Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

Unexpected Circumstance	By : Neptunesdemon Category: InuYasha > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 13386 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all its characters are not owned by me. I do not make any profit of of this, it is purely for entertainment.

Chapter List
- 31
- 32
- 33
Title: Unexpected Circumstance
Author: Neptunesdemon
Archive: Fanfiction net, Mpreg mailing list
Category: Mpreg, romance, drama
Pairings: Inuyasha/Sesshomaru
Rating: R for violence and such.
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Yaoi, OOC, incest, OC, mpreg
Author's Note: No excuses for you at the moment and nothing to report, just working over time to get this fic to you guys and done before my b-day. Enjoy.
xoxoxoxox
Time stood still as Kagome looked up at the sound of a deep growl. The sound was loud and filled with a mixture of rage and disgust. Her heart skipped a beat as she looked up and found red-tinged eyes glaring down at her, Tetsusaiga held in a white-knuckled grip and the Daiyoukai's stance poised for battle. She held her hands up in a pleading and submissive manner, breath shortening as she realized that it was probably a mistake to have asked for Inuyasha alone.
"Inuyasha, wait!" She was hoping to stop him, though with anger clouding his judgment she doubted that she would. "I can explain this! It's not what it looks like!"
"You can explain yourself in hell!" The hanyou roared out, both hands tightening about the hilt of Tetsusaiga. "You'll pay for this, you bitch! To hell with peace! Here and now, the West declares war!"
She was screaming as the inu-hanyou charged forward and manged to roll out of the way just as Tetsusaiga came swinging down. She stared trembling at the rift in the floor the blade left, before she was scrambling to her feet, ducking as the blade came swinging for her head in hopes of removing it from where it rested. She could only be proud of herself for surviving this long, but knew it would be short-lived. She would need divine intervention in order to keep escaping Inuyasha's wrath.
It came in the form of a transformed Kirara, pouncing on the inu-hanyou with a loud yowl. The Daiyoukai went tumbling to the floor and Kirara tried her best to loosen his grip on Tetsusaiga by biting down on his wrist. It caused him to curse and shout, and he eventually had to release Tetsusaiga so that he could wrestle his way free from Kirara.
"Kirara, get the hell out of my way!" He was shouting, managing to throw the fire-cat off of him.
Kagome gasped as the usually smaller youkai crashed into a tea table, yowling in pain, and her eyes narrowed angrily onto the hanyou. Her mind was reeling as she tried to think of a way to stop him, her hands raising to her chest. Her eyes widened as she came to a realization, fingering the necklace of jade beads that she was wearing.
As Inuyasha headed for where Tetsusaiga had skidded to during his scuffle with Kirara, she lifted it off of her head and focused on using those damned powers of hers to enchant the jewelery as she'd done before. It was as Inuyasha came to stop by his sword that she felt the electrical snap that told her it had worked, and she didn't hesitate to run full-speed for the hanyou, hating the damn kimono she was in as it made it difficult.
With a scream of effort she jumped onto the hanyou's back, just as he was standing up straight, one arm clinging tightly around his shoulders from behind while the other started to place the necklace over his head. As she had imagined, Inuyasha didn't react well, and with a roar of anger, he was trying to fight her loose and was winning. It was sheer luck that had the necklace settling about his throat right before Kagome was thrown over his head, landing heavily into the shoji screen separating the room Miroku slept in from the living area.
"You stupid bitch!" Inuyasha was screaming, rushing in with Tetsusaiga held high. "I'll kill you!"
Kagome flinched, hoping it had worked and was glad to see that the hanyou hadn't snatched it off as of yet. With Inuyasha merely a foot or two away from her, she took a breath and prayed to any and all gods that were listening that this would work.
"SIT BOY!"
She couldn't help the yelp of shock as one moment the hanyou had been charging and then he was plummeting face first into the floor, bits of wood that had splintered flying up into the air from the force of it. There was a long moment of silence that passed, in which Kagome could only watch wide -eyed down at the hole in the floor her friend had disappeared into, hands covering her mouth which was still hanging open in shock.
Kirara, a little shaken, but no more harmed than she had been before her little tryst with the Daiyoukai, came peeking into the room. Her eyes stared down at the hole as well, before looking up to Kagome with a small meow, as if to question what had happened.
"Kagome?"
The confused, and pain-riddled, call of her name had the miko scurrying closer to the hole on hands and knees, carefully peeking over the edge to find Inuyasha still planted face first to the ground in the space under the floor boards.
"Oh, Inuyasha, I'm sorry." She said softly, wincing as the hanyou twitched in pain. "But, I didn't know what else to do."
It would seem the effects of the necklace begin to wear off, as slowly Inuyasha raised his head to look up at her, Kagome flinching back a bit as he did. Eyes that were back to their normal shade of gold looked up at her in confusion, brows furrowing as he tried to decipher if he was insane or not. Could that really be Kagome?
"Kagome?" Was all that came out of his mouth again, and Kagome gave a nervous laugh before offering a nod. "But. . .you. . .what?"
"Look, I can explain, but you have to get out of there first and promise me you won't do anything rash."
Inuyasha only grunted, before he was groaning as he stood up, Kagome giving him room as he climbed out of the hole in the floor. She was standing herself, very slowly, her eyes carefully watching Inuyasha who still studied her with a look of skepticism. They stared at each other for what almost felt like hours, before Inuyasha gave a grunt of impatience, hand crossing over his chest.
"Well, you gonna start talking or do I have to beat it out of you?"
Kagome easily shook her head, hands nervously playing with the ends of the kimono's large sleeves.
"I don't know where to begin." She said in a small voice, and Inuyasha scoffed. He pointed at her with his chin, eyes running her up and down as his lip showed a hint of a snarl.
"Why don't you start by explaining why the hell you look like. . . well that!"
Kagome shrugged, before she was sighing a bit in exasperation at the entire situation.
"I don't know why I look like this." She finally began, hands now pulling at the skirt of her kimono. "I woke up looking like this. All I remember. . . is trying to find you. I was. . . Oh!"
She was rushing out of the room for a bit, Inuyasha watching her warily as the miko, or so she claimed, left for the next room. She easily crossed over Miroku, who was actually starting to fidget so Inuyasha was certain he wasn't dead, and then picked up the small bottle she used to carry the jewel shards in. When it was retrieved, she made her way back and lifted the bottle out for him, Inuyasha raising a brow at her as she did so.
"Look at them!" She insisted, sounding impatient.
He relented and lifted his hand to take the bottle, eyes looking down at the collection of shards that they had been gathering before all of this had even interrupted their plans. He ended up frowning, as the jewel shards were pulsing and shifting in color, going from the pinkish-white of its purified state, to a deep purple that indicated taint. What in the hells was gong on?
"Why's it doing this? And how does this answer why you look like that bitch Sakuya?"
"I don't know why I look like this!" Kagome spouted in frustration, hands rubbing at her arms. "I just woke up this way! I vaguely remember anything. I was looking for you to tell you about the shards and then. . . I ran into Sakuya. That sneaky. . .snake! She did this to me!"
"Which means the you running around here ain't you obviously." Inuyasha grumbled, looking up at the pouting face of his newest enemy. "We have got to get you looking like yourself again. And I thought you were ugly before."
"Why you. . . SI-"
She stopped herself, taking a deep breath before she was glaring back at the smugly smirking Inuyasha. She settled for sticking her tongue out at him, glad to see it wasn't forked, and turning away with her arms crossed. It gave her the opportunity to find Miroku conscious again, trying to lift himself from the floor.
"Oh!"
She rushed over to him, kneeling beside him and easing him into a position that didn't aggravate the wound in his back, Miroku hissing in pain anyway. She looked back to Inuyasha then, who by now was making his way closer and looking past his friends to Sango.
"Is she. . ." His words trailed off, throat tightening as it brought the fresh memory of Rin.
"No, just poisoned." Miroku informed through grit teeth, breathing heavy as he strained to stay awake past the pain. "Kagome was able to slow it down, but we need some sort of antidote. We were hoping to get a healer."
"Minako's a bit tied up at the moment, but I'm sure she can do her best when she's able. I'm just glad I didn't lose someone else."
The two looked up at him at the words, Miroku's face more inquisitive and Kagome's riddled with disbelief and shock.
"Is Sessh. . ."
Inuyasha managed a half laugh at Kagome's hesitant words, and easily shook his head, the two sighing in relief. Though, they were sure had the Daiyoukai lost his mate, he would have been much more reactive and far more helpless. Not to mention he probably wouldn't have even come to answer Kagome's call.
"We found Rin." Came the half-breed's next words.
Inuyasha's body language was all they needed, and Kagome was gasping in disbelief eyes watering, while Miroku cursed under his breath. Inuyasha clenched his jaw, fighting his need to respond with a howl or even tears, gold eyes looking to Sango and vowing he wouldn't lose anyone else.
"I don't have to ask who's responsible for all this, do I?" Inuyasha asked, eager to get back to the task at hand.
"Well, it's clear now that using my body Sakuya poisoned Sango, but Miroku's injuries were Kohaku."
"Shit." Inuyasha said after a scoff, arms folding again as he thought things over. "I was too eager to let him stay close to Sango. Next time I'll be more cautious. I can assume no one knows where he took off to?"
Kagome shook her head and Inuyasha sighed, before he was taking a deep breath and looking his friends over.
"We can't keep sitting here on our asses while our enemies get the upper hand. You guys sit tight, I'll send Minako to you. I'm gonna meet with the council and let em know we're preparing for war, allies present or not."
Kagome stood as he turned to leave, rushing forward and reaching out to rest a hand on his arm, effectively stopping him and causing him to look back at her.
"Promise me you'll be careful?" She questioned and Inuyasha scoffed. She only smiled at the look he gave her before reaching out to hug him. He easily hugged her back, pulling away to look down at her and wishing that it was actually her face he was looking at. He stiffened as she reached up, and was relaxing again as she removed the necklace with a wince.
"I'm really sorry about this." She said holding up the necklace, Inuyasha only snorting with a roll of her eyes.
"If you hadn't have done that, you would have really been sorry." Inuyasha told her, glad to have it off of his neck. "I was going to kill you."
"I noticed." She deadpanned, rolling her eyes herself.
"Sit tight, guys. I'll try to move quick."
Kagome nodded and Miroku waved him off as he left the room. The miko watched him disappear, before she was sighing and looking to Miroku who was no longer fighting the drain his wound was putting on his energy.
"I want to believe everything will be alright." She began, moving to kneel beside him and give her body as support. The monk gladly accepted it, head drooping on to her shoulder as he panted, short of breath. "But, something's telling me that it's only going to get worse."
"Unfortunately, this is war, Kagome." Miroku mumbled out, barely awake. "When it comes to war, worse is what you expect."
Kagome only hummed in agreement, smiling down at Kirara who was soon jumping in her lap to settle for a well deserved nap. Miroku had already passed out by the time the neko-kai was purring and Kagome was left to think on her own. Threading her fingers through Kirara's fur, she looked out at the late afternoon sky, not exactly sure what she was searching for amongst the docile clouds. She didn't dwell on it. For now, she enjoyed the peaceful image while it lasted, because there was a chance she may not ever enjoy it again.
xoxoxoxox
Sesshomaru had heard when Inuyasha had returned, had heard when he and Minako whispered amongst themselves so as not to disturb him and then heard when they had left again. He was left behind in the dense quiet, eyes empty of tears for the moment as his mourning had turned from tearful despair to a quiet numbness. He lay on his side, one arm tucked under the pillow the old saru had given him to rest his head on, the other wrapped around Rin, fingers idly playing with her full locks. The locks framed her pale face, matching the ugly bruising and marks that dead flesh could not heal.
Within him, his youki began whining again, pining for the adopted human pup that they had had ruthlessly snatched away from them. It was easy to ignore it though, even as its whining turned to low howls as his inner self pined for Kazue. Sesshomaru stared back at his ward, willing her eyes open, even though he knew that they were permanently closed. She was beginning to smell of the dead, the human dead at least, and he knew soon that he would not be able to take the stench and lay here with her. But he was reluctant to walk away, not wanting her to disappear again if he left her behind.
'They can harm her no more.' He was telling himself, hand lifting from her hair to smooth out the collar of the kimono she was dressed in. 'There is no more they can do to her.'
His eyes looked up at her face again, and he couldn't help but cup her face, thumb rubbing over a cold cheek with small dregs of hope that refused to drain away that she would be roused. She didn't budge, her cheeks remained pale and her lips blue. His ward, his daughter, his Rin remained dead.
"This would have never happened if I had let you stay dead the first time." He found himself croaking, voice horse from the crying he had done earlier. "I should have left Tenseiga in its scabbard, should have walked away and let you rot. Instead, even in death, you charmed me. You, a spawn of human rubbish. I foolishly took pity and you willingly deceived me.
"You made me grow concern for you, made me cater to you and you made me love you. You were the start of my emotional side re-emerging, when I had just successfully gotten rid of it. Troublesome, human brat. Worming your way into my life. . . into my heart."
He reached a hand up to smooth out her hair, and ended up pulling closer to her, face burying in the folds of the kimono over her chest, regardless of the faint smell of rot. His sobs were muffled as he couldn't control herself anymore, body shaking as it was wracked by the force of his crying. He had never cried so much in his lifetime except for this past year, not believing that he was capable after the icy coldness of apathy had consumed him. Now, he was worse than most females, blubbering and moody, not to mention unable to control himself.
"I'm so sorry, Rin." He was wailing, face pressing closer to the stiffening body. "Please, please don't go! You can't leave me! Come back! Please, come back!"
He stayed there, crying over Rin's body for another half hour or so, before he finally settled. Red-eyed and hair disheveled, he lay hugging the girl to him, until he was finally coaxed to let go by his inner self. It was reminding him that there was no more that they could do, save get revenge for her fallen form and then give her the proper burial and respect she deserved in death.
It was hard to let go, but he was finally able to manage it, fixing her right so that she looked peaceful as she lay on the tatami, ready and waiting for the next phase. Fixing the sheet over her body, so that she would not be exposed, Sesshomaru finally lifted himself and headed out of the room. He stopped, ready to begin wailing again as he came in sight of the high table, where one of Rin's favorite flowers lay resting on the top of it.
He was slowly making his way over, clawed hands reaching out to gently lift it while golden eyes looked it over. He could only think that it was Inuyasha's doing, and he wanted to smile at his brother's thoughtfulness, but couldn't find the energy to. His feet carried him back to Rin, where he knelt and pulled the sheet back, hand gently tucking the flower behind her ear. The same flower that she had decorated his own locks with on numerous occasions. It was fitting that it adorned her own hair now, a testament to the pretty, little girl that she was.
He was covering her back up and leaving the room before he could begin bawling again, securely closing the shoji doors to keep out anyone who would disturb Rin's resting place. He sighed deeply as he stepped away from the door, hands pressing to his face to ward off the new tears that were forming at the thought of leaving her behind. It took a few moments, but he was able to regain his composure, turning away to find himself some water to drink and wash his face with.
It would seem Minako had thought ahead, because a basin and pitcher of water, as well as a cup of still steaming tea, was waiting for him on another high table. He easily made his way to it, pouring water into the basin and leaning over to wash his face. It was refreshing and woke him out of his stupor, if only lightly. The tea he drank slowly as he began to pace the room, his mind now busy on trying to find the best way to return the pain that had been inflicted on him to his enemies.
With Inuyasha tied to his own responsibilities, Sesshomaru settled for the next best thing. It took him no more than twenty minutes to return to his room and dress in his armor, Tenseiga and Tokijin at his waist. He was then striding down the hallway, ignoring the frightened or curious gazes, not bothering to answer questions from any lesser nobles that tried to stop him on his way.
In the wing meant only for her, Sesshomaru stopped at his mother's door, finding it odd that her scent was faded. He quickly opened the door, eyes slightly widening at the sight of the dark and empty room. His steps were slow and unsure as he entered, not wanting to believe that she would abandon him again. Not now when he needed her most.
His reaction of anger was distracted by a sound to the left of him, and he quickly turned to find Kagura, drawing open the garden doors to light up the room. She calmly turned to face him, eyes warily watching him as she bowed in greeting before she was straightening and waiting for him to say or do something.
"Where is my mother?" It was a demand that she answer, even if he did not say the demand outright.
"The lady Hiromi has left on an urgent matter." Kagura responded, Sesshomaru's eyes narrowing suspiciously at her obedient behavior. "She wished for me to inform you that she will contact you through a private letter, which she will send as soon as she is able."
"And just where has she gone?" He was asking next, stalking closer and being certain to seem as menacing as he possibly could.
He wanted to see what the woman would do, enjoying as Kagura nervously faltered, slowly inching back until she stopped just at the edge of the roka outside. Her eyes were downcast, her hands folded tightly in front of her in nervousness and Sesshomaru could smell the fear that was dripping off of her. Good. At least she knew where she stood in all this.
"I do not know, Sesshomaru."
"Prince Sesshomaru!" He was snapping, correcting her sharply.
"I am sorry. . . Prince Sesshomaru." She apologized, minding the tone of her voice. "She did not say. Only that she would return and she would contact you through a message."
"And why would she leave you behind?" Came his final question, and Kagura chanced looking up.
She froze at the sight of burning gold-colored eyes, never having been so close to see them this way before. It had her voice stalling in her throat and she forced herself to speak, for the first time actually aware of how powerless she truly was against a true demon as strong as Sesshomaru.
"She ordered that I stay here in her suite-"
"Which you disobeyed." He reminded her.
Kagura could only fall quiet, jaw-clenching as her quick temper rose a bit to the surface. Force to be reckoned with or not, the previous Daiyoukai was testing her patience.
"However, had you not disobeyed, I would not have gotten back my ward."
His quick change in attitude was baffling, and Kagura went to speak, but the prince held up a hand to stop her.
"Make no mistake, you are no friend of mine, but I give thanks where it is due. Thank you, Kagura, for your assistance. For now, you have earned my trust, as reluctant as I am to give it. However, if I find this is a part of some ploy to help that despicable hanyou get close enough to strike me, I shall be sure to make you rue the day he poured life into your putrid body."
Kagura could only be even more baffled, and frightened, by his reversion to anger and she merely nodded, now at a loss for words. Sesshomaru nodded himself, before he was finally backing away, looking about the room one last time as if Hiromi was merely hiding to make a fool of him.
The knock at the door caught their attention and the two turned to find a dark-haired youkai standing in the door, amber eyes gleaming as he looked back at them. Sesshomaru tensed defensively, instinct alerting him of some familiarity, but unsure of what it was. Even his youki seemed shocked as their eyes locked, the newcomer giving the vaguest hint of a smile as he moved forward.
"Prince Sesshomaru." He greeted, going to the floor on his knees before bowing forward, low enough that his head barely brushed against the floor. The obvious sign of respect eased Sesshomaru's worries a bit, obviously aware that this demon, whomever he was, was not an enemy. "I bring you a message from the Lady Hiromi."
As the demon lifted himself, his hand stretched out with a folded piece of paper for the still gaping prince. Sesshomaru finally got a hold of himself and took the paper carefully, eyes only leaving the figure in front of him to read over the hastily written words before looking back up at the strange demon.
"You may tell her I have received it."He said, the demon rising with ease and bowing again. "Thank you."
"You are more than welcome, cousin."
"Cousin?"
Sesshomaru's question was left unanswered as in the blink of an eye, the youkai was gone, the prince looking about for him, ready for an attack of any kind. When he was certain that the strange demon was actually gone, he looked back to Kagura, who seemed just as much on edge as he was.
"She has gone to bring us more men for our army." He didn't know why he was telling her this, maybe it was a test to see just how truthful she was being in wanting to help take down Naraku. "She has requested that I spare your life and accept your offer of aid."
Kagura turned to look at him, not sure what she should say and watching as Sesshomaru walked over to the vanity. There was a grander one in the bedroom, littered with things the female demon actually used, where as this was merely decoration. He opened a draw and reached inside, pulling out her fan and looking it over.
"She's also ordered that you be armed."
The draw was slammed shut and Kagura jumped, stiffening as Sesshomaru's cold glare was turned to land on her. He slowly made his way back to her, eyes holding the witch in her place as he came to stand towering over again, Kagura looking up at him with wide, uncertain eyes. She flinched as his free hand took hers and she watched as he gently eased her fan into it, closing her fingers about it.
"Let it be known, that if you were to use this against me, or any of the West, your life will be forfeit." He warned, eyes flashing red for a brief moment. "I will personally cut you down without mercy should you betray us. Do you understand?"
"Y-yes, Prince Sesshomaru." She stammered, suddenly aware of just how big the demon was. "I understand."
"Very good. Now follow me. There is much work to be done before our enemies strike."
She only nodded and watched as he turned to leave, Kagura following against her better judgment, and tucking her fan into her obi. She quickened her steps so that she wouldn't fall behind and had to wonder just where the inu-youkai was taking her. She held her tongue, nonetheless, not wanting to trigger another switch in mood from the prince. She just hoped it would be vaguely crowded so that she would have witnesses to a murder if the prince was planning on doing away with her after all.
xoxoxoxox
It had been about an hour or two since Inuyasha had led Minako to Kagome. The saru had only rolled her eyes at the miko's new appearance and informed her she'd get rid of her ghastly ensemble after she'd attended to important matters. Sango's wound was drained and the materials to brew an antidote were sent for. As they waited, she had tended to Miroku, dressing his wounds and getting him situated for a long rest.
When the saru had only had the task of waiting for the medicine, she had shooed Inuyasha off and the hanyou took the opportunity to call what remained of his council together for a meeting. With Tokage and Mujina dead, Shirogitsune off on a task and Ishimaru off probably plotting Inuyasha's demise, that left Kuma and Dokutake. At the moment, he and the far older youkai were trying to plot out the best way to disperse the little armed forces they had. The obvious thing to do was have a majority of the men take up a stand at the Southern gates of the palace, and gradually place troops at the other ends. However, they didn't have too many men to spare, and it would seem that they had no choice but to leave the West, North, and East open, and not to mention vulnerable to attack.
While the toad and bear demons had a small disagreement about how to arrange the troops at the one solid front they had, Inuyasha sat contemplating how everything was turning out, eyes glued to the map of the Western lands. It drew his attention to the scattering of human villages that fell under his protection, whether the damned humans realized it or accepted it, and that meant they would probably be hit as well. Weak and unaware of the impending youkai war, not to mention unequipped and lacking the skill to fight of hordes of attacking lizard and snake demons, their fates were most likely to be killed as examples or used as nutrition for the enemy armies.
'Great.' Inuyasha thought to himself with a weary sigh. 'I'll be spreading my own army so thin that our chances of success are steadily declining.'
Humans are expendable. They will serve well to distract enemy.
"Like I'd let that happen." Inuyasha mumbled, gaining attention from the other two youkai.
"What's that, my lord?" Dokutake was asking, him and the old bear now looking up at the younger youkai.
"Uh, nothing. I was, uh, just mulling some things over." Inuyasha said, his voice hinting at his weariness. "We don't have enough troops to send and cover the villages."
"Unfortunately, sacrifices must be made." Kuma stated, an air of sadness in his voice. "If the West is to remain, the palace and royal family must be protected. Our army must remain here where it is most needed. The villages can be rebuilt-"
"Only if we're left standing." Inuyasha said with a scoff, his eyes squeezing shut as he pinched the bridge of his noise. He sighed then, looking back up at what remained of his council, and folded his arms over his chest. "Even then, if the villages are completely destroyed, there won't be anyone left to rebuild them."
"And you of course mean the human villages." Dokutake pointed out, already knowing the answer. "Spiteful my judgment may seem, but should they perish, it would not be a loss to the West. Too long have the human villages resided in our lands and have set up their own rule, insultingly ignoring the law of inukai rulers of the West."
"Like it or not, they're on my turf so they're my responsibility. Especially if they can be used as a target to weaken us." Inuyasha said none too nicely. "The fucked up thing is that I can't do a damned thing with no men to spare, so all we can do is hope that the lizard demons, or whoever else is attacking, think it a waste of time to even bother with them."
He stood from the table they were seated at then, walking toward the open door that for once didn't lead to a garden. Granted it was to a small balcony that overlooked a garden, but from here he was able to look out past the palace walls and over the forest and plain in the distance.
"Kouga should have been back by now." He was muttering to more himself than his two political comrades. "Hell, Shirogitsune should have been back and gone again by this time, but he hasn't even sent so much as another messenger back. Something's wrong out there and I can't do anything about it."
"Perhaps, my lord, the best you can do is focus your attention on the palace grounds." Dokutake began, clearing his throat before looking to Kuma. The old bear youkai nodded in agreement with him, for once not in his animal form. "We think it time to officially declare war. It would give all the clans of the Western lands no other choice but to go to arms. The toad-youkai and bear-youkai are at your command."
"And Mujina's clan?" Inuyasha asked, golden eyes looking where he knew Mujina's compound to be a mile off. He couldn't see it, but he knew it was there. He had watched Ishimaru, and Mujina when he was alive, leave off in that direction.
Kuma grumbled and cleared his throat before he was resting a withered hand on the table top and resting something solid down on the surface. The sound had Inuyasha's ears twitching before the Daiyoukai was turning to face them, looking down at the table just as Kuma removed his hand. It was a slim piece of ivory, a large symbol of kanji etched into the surface, and traced over in red paint.
As Inuyasha read the symbol, his jaw clenched and face hardened into an angered mask that had both older youkai a bit nervous.
"What the hell does this mean?" He asked, already knowing as he read the character. He wanted clarification.
"Mujina had long suspected that Ishimaru would risk war for the sake of pride and greed." Kuma's deep voice was uncharacteristically soft, holding a lilt of sadness as he talked of his old friend. "He had long arranged a message with his closest clan members, those who could not be persuaded by Ishimaru's heretic fantasies. As planned, in this very event, this was delivered to me just last night. It reads-"
"Mutiny." Inuyasha spoke with him, fists curled in anger and aura building about him. "That son of a bitch. Now it's out in the open and his father isn't here to bail him out. I'm taking his ass down!"
"My lord, Ishimaru has left his compound with a war band as of last night. He slaughtered all opposed to him, at least, the ones who were not quick enough to seek sanctuary within the palace walls." Kuma explained to him, which didn't help his anger one bit.
"Fine, then we'll meet him on the battlefield!" Inuyasha was yelling, hand gripping Tetsusaiga's hilt as his body shook with unbridled rage. "Ready the men. We'll be marching at dawn. Fifty of the best stay behind on palace grounds. There's no way I'm letting this bastard get away with this!"
"As you wish, Inuyasha-sama." Dokutake said, bowing after he stood. "My sword and my life are yours."
"Keep 'em. You're gonna need 'em."
Kuma chuckled at the humor the Daiyoukai was still able to muster, reminded for the moment of the Inu no Taisho that had fathered the hanyou. Slowly he rose, bowing as well, before he and Dokutake turned to leave the room.
Alone, Inuyasha looked up at the early evening sky, wondering where the day had gone and trying to figure out if he was truly ready for all this. His mind wandered, thinking of his friends who were wounded and hurt. He thought about Shippo who was emotionally and mentally scarred, about Kazue who was in the clutches of a mad man. He thought about Rin. . . Rin who had died unnecessarily and unfairly. His mind wondered over his mate. . . wondered about his pup.
Our pup, our clan, our family.
He closed his eyes and breathed deeply for the moment, allowing himself to imagine what it would be like if this threat wasn't looming over his head. His mind's eye brought up he image of a smiling little girl, large gold eyes gleaming back at him, puppy ears twitching playfully. Behind her stood her birthing father, stomach swollen in the last stages of pregnancy, cold mask gone and replaced with a soft smile and Inuyasha got his answer. He had no choice, ready or not, his growing family needed him to pull through.
The wind blew a bit roughly, pulling Inuyasha's attention to it, eyes widening as he watched the sakura blossoms from the trees below rise into the air. It was a calming scene as he watched the flowers dance on the wind and off into the air, a few blowing into the doorway where he stood, catching in his hair. He had to laugh as he gently pulled one free of silver locks, having the strangest feeling that he was not alone. As he looked down at it, he thought of his mother, as it had been her favorite flower. The wind was blowing again, and he swore he heard a giggle, causing him to look up and be greeted with another burst of flowers.
He knew that laughter anywhere, and watched as the flowers disappeared with the wind, oddly at peace. When they were completely out of sight, he pulled a few more from his hair, laughing to himself a bit as he looked down a the handful he gathered. Sakura blossoms were also one of Rin's favorites. Taking them away safely, he entered the room and closed the door, turning back to the table littered with maps and scrolls.
He ignored the mess and left the room, determined to get back to where Sesshomaru had been left mourning over his ward who he had adopted as his own daughter. When he came to the room, he was surprised to find it empty, Rin's body covered over. With a sigh he walked over, kneeling beside her and gently pulling the sheet back to look down on the pretty face. Pulling out the sakura blossoms, he carefully arranged them in her hair and taking note of the flower he had left behind for Sesshomaru to give her.
When he had run out of flowers, he sat back with hands on his knees, golden eyes staring down at the human child that so easily made her way into people's hearts. The child that had been the first to crack at the ice that had been soundly erected around Sesshomaru's heart.
"Forgive me, Rin." He began softly, head bowing in respect. "My hesitance and uncertainty play a great part in your death. Not to mention my unwillingness to take the responsibility that I gained when I became Daiyoukai. . .hell, even when I became your father somewhat officially. I hope it's not hollow, and I will do my damnedest to not break it, but I promise that I will get vengeance for what was done to you. I won't rest until your soul is at peace and I've done away with every demon or otherwise that hurt you and is still threatening my family. We loved you, Rin and we always will. If your soul can still hear me, just know that Chichiue and Otouson love you very much."
His hand reached out to gently hold her much smaller one, wincing a bit at the unmistakable cold that associated with a deceased body and he leaned in to kiss her head again. His youki was heaving a huge sigh and Inuyasha nuzzled Rin the way he would any other inu-youaki in a form of a final goodbye. Slowly, he pulled away, fixing her hands so that they were folded right under her chest, before he was covering her completely again.
It was just in time, as his ears caught the sound of the outer shoji screens sliding open and he turned his head to look just as the screen doors to this room slid open quickly after. A servant stood looking at him with a worried glance before she was bowing and delivering whatever message she had.
"Inuyasha-sama, Prince Ginta of the Southern ookami clan has asked for your company." She told Inuyasha, who stood with a frown. "He wishes for you to know that he is asking as an ally of the West and is following his mate's instruction to seek your assistance in the Wolf Lord's absence."
"Ginta needs me?" Inuyasha asked, now thoroughly confused. "What for?"
"Prince Ginta was remiss to say." The servant told him, head still bowed. "He only relayed that the matter was quite urgent and sent word for your retrieval."
Though he hated to have no solid reason as to why he was being called on by Kouga's mate, Inuyasha figured it was best to see what was up. Ginta had been pretty quiet and reluctant to be a burden since Kouga had left, and had insisted on not getting in the way of Inuyasha's daily life. The Daiyoukai had let him know that he was always here, to help as much as he could, as the ookami prince was under his roof and Inuyasha had been the one to send his mate off. It would be wrong to just leave the wolf youkai up to his own devices now that he had actually taken Inuyasha's offer of aid. Not to mention Kouga had also seemed to let his mate know what to do in a situation were he not there to handle it.
With an nod he was standing, turning to follow the servant to where Ginta stayed in the guest wing of the palace that was not infested with hebi-youkai. Of course, it was only after one last look at Rin's prone and hidden body and sliding the shoji screen shut.
As they left the room completely, Inuyasha stopped the servant with a hand to her shoulder, the young bear-demon so shocked by the touch that she actually jumped. She righted herself as quickly as possible, before looking back at the inu-youkai lord and waiting for whatever it was he wanted.
"Find Sesshomaru and let him know where I am." Inuyasha told her, the female nodding eagerly. "Tell him keep an eye out and to take it easy. I won't go into detail, he'll know exactly what I mean."
"Of course, Inuyasha-sama." She said with a nod and a bow. "I'll find him right away."
Inuyasha watched her rush off, before he was continuing on his way to Ginta's guests' quarters. Whatever it was the ookami was calling him for, he hoped that it was nothing worse than what he had already been through today.
xoxoxoxox
Kagura hadn't expected to be led out of the castle and off towards the sounds of clanging swords. She didn't know what to think as she was walked through the gated area of what could only be a training field, where demons stopped in the middle of their sparring or katas to bow as Sesshomaru walked past.
She smiled nervously at the odd stares she received, her hand clutching her fan for dear life and ready to use it if attacked. She wasn't sure if they knew who she was, but a few looked ready to take her out if she dared even sneezed too loudly.
She was unaware when Sesshomaru stopped until she had collided into him, stumbling back a bit as the demon merely looked over his shoulder to her with a stare of annoyance. She merely shrugged and waited for the Western prince to begin again. He did eventually, as the doors they were stopped in front of swung open and he stepped inside.
As she followed, she knew in an instant what it was, and she had to wonder what in the hells they needed to be here for?
"My armory is stocked with every reputable weapon and every making of armor that all of Japan has to offer. You may equip yourself, and I suggest that you do, as I expect you to be able to live past the first few battles."
"What. . . " Was all she was able to stumble out, Sesshomaru turning to look at her with an air of finality.
"Until my mother's return, you are to join rank with the other soldiers and be prepared for battle." Sesshomaru informed her, secretly enjoying the glimmer of irritation that was springing up in her eyes. "Abandonment will be charged as treason and you shall be punished to the full extent of inu-youkai law. In simpler words, your life ends the minute you cower away or show signs of having worked for that spineless bastard all along. And I will be the one to personally perform your execution."
He turned to leave then, stopping at the closest soldier that had been peeking in out of curiosity, ignoring his fumble to salute or bow.
"She is to be armed and readied for war. I will not accept any treatment of her that is not befitting the usual solider. Any who disregard my command shall be dealt with accordingly. Is that understood?"
"Yes, my prince!" The soldier belted out, bowing low and the others surrounding them following suit.
Sesshomaru nodded and then was gone, tall figure striding back to the palace with an air that read he was once again a force that was to be reckoned with. When he was no longer in sight, the soldiers all turned to Kagura, who froze on the spot as all eyes fell on her. There was a long moment of uncomfortable silence, a mixture of confused or disgusted faces staring back at her. Not one to show how uncomfortable she was if she could help it, Kagura placed her hands on her hips, her face settling into a hard mask of focus and expectancy.
"Ladies. Gentlemen." She greeted, the demons looking to each other in further bafflement at her sudden shift in demeanor. "Tell me. . . Am I more of a bronze or am I better suited to silver?"
As the few females in the crowd giggled, Kagura allowed herself to smirk. She could handle this after all.
xoxoxoxox
Minako sighed as she finished bandaging Miroku's wound. The monk had needed stitching, and not to mention a sedative to keep him calm. Even now, drugged and his words a mushed pile of slurs, her tried his best to convince her that Sango needed her help more than he did. The old saru had ignored him and continued working, having already done as much as she could on the taijiya.
She had drained the wound as much as possible, had rinsed it with a herbal tincture and then had slowly giving the unconscious taijiya the anti-venom. It had been painstakingly slow, as Sango's being unconscious made it so that Minako had to massage her throat to swallow and be careful not to drown the poor girl. She had managed and then turned to the monk.
She looked down at the sound of snoring and could only roll her eyes and fix him so that he wasn't halfway on the floor, careful of his recently patched injury. Hiromi's help could have been used at this moment, knowing Inuyasha was going to need every extra hand that he could get. He was short two men, well one man and one woman, with the two humans in their current state.
She heard Kagome yelp out and she looked to the door leading to the room where Kagome had disappeared into.
"Everything all right in there?" She was calling out, rinsing her hand off in the bowl she had close by just for that purpose.
"Yes, I'm fine." Came Kagome's voice, followed by another yelp of pain.
Minako shook her head, before she was reluctantly standing to move the materials she had been working with out of the way. When she had first assessed Sango's injuries, she had then turned to Kagome and frowned. The miko's chin was taken in her weathered grip, turning the girl's face this way and that before she was exhaling a sound of displeasure.
"God heavens child, you're uglier than I remember." She had said, Inuyasha unable to hold back his laughter.
Kagome had only huffed and pouted, foot stamping in a childish manner as she pulled her chin free from the sarukai's hold.
"Do you think I chose to look this way!" She blurted out, hands planting on her hips. "Can you help me or what?"
Minako snorted, before she reached out and took Kagome's arm in her hand. She was then lifting her other hand to the inner part of her wrist. With quick timing, blunt claws dug into the skin and was then tearing back, Kagome yelping in pain and shock, pulling away and looking down at her arm.
"Wha. . . how did you. . .that hurt!" The words tumbled out, but Kagome ultimately looked down at her own flesh peeking out from underneath the torn outer layer and was grateful. "Thank you. I didn't know all I had to do was literally shed my skin."
"And quickly. A few more hours and that demon skin will fuse to yours and turn to poison." Minako warned before she began paying attention to the monk. "I doubt you want to be slowly eaten away by poison. Very nasty affair, if I do say so myself."
That had the miko moving, and after Minako had rushed the still laughing inukai off, Kagome had disappeared into one of the rooms for privacy. A few hours later, and many yelps and squeaks of pain later, she was nearly done.
Kagome hissed as she pulled away the last bit of false skin from her face, eyes melting back into brown as she stared at her self in the mirror. She heaved a giant sigh of relief, before her hands were running over her naked shoulders and face, making sure that it wasn't an illusion. She was herself again, thank the gods. Looking down at the pile of skin she had shed, she shivered. She never wanted to experience anything like that again.
Her skin was a bit raw, as she literally had to tear away what wasn't hers from it, but she accepted the pain. It was worth it to be herself again. Standing from where she sat, she passed the royal garb she had been dressed in and headed for the wardrobe she and Sango shared. Her hand grabbed the first yukata that was available, a soft gray with reddish-brown trim and detail, fixing it as properly as she was able to remember. Back in her time, it was rare that she went decked out in traditional garb, and when she did dress in it, her mom was the one who helped her.
With the obi tied securely, though not as neatly as she would have liked, she stepped back out into the main room, Minako looking up at her as she entered. The saru looked her over and rolled her eyes, before waving the girl over. Once Kagome was in front of her, she reached out to begin fixing everything so that the girl looked decent.
"Hard to dress when you're actually wearing clothes and not small pieces have cloth, yes?" She asked, and Kagome humphed.
"Traditional dress isn't worn every day in my time." She told her, Minako snorting.
"A testament to where the world is heading in terms of morals and values. Turn around."
Kagome did and the obi was fixed correctly, before Minako merely tapped her to let her know that she was done. As the saru moved away, Kagome turned to look down at her friends, glad to see that Sango wasn't as pale and corpse-like as she had looked before.
"How are they?" She was questioning, watching Minako shuffle her way around the room and tidying up.
"They'll live." She announced, packing away some bandages before turning back to Kagome. "The monk will need to take things slowly until he heals, the stitches cleaned everyday and when I see fit that his wound won't rip open with the slightest movement, I'll remove them. The taijiya. . . well it was some quick thinking you did to use the jewel shard as a purifier."
The saru-youkai came closer, holding up the now darkened shard for Kagome to see and placing it in the miko's palm when she stopped in front of her.
"It absorbed most of the poison and ultimately saved her life. I would have come here and found her dead, but luckily that wasn't the case."
The two fell silent, both thinking about the unfortunate child that was laid out waiting for funeral rites, and Kagome curled her hand over the jewel shard. She began to purify it, trying to distract herself from the sad realization, and Minako took to the low dining table where tea and light refreshments had been delivered by servants.
When the jewel was purified but only back to the recent color-changing state, Kagome looked to Minako, the old demon looking more wearied than she ever had since the human girl had met her. Kagome walked closer, resting a hand on her shoulder and Minako actually flinched.
"Maybe you should get some rest, Minako-san." Kagome suggested the old woman sighing before she was chuckling.
"I'm fine, my dear." She reassured Kagome, tapping the girl's hand in reassurance. "My being old is finally catching up to me. These past few months have seen me doing a lot more than I'm used to at this age. I'll rest when all this is over. Yes. . .I think then I'll be ready."
Kagome's slight smile faded at the softly spoken words that Minako had ended with. Her eyes studied the saru-youkai closely, the stark-white and crazy hair, the deep set eyes that held ages of memories, the set of her shoulders and set of old bones that read they were ready to lay down in peace. She resisted the urge to feel sad and knelt beside the old saru, shocking the woman with a hug that demonstrated her thanks and appreciation.
"Dear, what on earth are you doing?" She asked her, Kagome only hugging tighter.
"Showing you how grateful we are for you to have come to us." The teenager explained, and Minako could only laughed softly. "I know Sesshomaru will probably never do this on his own free will, so this is from him to you. . . from all of us."
Minako sat and enjoyed the embrace for quite some time, hand stroking the hair on Kagome's head as it rested on her shoulder. After a few minutes, she pretended to be fussy, shooing the girl off and reminding her that war was looming over their heads and there was no time to be mushy. Kagome only smiled before standing, heading back to her room to equip herself with her quiver and bow, ready to find Inuyasha and ask him where she would be needed.
"You'll send for me if you need anything?" She questioned, the saru merely nodding as she sipped at her tea.
Satisfied with that, Kagome threw on her quiver and headed out into the hall. As she left Minako looked up and out of the window open garden doors, her eyes looking up at the dimming sunlight with a feeling of dread.
"I know you're out there." She was suddenly saying, returning to her tea. "Just hurry the hell up and come inside. You didn't come her just to stalk me."
The half-crazed cackling that came from outside had her groaning in annoyance and soon enough she was looking up at a woman most likely no older than herself. With white hair as stark as hers, the difference was just how wild it was and the bits and pieces of twigs, leaves and who knew what else tangled in the unkempt locks.
"I had a feeling you'd pop up, crazy old bitch." Minako grumbled, pouring another cup of tea for the new comer.
The other woman merely cackled again, sitting and accepting the tea and looking back at the saru-youkai with an eager stare.
"Any way to treat your dear old sister?" She asked, not exactly succeeding in sounding hurt by the insult.
Minako only snorted with a roll of her ears, finishing off her own tea before pouring herself another cup.
"That would explain the nightmares and coded dreams, I suppose." Minako said, looking to her sister with a disgruntled look.
The other demon shrugged, not looking like a demon at all, in fact she looked more human than Minako herself.
"Not all of them." The other woman spoke, her eyes looking about suspiciously. "Though it seems that only now they started taking heed of my warnings. The West is in danger, sister. And, I wouldn't have gotten involved if I hadn't come to know that gusty gal. She fitting in well here?"
Minako's eyes looked up to the geezer now sniffing at the dumplings set out on the table, not sure she had heard correctly.
"Are you to tell me, Chieko, that you are the reason she's here?" Minako asked, her sister looking up at her with a near toothless grin.
"Who else? Naraku wouldn't put her into play until the last minute, which meant she was up for grabs. Besides, they needed an enemy that wants Naraku defeated as much if not more than they do!"
Minako sighed, a headache suddenly erupting from her sister's meddling. The sorceress had nearly lost her life and a lot of chaos had been tipped by her Chieko's hand. It all made sense, as her younger sister always had a knack for making a mess of things before actually helping.
"And, so why are you here now?" She was then asking, Chieko looking up at her with her mouth stuffed with dumplings.
"Welf. . ." She began, Minako snarling in disgust.
"Swallow first!" She snapped, the other monkey-demon laughing around her stuffed mouth.
After chewing and swallowing, as well as washing it down with some tea, Chieko looked to her older sister with a shrug.
"I felt you were running out of time." She said a bit somberly, eyes staring off into space a bit before looking back to Minako. "We're old and don't have much time left on this earth. You weren't at your usual caves with your familiars, and when I saw you were involved with the Daiyoukai and his mate, I knew I had to step in. Couldn't have you dying off without me saying goodbye."
"I'm not dead, yet." Minako said, aware of the tears on her sister's cheeks.
Chieko was always a weird child. She had always been a bit mad, due to her ability to see images of the future and share the dreams of others, but they had been close until Chieko had run off in a chaotic fit. It was after Minako had lost her first child, a still born, and had vowed to become a nurse-maid so this never happened to anyone ever again. Her own mate had left her when she dedicated her life solely to studying and Chieko had insisted the path she was choosing led to disaster. She had seen neither him nor her sister for centuries after, until Chieko had popped up to her caves months before Inuyasha had come barreling into her life.
Her sister had merely told her to brush up on her skills and was then gone again. Now here she was, after three decades of not needing her skill, she was helping to birth pups and healing all over again. Now she had to wonder what her sister was really here for. Though, if her sister was here to say goodbye then perhaps she was truly not long for this world.
"The West is done for, aneue." She mumbled out, eyes now looking about the room as if expecting something to pop out and attack them. "It'll be a breeding ground of death. Shinigami-sama, he lurks near. Would you leave knowing to stay would mean your doom?"
"I have a job to finish, Chieko." Minako sighed, leaning forward onto her hand propped up on the table top. "If death befalls me, then I must accept it. My duty is here and I can not abandon the prince at this time."
"You never listen to me!" Chieko shouted, hands slamming on the table top. "You always do the opposite of what I say! I see these things! I know them to be true! Listen to me!"
"I have, imouto." Minako said calmly, her sister calming considerably. "I have just accepted the fate you told me. I won't turn away from the path I've chosen because it means certain destruction. I can't leave him now."
"The son you lost long ago."
Minako stiffened at that, and her sister was giving her one of those crazed smiles, hands reaching for another dumpling.
"You can't replace him with the doggie. He's not your blood and besides, he has a mother already."
"What the hell do you know!" Minako snapped, pushing back from the table.
Chieko watched her stand before she was following, wide eyes looking out of the window to the horizon that was orange and deepening red.
"I know too much." She muttered softly, looking back to Minako who was now checking over the wounded humans. "I've seen too much. First the West, and then all of Japan. Gone . . . consumed by darkness."
"Then why send the girl here if we are doomed anyway!" Minako spouted, glaring up at her sister. "To toy with us! This isn't a game Chieko! What have you come for!"
Chieko began cackling, hand holding onto her stomach as she shook with laughter. Minako only sat and glared, waiting for her sister's madness to come to a halt, which luckily happened sooner than she expected.
"You haven't forgotten that I see all outcomes then. Very good, Minako."
"Get on with it, or get out and return to whatever hole you crawled out of!"
"Fussy old bitch." Chieko sniffed, before she was hobbling closer and crouching next to her sister. "Kagura being here gives the West some room to succeed. However, the girly-boy prince must wait before he makes a move. Shinigami will call when it is the right time. Only when he has lost his entire world can he use the stone."
Minako frowned, her heart dropping at the message. Sesshomaru would lose his entire world? The poor thing couldn't lose another child.
"What can I do to stop this?" She questioned, her sister merely waggling her finger to tell her no.
"You can't meddle, sister-dear." She whispered, leaning closer. "Pain, loss, suffering. . . let him feel it. It'll fuel him. One wrong move and the West is no more."
"There has to be some other way, Chieko!" Minako was growling out, her sister merely standing and looking down at her with a serious face.
"Do as I warn for once, aneue." Chieko softly uttered, eyes looking into ones that glared back at her. "If you want this to turn in the Daiyoukai's favor, then you will let the Prince fall so that he may rise again."
"Tell me, you know so much. What do you see I'll do?"
"What's right. . . you will do what's right." Was all Chieko said, turning towards the garden doors. She stopped to look up at the sky, before peeking over her shoulder back at her sister. "Though it will be the wrong choice. Farewell, Minako. I'll see you in the afterlife."
And then she was gone, Minako left behind with Sango and Miroku, and a deep scowl set on her face. Her sister's message disturbed and deeply upset her. Her death looming or not, how could she sit back and let more travesty befall Sesshomaru?
Her eyes looked up at the now darkened sky, widening as she realized the lack of a moon. Before she could even think more of it, the palace was rocking after a large boom and she rushed as fast as she could to the garden doors.
Her eyes saw the unmistakable signs of cannons being shot off in the distance and she braced herself as the palace shook again, screams beginning to sound in the corridors. She thought of Sesshomaru and the kit and knew that she had to get to them, but she also could not leave the two injured humans unattended to and open to attack.
She heard the roar behind her, and she turned to face the fully transformed Kirara standing over Sango, and Minako sighed in relief. Thank the gods for the fire-neko, she was truly a blessing.
"Guard them well. They're vulnerable to attack."
Kirara growled an agreement and Minako was grabbing her walking stick and heading out to the gardens. As old as she was, it was easier to travel through the trees and she took to them with the agility of someone in their youth. The roar of a charging army was getting closer, and Minako jumped to the top of the palace wall to look.
From the East was a large army of hebi-youkai and she sucked her teeth as she realized that Sakuya had planned things out. Screams from inside of the castle drew her attention and she looked back to find charging badger demons, killing off the defenseless or battling the skilled.
"Wherever you are, Inuyasha, be careful." She muttered out loud, jumping down on an unsuspecting badger demon that had been chasing after a screaming maiden in the gardens. As he fell to the ground his helmet flew off and the blunt end of Minako's walking stick had the opportunity to crush his now vulnerable skull in.
The maiden dropped, shivering and sobbing as she looked up thankfully at the old saru. Minako only growled, grabbing the female youkai up and shoving her off into the direction of where Sango and Miroku were left behind.
"Make haste, child, or die! Follow this path to the guest quarters and you'll find a fire-neko. Stay there where you'll be safe. Now go!"
The young demoness ran off and Minako was heading for the palace, adrenaline and youki blocking out the usual arthritic pain of her knees. Confronted by two more badger demons, she sighed warily as they circled her, Minako knowing she'll never reach either prince or Daiyoukai in time at this rate. None the less, if it had to be done, then so be it.
"Very well then." She grumbled, taking a fighting stance much to the shock of the very young demons against her. "Let's get this over with."
xoxoxoxox
Inuyasha was confused by the quiet that was coming from Ginta and Kouga's given quarters. The few times he had checked in on the wolf lord's Beta it had always been noisy. Not boisterous or anything, but there was always talking and the sound of pups, or even laughter. Now. . . it gave Inuyasha pause as he heard it deadly quiet behind the shoji screen doors.
He knocked, ears perched and trying to hear if something was truly wrong. He heard nothing more than silence and was surprised to find not one of Ginta's pack mates came to open the door like usual. He knocked again and waited, wondering if it were best to just go in without being given entry.
With his gut telling him to do so, he pulled one of the doors open, peeking in to the dimly lit room and wondering why it was so dark.
"Ginta?" He called out, instantly on alert as he stepped inside.
His hand fell onto Tetsusaiga's hilt, and his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting quick enough, looking about for any signs of trouble. His nose sniffed the air and found an overwhelming stench of fear, and it caused him to worry.
Having his mate gone so long was probably beginning to take its toll on Ginta, especially with newborn pups. He looked about and was confused to find not one pack mate was in the common area, and he looked to the bedrooms to find those empty as well.
"Ginta!" His agitation was beginning to show on his voice and he was ready to start tearing the place apart when his attention was drawn outside to the gardens.
"Inuyasha-sama."
His ears twitched at the faint sound of Ginta's voice, aware that he sounded wounded, and he rushed outside to see what was wrong. He found the Beta wolf sitting at the roots of a cherry-blossom tree, facing away from the Daiyoukai. For once he was not dressed in the usual furs and armor associated with Kouga's clan. The formal kimono gave him pause and he was hesitant as he climbed down into the garden.
As he came up behind the wolf, he could see that Ginta was shivering and he frowned deeper before he was crouching behind his rival's mate. He was hesitant to rest his hand on Ginta's shoulder, more because this was someone's Beta in distress and who knew how the wolf would react.
"Ginta." He called out again, this time much softer. His hand gently rested on the smaller demon's shoulder, trying to ignore the flinch as his hand made contact. "What's wrong? Where's your pack?"
"He took them away." Ginta whimpered, which further baffled Inuyasha. "He took my pups away."
Inuyasha was turning Ginta to face him at the words, and he stopped at the sight of the tear drenched face and the open kimono that revealed nothing underneath. He quickly diverted his eyes back above Ginta's waist and was stopped from speaking at the sight of the badly healing wound where his mating mark had been.
"Ginta who did this to you! Who the hell is responsible for this!" He demanded, hands gripping Ginta's arms.
The ookami only stared at Inuyasha with a defeated and apologetic look, tears running down his cheeks as a soft sob escaped his lips.
"He said he'd hurt them." Ginta admitted, head hanging in shame. "I'm sorry, Inuyasha."
"Sorry? Sorry for what!"
His ears twitched at the sound of movement and he was pushing Ginta out of the way, rolling out of harm's way as a sword came plunging down from the tree top above them. He was on his feet in an instant, Tetsusaiga drawn and ready as the badger demon that had tried to ambush him came forward.
Teeth bared in anger, he swung Tetsusaiga forward barely having to put force behind the swing to watch it tear the attacking demon into to pieces. Puppy-like ears twitched again, and Inuyasha was ducking, missing the swing of the swords coming from behind him, soon flanked by two new demons focused on killing him.
He was yelling out in frustration, his foot kicking one away, while his elbow connected with the face of the other. Blood spurted out of a busted nose in copious amounts and Inuyasha took the demon's distraction to his advantage. Claws tore into the flesh of the badger-youkai's throat, tearing a large rent into it and watching the demon fall to the ground to bleed to death.
The other was soon back, joined by three others, and Inuyasha growled low in his throat as his eyes bled red. His nails pierced the skin of his palm and he felt his youki provide the energy for the attack in an amount he had never handled before.
"Hijin Kesso!"
The shrieking of the dying only lasted a few moments, and Inuyasha watched them drop, chest panting from the effort. The earth beyond where the bodies were laying held deep rents that traveled to the garden walls, and even the stone there looked as if a giant animal had run claws over it.
He growled as he sensed being surrounded again and straightened to look about, watching as ten badger demons began making a circle about him. Tetsusaiga was lifted and he waited patiently, eyes trying to keep a watch on all of them at once. They stopped maybe two yards away, and Inuyasha had to wonder what they were waiting for.
His eyes widened as he felt it and he looked down at Tetsusaiga as it began to feel too heavy for him to hold. He struggled to keep it held up right, but the tip of the sword soon came crashing down as his arms gave out. He looked around at his enemies that surrounded him, noticing their concentrated stares before he chanced looking up at the now dark sky. His eyes widened at the absence of a moon and he heard his youki howl in rage before disappearing completely.
The sound of shuffling behind him had him spinning and dragging Tetsusaiga with him, hair flying and landing about him in a mess. He snarled, hoping to intimidate, but as the hair now draping over his eyes darkened, he felt his fangs retract. He looked down at his hand to find blunt nails instead of deadly claws and he gave a sound of frustration as he looked back up. The demons surrounding him were patiently waiting, some watching in dumbstruck awe and others glaring in fiendish delight at their advantage.
His resolve nearly crumbled as Tetsusaiga reverted to its original form, the sword rusty and blunt, but easier to wield. He lifted it still, not ready to go down without a fight. The youkai didn't budge and it had Inuyasha more nervous than if they had been moving in. What the hell were they waiting for?
"Well, well, well. It would seem that despicable hanyou was right."
It was the last voice he wanted, or needed, to hear at that moment and as Ishimaru stepped out of the shadows, the youkai parted to let him through. Inuyasha only growled, sword held up threateningly as he glared at Ishimaru with violet-colored eyes.
"Tell me, O Great Daiyoukai, how ever do you plan to get yourself out of this one?"
"Human or not, I'm kicking your ass!" Inuyasha spouted, standing straighter and teeth still bared. Blunt or not, it would get the message across that he was ready for a fight. "You're the one who should be disappointed. Too scared to fight me that you had to wait when I was at a disadvantage? Some fierce warrior you are. Bad way to try to start ruling a kingdom with deceit."
"Well at least you realize that I will be ruling the West." Ishimaru sniffed moving closer to the defiant human.
Inuyasha charged, but his sword was deflected and he was soon gagging and gasping for air as a large hand closed over his throat. As he was lifted from the ground, he tried kicking but his blows barely bothered the badger youkai now smirking arrogantly.
"Of course, I cant rule the West until after I've slain you." Ishimaru said, bring Inuyasha closer to him and enjoying the fire of hate and disgust burning in those violet eyes. Inuyasha did look so much like the pretty human whore that had birthed him and he enjoyed watching him struggle. "Though I'm sure to have an audience to watch as I make the kill. I want to be sure to take in your mate's mourning howl as his Alpha dies in front of his very eyes."
The spit that hit his face irritated him, but he only rewarded Inuyasha for his efforts with a punch to his gut. It had the hanyou trying his best to scream writhe in pain, but his trapped throat made it an odd wheezing gurgle of a sound. He was dropped to the ground and two of the surrounding youkai stepped forward to take him up. Held captive by his arms with a demon on either side of him, Inuyasha tried his best to breathe and regain his fading vision. When he was able to, he would make sure that this son of a bitch would pay.
"Your father must have been so proud of you." He wheezed out, voice still able to hold the heavy sarcasm. "He knew you were up to no good and had his loyal clan members warn me."
"A bit too late, it would seem." Ishimaru growled out, moving forward and lifting Inuyasha's face by his chin. "My men are already storming the castle and doing away with those who were stupid enough to think you were an acceptable replacement of a Daiyoukai. And as for Sesshomaru, with you gone I'll return him to the hanyou that so rightly deserves him."
"You won't get away with this!" Inuyasha was screaming, jerking his face free of Ishimaru's hold and trying his best to fight his way loose. "I'll kill you before you put a hand on him!"
"Oh, I believe I shall get away with this after all." Ishimaru said, stepping aside and motioning to where Ginta was leaning against the tree watching the whole thing in quiet disbelief and guilt. "And you have your little friend to thank for that. Some friend though, to have willingly helped to trap you and bring about your demise. You should always choose your allies wisely, Inuyasha."
Inuyasha looked to Ginta, who only turned away from him, unable to face him and he sighed heavily. He knew it wasn't Ginta's fault. This manipulative monster had threatened his children and with his mate gone, he was vulnerable and had no other choice. Ginta was no stranger to fighting, but he was no Sesshomaru. Against Ishimaru he would have perished and his children would have died, and so he had done what he thought was best.
The palace suddenly rocked, and a chorus of gasps and low muttering of questions arose. Ishimaru looked about in angry wonder when his eyes stopped at the palace walls. Inuyasha looked too and found the sky lighting in the East with signature signs of cannon fire. From the way Ishimaru started ordering his men about, he knew this was a complete surprise to the mutineer, too.
"Take Inuyasha away and keep up the attacks. Whatever army is attacking the palace can be negotiated with after they've further helped our progress."
A struggling Inuyasha was pulled off and Ginta watched as he was dragged away, feeling sick to his stomach and responsible for the pending downfall of a kingdom. He gasped as he was lifted to his feet, Ishimaru now in front of him and cupping his face.
"Thank you, my sweet, for cooperating." The badger offered him, one hand lifting to wipe away a falling tear. "You'll be escorted back to my manor where you can tend to your pups for the last time."
His heart ran cold at the words and Ginta tried this best to figure out what the demon meant by "for the last time".
"You said-"
"Yes, I know I said they'll be safe, but that was before your wonderful display of obedience has convinced me to keep you." Ishimaru said, his hand trailing down to pet and toy with Ginta's body that was exposed through the still open kimono. "Your mate must surely be dead by now and you will need a new one. I can't have another male's children in my home. When I am through here, I will return to my manor and we shall celebrate properly. So, spend your time with them wisely, pet. And be proud. You have served your new lord and master well. Let's hope you continue to please me so easily."
Ishimaru motioned a soldier forward and he handed Ginta off to him after a final caress over the mutilated mating mark. As Ginta was toted off, the smaller ookami-youkai still caught in a disbelieving daze, he turned to the rest of his men and served orders that they spread out and show no mercy.
With more cannons crashing into the palace walls and making them begin to crumble, he could only grin at the charged aura that only war could bring. When dawn arrived, the West would be his.
xoxoxoxox
Naraku was livid. Not only had that treacherous bitch Kagura escaped his clutches, again, she had managed to sneak in and out again, right under his nose. He had taken his frustration out on the now bruised and broken Kohaku, whose limp body lay on the stone floor. In his anger he had divested the taijiya of the jewel shard keeping him animated and his body was once again a corpse.
Ishimaru had left and started his own attacks on Inuyasha and the palace, and it meant Naraku would have to rethink things. Sesshomaru would definitely be on guard and with that wench having gone and teamed up with the Western prince it made his need for a plan all the more mandatory.
He headed for the bedroom, stepping over Kohaku and sliding open the doors to look in on his sleeping son. Nestled in a nightmarish nest of dark masses and limbs that stroked the boy as he slept, Kazue stood out a sharp contrast: a picture of innocence even though he was haloed by dark curls and redressed in deep colored clothing.
He stopped at the side of the bed, looking down at his son now sucking on a fist before he was scoffing gently. He barely even had the chance to begin tampering with the boy's mind. Now he had no choice but to put the infant into play, what with Ishimaru and Sakuya making a move on their own despite his warnings. He'd deal with them when they had made it easier to get to Sesshomaru by getting rid of all the soldiers for him.
Not willing to spare anymore time, Naraku was reaching down and lifting his sleeping son into his arms. The boy fussed a bit as he was disturbed, but he quieted again once his head was settled on his father's shoulder. With his offspring secured in his arms, Naraku headed out of the room and sparing Kohaku's body a parting glance. It was a pity the boy couldn't be put to more use. None the less, he would be all right without him. Sakuya was supposed to have taken care of the miko and taijiya, and the monk would be no obstacle with Naraku stronger with the newer jewel shards the hebi-youkai had given him. His curse could be controlled instead of letting it slowly progress.
He left his room and made his way through the manor, ignoring the maidens, nobles and servants that hadn't been slaughtered that stared at him with contempt. As he left out of the large front doors, he stared up at the night sky that was lighting up with cannon fire in the distance and couldn't help but smile. He could see stars and even the silhouetted figures of clouds in the night sky, but there was no moon.
Inuyasha was no longer a threat for the time being and he was sure Ishimaru would stay true to his word and get rid of the pesky hanyou. With the palace under attack, his mate disposed of and Naraku was assuming Rin had been returned to him, Sesshomaru would have no fight left. Any strength or will to go on and defy him would be taken care of with Kazue as a bargaining chip. A slight wind began to blow, and with it came the dense purple colored miasma that Naraku was associated with. It billowed and circled his figure until he was completely covered and with a strong gust of wind to blow it away, he was gone.
xoxoxoxox
He had been to check on Shippo. He was still having nightmares and could not be left alone if he wasn't sleeping, but it wasn't getting worse. So Sesshomaru took the small blessing with satisfaction. He had spent a good amount of time with the fox, cuddled up in Shippo's bed and trying to distract the fox's mind by participating in the childish conversation. They had talked of his growing abilities, which he congratulated the young kit for, and had discussed if he could help name the baby. They had talked about the upcoming mating ceremony and the future when Shippo was old enough to have one of his own.
He had strategically avoided questions about Rin, not wanting to add more emotional distress on his adopted son, and had also made no mention of Kazue's abduction. After a few more minutes of answering questions, luckily about things only children wonder about, Shippo was coaxed into eating. Kaori had brought a small helping of the evening's dinner, which Sesshomaru had missed himself, and the prince sat making sure that the boy ate. When the plate was clean and set aside, they were curling up again, Sesshomaru stroking auburn locks until the kit was asleep.
Reluctant to leave the fox-youkai, Sesshomaru pulled away from Shippo once Kaori had entered the room, eyes relaying a message that something was happening. The new dress of haori and fitted hakamas, not to mention the belt of daggers and pouch of shuriken was a sign that Kaori knew battle was near.
As he rose from the bed, he looked to his most trusted servant, and he would dare to even call her his first friend, beckoning the woman closer with a minute tilt of his head. Kaori came to a stop in front of her prince and master with a bow of her head, and Sesshomaru rested a hand on her shoulder, shocking the kitsune with the familiar action.
"I trust you with his life." He told her, not needing to specify who he was talking about. "Take him through the hidden passage and stay with him at the safety house in the Northern forest. I won't accept anything happening to him. . . or you. I have no doubts that you are a learned fighter, but I will need a friend in the years to come."
Kaori tried her best to not show how happy the words had made her, but she couldn't help the smile at being called a friend. She lifted a hand to rest it over Sesshomaru's, her green eyes looking up at the stoic face in thanks. When the Western prince finally moved to take up Tokijin and Tenseiga and add them to his belt once again. He straightened his armor and turned to face Kaori again, who now had Shippo in her arms, dark, hooded cloak draped around her and the boy.
"I beg that you make certain to take care, Prince Sesshomaru. And I ask that you take your condition into mind."
"Very well." Sesshomaru said with a nod.
The sudden rumble and shaking of the palace foundation had both youkai looking out a window. Sesshomaru's eyes widened as he looked up at the empty night sky. He had to find his mate, and soon.
"Go now and quickly!"
Kaori bowed her head and was gone, merging with the wood and disappearing into the floor. Sesshomaru left the room at a brisk pace and entered the hall to the sounds of faints screams echoing through the corridor. So, war was beginning on both sides of the palace walls. He had known Inuyasha was meeting with Kuma and Dokutake, so he headed for the private study that his mate had suggested they meet in.
He wanted to rush off toward the guest lodging that housed his enemies, but he knew that Inuyasha was his first priority. It was the new moon, which left his brother human and unable to fight off hoarding youkai on his own. Not that his idiot brother wouldn't try, but it was best that Sesshomaru got to him before he could attempt it.
On the way he came across the sight of a massacre: nobles and servants who could do nothing for themselves were being cut down unmercifully by a throng of badger demons. His vision turned red and Tokijin was drawn with ease as he stepped into the sitting room on quiet feet. The attacking demons had no idea what had happened, and they barely even screamed before falling dead.
The remaining nobility that survived, looked up at their prince with frightened eyes, some of the women still screaming, others crying. He blocked out their noise, and pointed with Tokijin to the open doorway.
"Get out while you can." Was all he said, the demons begin to scramble for the door. "Leave the palace through the Northern gates. Even when you are certain you a safe, keep going. I will send men to find you when the time is right. Now go!"
They left in record time and not a moment too soon, the hissing that started behind him had him turning to face a group of hebi-youkai that came slinking into the room from the gardens. Their bottom halves were that of their animal form and their reptilian eyes zeroed in on the Western prince with a look of hatred and the eagerness to spill blood. Sesshomaru's face remained stoic and he stilled his lips from snarling in disgust with much effort. He had waited too long to finally rid himself of these disgraces of youkai. He had never trusted Sakuya and her lot to begin with.
His claws glowed green on the hand not holding Tokijin and his eyes slowly watched back and forth between the youkai now circled about him. A screeching hiss alerted him to the impending attack and his arm raised, wrist flicking with ease. He barely winced or grimaced as the youkai that had been charging him was cut into three different pieces by his energy whip and the blood and ichor splattered him.
His carnal side shuddered in delight at the death and rush of battle and he was flicking his whip again, taking care of two more that were behind him without even turning. A head rolled from behind him to stop at his left, the face stuck in the form of a scream and Sesshomaru merely kicked it aside.
Tokijin was swinging to his left and slicing through the soft-scaled abdomen of another while his right hand grabbed another by its throat, nails piercing skin and poison seeping into tender flesh. His youki howled within him as he watched the one in his grip struggle and then begin convulsing, green froth bubbling out past his lips as the toxins slowly took his life. Disinterested, Sesshomaru tossed him away and turned to face the remaining demons, who were now transformed into full youkai form and making the room seem a bit crowded.
His teeth were shown of as he snarled, deep growl leaving his throat as his eyes bled red and his marks grew more jagged and deeper in color. He leaped for them, grace in his form as his claws shredded flesh and his sword took heads. He was yelping as a tail swatted him in his side, and he did all he could to land on his feet. Luckily he landed in a crouch, his hand cradling his stomach even though it was his side now throbbing with the unmistakable pain of a broken rib or two.
He was calmed by the resonating aura that he felt for and stood again, facing the last three snakes that were hissing and slithering closer. This would not go on for much longer. His patience was wearing thin. With a challenging growl and his canines lengthening as he felt his youki lending him the strength, Sesshomaru met his opponents.
xoxoxoxox
Kagome had reached the meeting room where Inuyasha was supposed to be holding his meeting and found only Kuma going over some battle plans with a few select soldiers. They looked up at her as she opened the door, and she gave a nervous laugh, bowing in apology before stepping inside.
"I'm sorry to have disturbed you, Kuma-san, but I was looking for Lord Inuyasha."
The old youkai only chuckled, black eyes warmly regarding the miko and quite liking the new look rather than the odd clothes she had met them with when she had first arrived.
"Please, you are an ally of the West, human or not, and you are not disturbing me." Kuma responded, deep voice oddly calming and not as frightening as it was expected to be. "Lord Inuyasha had been called away by the wolf lord's Beta not too long ago. He went to meet him and has yet to return. Do you seek him for some matter of urgency?"
He motioned Kagome join them, and she slowly walked over and took the offered seat that a wary toad-youkai gave her. She smiled at Kuma and shook her head, trying not to feel too concerned about being in a room full of youkai who usually didn't care too much for humans.
"No." She answered with a sigh. "Not really. I was just wondering where I'd be of help."
"Are you skilled with your bow?" Kuma questioned her and she laughed nervously.
"Well, I know how to shoot it." She offered, ignoring the snorts and scoffs from the other youkai.
Kuma merely chuckled and took a sip of the tea he had in front of him.
"It will have to do." He said, before focusing on the maps and blueprints again. "We'll need every capable hand. Our enemies are closing in and some are already within our palace walls. Lord Inuyasha has declared we march to war with the dawning sun."
"I heard."
"It was inevitable." Kuma said looking up at her. "Though I fear, we are ill-prepared. We can only spare to leave an army of 50 behind. I know it was not advised by the Daiyoukai, but I and a few soldiers were hoping to use the cloak of night to slay the enemies in our company. We-"
The old man was cut off and Kagome was shrieking as a loud boom and exploding wall interrupted his words. She was ducking down out of the way of flying debris and scrambling under the low table to evade anything else. When the clattering of falling wood and stone had finally stopped, she risked poking a head out to look about the room. What the heck had that been?
"Kuma-san!"
"I'm all right." Came the winded voice, and Kagome was pulling herself out from under the table to crawl over to him.
The other youkai were helping those that were caught under rubble, luckily no one was mortally wounded. As she helped Kuma to his feet, Kagome and the rest looked out of the gaping hole that now replaced an entire wall. Eyes widened as they all watched cannonballs sailing through the now dark sky and crashing into other parts of the palace itself.
The screaming and battle cries were what got the soldiers moving, sprinting out of the gaping wound of the palace and down to the ground below. Kagome ran forward to look down and was met with the chaos of screaming and running servants, as well as now battling youkai.
The roar behind her nearly had her falling forward, but she caught her balance and looked behind her to the ridiculously large bear that now stood on two legs. Kuma fell to all fours and came closer, giant head nudging Kagome before lowering to the ground and waiting. Kagome took the hint and easily climbed aboard after ripping the skirts of her kimono to a length that was easier to move around in. Once on Kuma's back, she was tapping him to let him know she was ready and then her stomach was lurching as they were free-falling to the ground below.
xoxoxoxox
The gurgling cry of his dying victim allowed Shirogitsune to sigh and sag in short relief. With a fluid movement, he was flicking blood and gore from the blade of his sword, before wiping what remained off on his already stained war garments.
He gave a moan of relief as he rolled his neck and cracked his back, not liking how many pops he heard. It was was beginning to show that he wasn't as young as used to be. Well, he'd be grateful that his hair was already white, so he wouldn't show grays.
The footsteps behind him were too quiet and calculated to alarm him and put him in a defensive stance, so he merely sheathed his sword and waited. In no time, he was watching a female youkai circle to his front, her pale blue eyes centered on him, her armor and clothes as stained as his own.
"Is there more that you require?" She was questioning, her tone clipped and Shirogitsune sighed.
"With the remaining pack and Lord Kouga of the Southern wolf clan, we must accompany Prince Seiichiro and his army back to the Western Palace. We are needed there."
"And then?" She was asking, eyebrow raised.
"Then I shall keep my end of the bargain, mate of old, and you shall have your revenge." He looked to her, the female kitsune now scowling and her eyes filled with a hurt that he had caused when he broke their mating bond all those years ago. "For having shamed the princess of the silver-fox clan, I will pay with my life."
She only nodded, before turning and heading off, nine tails trailing behind her. Shirogitsune looked up at the night sky, where dragons were sailing of in search of the fleeing ookami-youkai, before he was thinking it best to retrieve the wolf clan-leader.
xoxoxoxox
Amber eyes regarded the demons that left the war-ship and came to shore, her hand clutching the small pouch that the messenger had given her when he had come to deliver the message. Her personal guards bowed as a tall, brooding demon approached them, his amber eyes directed on Hiromi.
Without words he was holding out his hand, and Hiromi emptied the contents of the pouch into his outstretched palm. The demon studied it, before he was taking a deep breath and reaching out. Hiromi was jerked a bit as her sleeve was ripped away and she waited, her eyes focused on the sea as her brand was ogled.
"It has been too long, my kin." Came the even, baritone voice.
She looked up at the now smiling face and was soon yelping out as she was swept up in a hug. The rumbling laughter was echoed by the onlookers and Hiromi was yelping again as she was spun, before finally being placed on her own two feet again.
"We are here to help and to heal." He told her, lifting the pendant that laid at the end of a golden chain and placing it around her neck. His hands then gently rested on her shoulder, his happiness hard to contain. "You have called us here. How may we be of service, my dear niece?"
"My son and his mate are in danger, our kingdom of the West is being threatened." Hiromi told him, the demon finally frowning. "We have called you to war."
He pulled away, his eyes looking to the two demons beside her and receiving nods. Then he was turning back to look at the men on land and the fleet of ships still pulling in to dock. As his eyes traveled over the demons with him, they all gave a simultaneous chanting roar, swords and spears thrust into the air before coming to attention.
Hiromi was shocked to find her uncle smiling back at her again, before he was cupping her face in a show of affection.
"For you, dear Hiromi, we would destroy worlds. You have called and we have answered. Besides, what is family for?"
T.B.C.
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