nature.” She said with a nod.
‘Pardon my bluntness, but it was said that the dragons no longer existed.’ Dagger commented.
“That is the rumor that we spread.” She answered casually.
“I’m so confused.” I said with a sigh and a shake of my head.
“I will tell you my story from the beginning. There is one condition; you must never tell anyone of what you’ve seen here and what I tell you.” Her voice held the same seriousness that her eyes shone with as she looked us over.
“You have our word.” I said with a bow.
“Make yourselves comfortable, for this is a long tale.” She said taking a seat on her cot. I took a seat with Dagger and Hawk on either side of me sitting as well. “Centuries ago before any of dragon blood lived, demons lived in disorganized groups that lived barbarically. There was no diplomacy or codes of honor. It was a time of chaos where only the strongest lived to maturity and so many innocents were slaughtered, including the weak humans who had yet to develop tools and were still nomads.
The deities looked upon the chaos and had become fed up with the way things were going. They decided that they wanted to bring order and peace to the lands below, but the question was how. They debated for decades on how to do such things. They wished to keep from using their own godly powers as they felt that using them on such weaklings was beneath them.
Eventually they settled on an idea. They would create a race of peacemakers, and grant them powers far beyond that of any human or demon. They called these creatures Ryus and sent them down to earth to establish order in the chaotic demon ruled world.
The deities’ plan worked at first. The Ryus were able to quell the needless fighting and help the humans learn how to farm and maintain a village so that they did not have to constantly wander into demon infested forest. The Ryus also divided the lands into the four sections they are now and appointed the first rulers of the land and wrote the honor codes all demons live by now.
For centuries peace reigned. The humans were becoming more advanced and intelligent as were the demons. The peace was broken as a renegade group of dragons began to rise up. They believed that with their superior abilities and intelligence, Ryus should be the ones ruling the world not acting as babysitters to the land’s more primal creatures. A lot of Ryus began to have similar thoughts and soon the Ryus were enslaving all under their control.
The deities saw this and were angered. They had made the Ryus to keep watch over their other creations, not enslave them. Thus they destroyed all of the Ryus with the exception of two, me and the dragon Ryuukotsusei so that we could remain counselors to the humans and demons. But the deities did not want to see such potential go to waste. So they charged us with the task of finding clans that they could bestow the Ryu nature upon. We found four that proved loyal, wise, and compassionate; a Neko clan from the south, an Okami clan from the north, a Tori clan from the east and an Inu clan from the west.
We brought our findings before the deities and they agreed that the four clans were worthy of the nature and blessed the clans with the Ryu abilities they have today, thus creating the four Ryu clans. You have heard of what became of Ryuukotsusei, he also became power hungry and was destroyed. I am all that remains of the original Ryus and I serve as head of the council to maintain order.” As Duma finished speaking the room was deathly quiet. It almost felt as if the whole castle had stilled to hear her story.
‘What about us?’ Hawk asked.
“As with most demon clans, the four we picked had animal partners that were a part of their clan. We granted those Ryu abilities as well, though not as prominent as their demon counterparts.” Duma answered.
“You said that you originally picked an Inu clan from the west. Then why isn’t Sesshomaru apart of the clan? He is of the west.” I mentioned. It wasn’t that I doubted the story. It was just that now I had so many more questions.
“At the time there were five Inu clans, instead of the two that remain. The clans were the sky Inus, shadow Inus, forest Inus, mountain Inus, and river Inus. The clan we chose was the forest Inus of the west. Sesshomaru is of the sky Inus, who were originally from the south.” Duma was so patient with our inquiries; it almost seemed as if she wanted the questions.
“This is amazing.” I breathed out quietly. As I sat in silence with the rest, I went through the information over and over in my head. I had just learned a secret that only six people in the world knew. Duma and her two guards, Hawk, Dagger, and me.
“You came to seek my vote in tomorrow’s meeting.” Duma brought up with a knowing smile.
“Yes, we know Toro is wrong, but we also know that without a majority vote in the council there is nothing we can do about it.” I replied standing up.
“Do not worry. You have my vote; I would not see my own chosen clan reduced to such. It pained me greatly when word reached that the clan had been wiped out. I was so overjoyed when news of the three of you returning.” She said coming forward so that she standing before me. “Regardless of the vote tomorrow, you will battle Toro. The only difference will be if you have to fight from within his grasp or free of it; and I will come to your aid. My days draw short. I am mortal as is all of this land, though my lifespan makes even a demons’ seem like a blink of the eye. I have been alive for more centuries they you have history of. My final act shall be to see the Ryu-Inu clan restored in any way possible.”
“Thank you very much, Lady Duma.” I said with another bow.
“Now go and see your mate. I can feel his unease from outside the doors.” She said with a kind smile. “Also, when you prepare for battle come and find me in the mountain known as The Belly of the Beast.”
I looked past her towards the balcony and felt my eyes widen as I looked out. The moon was high and in the center of the sky. It was midnight! We had been in here for hours!
“Farewell Lady Duma.” I said and led Hawk and Dagger outside of Duma’s private quarters. We opened the door to see a worried Ryo and Katrina and a very pissed off Masaru standing next to an equally pissed off Sesshomaru.
‘What do you think you’re doing going to see Duma with only two guards?!’ Masaru demanded before I could even think to come up with something to say. Though Sesshomaru didn’t say anything verbally his eyes spoke volumes on how much he agreed with the guardian leader.
“You were all busy.” I said, it was only half a lie.
“You should have waited.” Sesshomaru spoke and I rolled my eyes as I walked past him.
“Of course father. I’ll be sure to do so next time.” I drawled sarcastically as I headed for the stairs that lead to the private floor.
‘This isn’t the end of this conversation.’ Masaru called after me as he led the guardians out of the castle.
“I’m sure.” I called back and waved to Ryo and Katrina who left as well.
I could feel, rather than hear, the western lord ascending the steps behind me. His aura still read slightly ticked off but for the most part he seemed relieved. I guess I could see why he was worried. I had gone to see a creature that was thought to be otherworldly, deadly and cruel. The otherworldly and deadly parts were right, but I now knew that Duma was in no way cruel.
“Did they get the votes?” I asked as we arrived to our shared room. Though I felt tired I knew the matter needed to be discussed before I could find any form of peaceful sleep.
“The south has agreed as have the boars and hawks.” Sesshomaru answered as he disrobed and adorned a simple pair of black hakama pants. I likewise changed into a blue sleeping kimono.
“Good. We have Duma’s vote as well.” I said and I felt a wave of disbelief come from the dog demon before he was able to return to his usual indifference. “You bet we do.” I answered his unspoken question. “I think Toro will be in for a big shock tomorrow when his plan doesn’t work out.” I said then grimaced.
“What is it mate?” Sesshomaru questioned from where he had lain on our cot summoning me to him. I made myself comfortable on his chest and his arms found their way around my waist. I took a moment to enjoy his presence before I answered.
“Toro is not alone in his plans. He is working with Naraku.” I said and felt his muscles tense. “My thoughts exactly. But let’s not worry about that now. First let’s make sure Toro’s plan doesn’t go through and then we can worry about Naraku. I know you won’t like it, but if Naraku is involved Inuyasha’s group will show up eventually.”
“I see no need to involve my half-brother.” The western lord grunted.
“Our brother will show up whether we involve him or not. We might as well take the help.” I responded.
“Hn.” He responded and I smiled.
“I’m glad you agree.” I teased before settling down to sleep.
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Where I Belong