Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

Waiting on a Wish	By : Quillwing717 Category: InuYasha > General Views: 42890 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
Disclaimer
(because I’ve been forgetting them <_<): God help poor
little InuYasha if I ever do get my hands on him. Good thing
Takahashi has him all to herself (legally, of course).

CHAPTER
8

He
didn’t realize how serious it was until he arrived at the edge
of the city, where the Alliance home sprawled symbolically across the
city limits.

The
gates were closed. At the very least, that was a very bad sign.

Two-story,
exquisitely carved, and heavy as hell, the wooden gates that formed
the only way into or out of the expansive Alliance compound had
always stood open. Never once in all the years he’d
spent there had the hanyou seen them closed; supposedly, they hadn’t
actually been closed in hundreds of years. Yet, when InuYasha got to
the high, thick walls that protected the private community within,
they were shut tight, allowing neither entry nor exit.

To
his extreme annoyance, he was forced to wait for the two ugly,
hulking lizards on duty to examine him before allowing him entry. It
didn’t take them long to recognize him, and they swung the
substantial things outward without a word. He ignored them, passing
into the courtyard that lay just beyond the entrance. Behind him, the
gates crashed closed, and he scowled at his involuntary start, then
huffed bad-temperedly as his disgruntled gaze swept the complex.

The
view within never changed. The Alliance compound was both beautiful
and unique--famous for its artful fusing of nature with architecture.
Every inch of land was covered with assorted flowering bushes and
trees, providing shade for the scrolling dirt paths that connected
the wooden buildings; running water from the many pools and streams
that lay hidden in the foliage provided a soothing atmosphere for the
youkai and humans who spent their time here. The buildings--with
their overhanging roofs, open porches, and covered walkways--blended
seamlessly with the elaborate landscaping, providing a distinctive
twist that made the Alliance gardens so well-known.

Immediately
following the gate was the courtyard--a smooth expanse of expensive
white stone that stretched out in a wide half-circle that ended
abruptly at the start of the trees and grass. To the right and left,
at either edge of the courtyard, twin pagodas rose into the air. Each
eight-sided tower represented half of the original sixteen-member
ruling Council of the Alliance--eight humans, and eight taiyoukai.
Behind each lay a small cluster of buildings, and it was there that
most everyday business involving human-youkai relation took place.

Disturbingly,
no one loitered in the inner courtyard, nor was anyone visible
wandering among the shrubbery. Not a single person--man or
demon--could be seen on the grounds.

The
atmosphere was fused with an unusual scent today--the thick, austere
smell of fear and distress--and unease pricked at his instincts
sharply. His teeth went on edge and he growled in annoyance. Usually,
Miroku handled any necessary interaction between him and the
Alliance, as the two had never mixed well. That InuYasha was even
here signified trouble. And the gates…. He glanced
around, but still couldn’t detect anyone within his sight or
hearing.

That
made him even more nervous.

He
glanced up, his eyes seeking out his eventual destination--the
original castle.

Intended
as a place of neutral assembly by the original group of taiyoukai and
humans who’d built it, it sat nestled just out of sight, set
deep into the side of the mountain. Over the centuries it had been
expanded, built up and elaborated on to become the thriving community
it was today; but the solitary palace--with its great meeting hall
and multiple rooms--remained the central hub of activity in the
impressive compound. Straight ahead of him, a series of wide, shallow
stone steps, overshadowed by the slightly wild foliage of the garden,
led directly from the courtyard to its entrance.

He
knew that the Council would be gathered in the great hall, expecting
him to report as soon as he arrived.

His
eyes tightened, and his lip curled slightly. They could wait. He
wanted a little information before he dealt with the Council. Drawing
a deep breath, he sorted through the scents in the courtyard until he
found the ones he wanted. With a tiny, exasperated shake of his head,
he headed straight, making his way swiftly up the long steps to the
castle, following his nose to his friends.

Miroku and Sango lingered in
the long walkway of the castle’s open front porch--also
curiously deserted. Both wore the traditional dress customary on
Alliance grounds, although Sango remained in her hunting uniform from
the night before, sans Hiraikotsu. Miroku sat on the polished wood
floor, his knees drawn up, his multi-ringed staff resting against his
shoulder. His head leaned back against one of the thicker, elegantly
carved support pillars set at regular intervals along the walkway.
Sango stood next to him, leaning against the railing as she stared
out into the foliage.

Miroku
was saying something, responding to Sango’s last comment.
InuYasha’s ears twitched as he caught their low voices, even
from a fair distance off.

“…it
is interesting that he seems so concerned about her. As far as
you or I know, Kagome has never been in trouble of any kind--yet he
seems to think she’s in constant danger. I’ve never seen
him run off as he did last night. The whole situation seems unusual,
to say the least.” His voice grew thoughtful. “Very
interesting, in fact. I just hope he doesn’t get too distracted
from whatever’s happening here.” A pause. “Although,
InuYasha never has been very interested in the Alliance and
its Council.”

“Yes…not
that we can blame him.” Sango glanced down at her feet. “I’m
just worried, Miroku. The Council has never acted this way…and
neither has my father. I don’t understand why he won’t
talk to me.”

Miroku
sighed and a preoccupied frown wrinkled his brows. “Puzzling
indeed. I have the feeling InuYasha won’t like it any more than
we do, which could be an issue when he stands before the Council.”
They both fell silent.

InuYasha
sighed. Great. More problems.

This
day was not going well.

Miroku
suddenly glanced around. His brow cleared as his dark gaze focused on
the hanyou clearing the steps. He raised a hand in cheerful greeting,
and stood with a jangle and a swish of his robes, drawing Sango’s
attention to their approaching friend. “Ah! InuYasha. Glad to
see you decided to show up. I assume you had a…pleasant
evening with our good doctor?”

Amber
eyes narrowed at the teasing, suggestive tone, and he snarled as he
came to a stop before them. “You better have one fucking
hell of a better excuse for calling me out here than wanting
to know something that’s none of your business, monk.”

Miroku
took one long, measuring look at his bristling friend and his
mischievous smile faded, instantly replaced by a look of deliberate
sincerity. He stepped back, his hands up in pacifying gesture. “Be
easy, InuYasha. I meant no harm. I was simply inquiring into the
safety of a good friend after last nights troubling events. It was
perfectly innocent, I assure you.”

InuYasha
growled at Miroku’s soothing tone. “Keh! Since when are
you ever innocent?” He relaxed slightly, eyeing his friend.
“You’re in fine bullshit mode, aren’t you monk? How
many times have you been before the Council today, anyway?”

Miroku
gave him an expressive look. “I see this place is having its
usual charming effect on you, InuYasha.”

InuYasha
“keh’d” again, glaring at Miroku, then glancing
back at Sango. She was frowning at him. “Where is Kagome,
InuYasha? She’s all right, isn’t she?”

He
drew a deep breath and heaved a sigh, tucking his hands into his
sleeves. “Kagome’s at the clinic. She’s safe for
now--although she’d be safer if I was with her.” His eyes
went back impatiently to Miroku. “So what the hell am I doing
here?”

Miroku
frowned, dropping his carefree demeanor. “Something unusual
with the Council, InuYasha. They’ve been convened ever since
the attacks last night. They’ve called back all the hunters
associated with last night’s hunt, and have been questioning
them all day. Things have been feeling quite strange ever since this
morning.”

InuYasha
nodded. “Yeah, I noticed. When did they close the gates?”

“About
an hour ago.” Miroku shook his head, his brow furrowed
thoughtfully. “I haven’t had the opportunity to speak
privately with my father yet, but it seems that the Council is
looking for something more specific than the movements of the rogue
youkai from last night.”

“Their
movements?” InuYasha looked at Sango.

She
shrugged, her dark ponytail swaying around her neck. “That’s
all they’ve been asking about. The youkai’s movements,
their attack patterns, what they seemed to be after. They kept asking
me if I sensed any strange or unusual jyaki in the area.”

InuYasha
stared at her skeptically. “What the hell qualifies as strange
or unusual jyaki?”

Sango
looked at him. “That’s what worries me.”

Miroku
sighed heavily, leaning against his staff. “The rogue attacks
on the city have been increasing in the last few years, causing more
damage and greater loss of life. According to my father, the
Council’s been growing more and more concerned. I suspect this
has something to do with the recent increase in activity. Last night
may just have been the latest in a series of building events.”

Sango
glanced worriedly at her fiancé. “A threat to the
Alliance, Miroku?”

Miroku
shrugged. “Perhaps. Or to the city the Alliance is supposed to
protect. Or maybe even to the Council itself. We can’t know for
sure just yet. At any rate, I’m sure we’ll know more once
I talk to my father--he hasn’t the scruples about sharing the
Council’s business that yours does.” He glanced back at
the hanyou next who stood next to them, surprised by his silence.
“Are you listening, InuYasha?”

He
nodded. “Yeah, I got it. The Council’s worried about the
rogues. They obviously think something’s wrong--they closed
those damned gates.”

“We
should get to the great hall. You’re the only hunter from last
night yet to be questioned by the Council. The questions they ask you
may tell us more about their worries.” Miroku looked pointedly
at the hanyou’s instant scowl. “And given the current
situation, InuYasha, it would be wise of you to at least try
to be respectful in the Council’s presence.”

“Feh.
If you think I’m…” His ears suddenly perked as he
caught the sound of light shoes tapping against wood. His nose
twitched at a familiar scent, and he turned curiously towards one end
of the long porch, drawing Miroku and Sango’s attention just as
the approaching female made her entrance.

The
young woman who darted around the corner was exquisitely beautiful,
her features small and classic, her skin velvety smooth, with a rich
natural coloring that makeup would only mar. She spotted the three
standing by the steps, and drew up short in momentary surprise. “Ah!
InuYasha!” The small, cheerful smile playing around her mouth
blossomed into a delighted grin as she ran forward to greet them. The
light brown jacket and short, pleated skirt of her high school
uniform hugged her body and danced around her thighs, revealing far
more maturity of body than a sixteen-year-old had the right to have.

As
she drew even with the trio, she skidded to a stop and formed a deep
bow, her masses of waist-length, inky black hair falling around her
in silky waves. “Lord Miroku, Lady Sango. It is an honor to see
you, as always.” She straightened and turned impossibly large,
thickly lashed, rich brown eyes--unanimously acknowledged as her best
feature--on the hanyou. “Brother InuYasha, I’m so glad
you’re here.”

Miroku
greeted the new arrival with a welcoming smile. “Rin, what a
pleasant surprise. I thought you had school today. You’re
looking as exceedingly beautiful as always.” He winced as Sango
grabbed at the tail at his neck and twisted. “But not nearly as
beautiful as my lovely bride-to-be, of course.”

InuYasha
gave a quiet snort before he turned his attention back to the girl.
He gave her a look of open curiosity. “What are you
doing here, Rin? I thought you had that damn high school of yours.
Won’t it be trouble for you if you miss it?”

Slim
shoulders lifted in a small, fatalistic shrug. “Lord
Sesshoumaru says I’m not to go into the city until the rogues
have all been caught. He believes it’s too dangerous for me to
go anywhere by myself. My teachers won’t care--they let me get
away with anything. I think they’re afraid he’ll demolish
the school if they reprimand me.” She rolled her eyes. “Or
worse, actually come to the school to talk with them. Besides,
my grades are good enough that I won’t suffer much from missing
a day or two.”

The
smallest hint of a smile softened InuYasha’s features.

A
tiny frown dipped her brows. “Lord Sesshoumaru is away for the
day, so I’m to remain at the Alliance with Jaken until he
returns. It’s been mostly boring. All Jaken does all day is
paperwork for Lord Sesshoumaru.” She shrugged again, cheerfully
this time. “But it turned out good, because I got to see you,
brother InuYasha. Since I got into such a highly rated school, the
work has kept me from visiting you or the Alliance for months.”
She peered up at him, her gaze curious. “You are here to report
for the Council, right? Tell me--did you really fight off a thousand
youkai with your bare hands?”

Three
pairs of eyes turned on the girl with silent incredulity.

She
blinked. “That’s what everyone has been saying since last
night.”

Miroku
gave a dry chuckle. “For people who claim to dislike you so
much, the rumors about you are certainly flattering, aren’t
they, InuYasha?”

Sango
considered InuYasha, an amused glint in her eyes. “I’ve
never seen him fight off that many--although his bare hands can
definitely be considered dangerous weapons.”

“Keh.”
He was still staring at Rin. “The idiots around here have
nothing better to do than make up stories, Rin. You shouldn’t
listen to them. The rogues last night weren’t anything to worry
about. They were weaklings.” He shook his head reluctantly.
“The pretty bastard was right to keep you out of the city until
they’re caught, though. Even weak youkai like that are too much
for a normal human. That’s why Alliance hunters are tracking
them down.”

Rin
nodded. “That’s what Jaken says. Lord Sesshoumaru always
does what is best for me.” At InuYasha’s derisive snort,
she just smiled, ignoring his unvocalized opinion with the ease of
long practice.

He
just rolled his eyes. “Feh.” He’d never understood
her unwavering loyalty to such a cold-hearted bastard. He didn’t
think he ever would.

Of
course, InuYasha still couldn’t believe that his
sanctimonious bastard of a brother had anything more to do with
humans than he had to. He wasn’t the only one, either. Even ten
years after Rin had appeared so mysteriously at his heels, the
Alliance still rippled with whispers wondering about the Inu lord’s
unprecedented interest in a human girl.

He
shrugged. He’d long since given up trying to figure either one
of them out. “Whatever.”

“Jaken
was just telling me that he might have to…” Rin trailed
off, as she glanced around, startled. “Eh? He’s not here?
He was with me a minute ago. I wonder where he went?”

“Heh.”
A brief smirk graced the hanyou’s face. He had no fondness for
his brother’s annoying imp of a retainer, and he found it
endlessly amusing that the toad was forever losing track of his
highly energetic human charge. “He’s probably around here
someplace.”

Rin
nodded. “He’ll come and find me later.” She either
missed InuYasha’s snicker, or decided to ignore it as she
turned her attention to Sango. “Kohaku isn’t here today,
is he?”

Sango
smiled warmly at the young woman, but shook her head. “No,
Kohaku has been so busy with classes that he’s barely had time
to visit his own family, much less the Alliance.”

Sango
was extremely fond of Rin. She had been privileged to see more of Rin
than most as she’d grown up around the Alliance. Her younger
brother Kohaku had been one of Rin’s only truly close friends
since her arrival at the Alliance, and the two usually spent most of
their time on the grounds together. Unfortunately, they hadn’t
seen much of each other since Kohaku had started at Tokyo University
earlier in the year.

Rin
smiled shyly. “I know. School has kept me very busy as well.
But I thought I might see him today.” She looked mildly
disappointed.

Sango
looked amused. “Don’t worry. He’s always asking
about you--even though I know he talks to you all the time, because
he always knows the answers to the questions he asks me.” She
tilted her head. “I think he feels guilty about not being able
hear them in person.”

“Riiiiin!”
A frantic, throaty whine echoed faintly around the hallway, causing
all three humans to glance around.

InuYasha
smirked. “I think the imp finally figured out that you’re
gone.”

“Rin!
Riiin! Where did you go? How many times must I tell you to stay
still? Lord Sesshoumaru will not be pleased if he comes back and
you’re not with me. Come back, Rin! Ah, this girl is more
trouble than she’s worth. I will never understand why Lord
Sesshoumaru keeps her around. Why must I be the one to watch
her, anyway? Riiiiin!”

Rounding
the same corner from which Rin had emerged, the green-skinned imp, no
taller than InuYasha’s knee and draped in humble brown robes,
stopped in surprise. His yellow, reptilian eyes bugged even more than
usual when he spotted with whom his charge was standing. “AH!
Rin!” He pointed at them with the two faces carved into the top
of his tall wooden staff. “Why are you with that filthy
hanyou?”

Rin
smiled cheerfully. “Look, Jaken. I found brother InuYasha.”

Jaken
blinked in disbelief, then strode forward. “W-wh-why…Why
would I care whether you’ve found that worthless disgrace to
Lord Sesshoumaru’s name? Rin! How many times must I tell you
that he is…”

Rin
turned back to Sango with a little roll of her eyes as Jaken began to
drone. “Kohaku and I communicate often, but talking by phone or
on the computer just isn’t the same. I was hoping to see him in
person.”

Sango
laughed, and dipped her head in agreement. After her father had
joined the Council at her grandfather’s death, it had been up
to her and Kohaku to fulfill the Yanagimoto hunter position at the
Alliance. She’d been twice as busy since Kohaku had forgone
regular hunts for the family in favor of classes and studying.

Jaken
was still talking. “…Why, InuYasha hasn’t even
half the wit, grace, or sheer power as--” He paused, one hand
frozen mid-gesture as he realized that none of the four was paying
him any attention. “…eh?”

Rin
turned back to InuYasha, who stood in his best impression of boredom,
hands tucked into his sleeves, eyes closed, brows and mouth set in
mild irritation since Jaken had started his soliloquy. Only the
telltale perk of soft white ears, and the occasional flick to catch a
new noise, revealed that he was paying any attention at all. “Oh,
brother InuYasha. I have been learning to cook at school. Please,
would you allow me to practice on you?”

“Cook?”
One golden eye cracked to stare at her. “You want to make me
food?” He sounded dubious. “Why?”

“WHAT!”
Jaken’s beak dropped open, and he stared in horror.

Rin
nodded happily. “Yes. Lord Sesshoumaru says he doesn’t
eat human food, so I need someone to tell me if it tastes all right.”

“R-R-R-Rin!”
Jaken seemed to like the idea of her cooking for InuYasha even less
that he liked being ignored.

InuYasha
rolled his eyes. “Feh. Whatever. Do what you want. I don’t
care.” He hesitated. “Nothing spicy.” He made a
face. “I don’t like spicy.”

Rin
dipped her head in a little bow. “Yes. Thank you so much,
brother InuYasha.”

Jaken
looked sick. For years, he’d remained perpetually terrified
that his master would rip him to shreds for allowing his young ward
to associate with his despised half-brother. Not that Jaken ever
allowed it--Rin rarely listened to what she didn’t want
to hear. Still, he could almost feel his life span decreasing. He
puffed up indignantly. “Rin! This is…Lord Sesshoumaru
will not--”

Rin
twisted on one heel and tilted her head to focus on her green friend,
forestalling him with a sweet smile. “Don’t worry, Jaken.
I’ll cook for you, too. I need your help as well.”

“Really?”
Jaken paused. A thoughtful, self-important frown crossed his face as
he considered her request. “Well, of course. My tastes may run
different from humans, but I still know fine cuisine….”

The
hanyou stifled a snort at how effectively Rin had managed to divert
the long-winded imp. Sometimes, it wasn’t that hard to believe
that she had lived in the same home as Sesshoumaru and his servant
for the past ten years.

The
briefest hint of scent was the only warning he got.

His
nose twitched. His eyes snapped up and he bristled at the elegant
figure who suddenly stood directly behind the preoccupied Jaken, long
white hair hanging silkily down the back of his white kimono, and
thick, mysterious fur trailing over one shoulder. Two swords were
secured within the belt at his waist.

Rin
clapped her hands together. “Lord Sesshoumaru! You’re
back!”

Jaken’s
eyes popped wide open and he whirled around and dropped into a
humble, subservient bow. “My Lord, welcome back.”

Sesshoumaru
ignored them, his gaze going to the hanyou across the porch, his
expression contemptuous. He was taller than his brother, his features
more delicate, beautiful in an almost feminine way. Youkai markings
striped in magenta lines across his cheeks, and a curious crescent
moon centered on his forehead. He would have seemed weak if it wasn’t
for the incredibly dangerous aura that hovered in the air around him.

InuYasha
glared back, clearly unhappy to see his brother. Behind him, he
sensed both Miroku and Sango tense.

Two
pairs of identical golden eyes locked in a brief staring match.

Sesshoumaru’s
eyes tightened mildly with disapproval. “Loitering in the
halls, little brother? Perhaps you’ve forgotten the reason you
are here. The Council called for you long ago. Don’t you think
perhaps they’ll be displeased with your tardiness?”

InuYasha’s
lip curled slightly. “Tch. You act as if I should care what the
Council thinks. Pretty hypocritical when everyone knows that you
don’t give a shit yourself.”

Cool
golden eyes narrowed even further. “As careless with your life
as always, InuYasha. Or have you forgotten that the Council has the
power to end yours?”

The
comment prompted a sneer from the hanyou. “That would thrill
you, wouldn’t it, Sesshoumaru. You’d just love the chance
to get your hands on my Tetsusaiga.” He paused, then smirked
“Heh. Not that you could, even if I was dead.”

Sesshoumaru’s
stare of dislike became a full glare. “You do not deserve such
a weapon. I have yet to see you prove that one with such tainted
blood is able to control it.” One graceful hand lifted to wrap
around the hilt of the bare sword at his waist. “Perhaps I
should test the rumors of your skill?”

InuYasha
reacted instantly, his hands slipping from his sleeves to mimic his
brother’s gesture with a growl. His body tensed for combat and
his thumb pushed the katana loose from its sheath.

A
long, pregnant pause held the occupants of the porch frozen.

Sesshoumaru
didn’t move, nor did his expression change. “Yes. Draw
our father’s great sword, InuYasha. Prove yourself as the
Tetsusaiga’s master. Have you even been able to recognize its
full potential?”

InuYasha
continued to glare at his brother for another moment, his growl
rumbling in his throat. Then, with an irate grunt, he released his
hold and stuffed his hands back into his sleeves. “Feh. I don’t
need to prove anything to someone who can’t even put his hands
on my sword. Or have you forgotten that?”

Sesshoumaru’s
eyes tightened scathingly and he let out a sound of disdain. “Useless
hanyou.” His hand dropped from his sword and he turned his back
to them. “I refuse to waste my effort on a foolish,
insignificant weakling.” He glided away, ignoring Jaken as he
scrambled to keep up.

Miroku
and Sango stared in silence, while InuYasha just growled softly at
his brother’s retreating back.

After
a moment, Rin stepped forward to follow Sesshoumaru, only to pause
and turn back once more. She grinned at Sango and bowed low. “Please
tell Kohaku I wish him well, and to come visit me soon.”

Behind
her, Sesshoumaru suddenly paused. Jaken, unprepared for the sudden
halt, stumbled, falling flat on his face in his effort to avoid
running into his master. Sesshoumaru’s head turned slightly,
and, from the corner of his eyes, an impassive golden gaze focused on
Rin.

Sango
smiled hesitantly and nodded her head. “Of course.”

Rin
bowed her head again in thanks. Almost imperceptibly, Sesshoumaru’s
eyes tightened. “Rin. We’re going.”

Rin
turned and smiled softly at Sesshoumaru. “Yes, Lord
Sesshoumaru.”

His
gaze rested on her unblinkingly for the barest second before he
turned once again and strode off. Jaken, having finally recovered
from his undignified crash, followed, running to keep up. “Ah!
Lord Sesshoumaru, wait for me!”

Rin
trailed behind, the small, gently smile still twitching at her lips.
As she turned the far corner, she sent one last wave in InuYasha’s
direction. “I’ll be visiting soon.”

“Keh.”
His scowl didn’t waver as the strange trio disappeared from
sight. He let out an aggravated sigh, then glanced with resignation
at Miroku. “Let’s get this over with before something
else happens.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The
castle great hall was an expansive, open room where the Alliance
Council held all of its meetings, both open and closed. It was mostly
bare, with polished wooden floors, and thick, carved, randomly placed
wooden pillars. The room decorations were elegant but sparse, with a
red and black color scheme on the walls and pillars, and spare
trimmings of gold.

The
ceiling was high and flat, painted with scenes depicting the origins
and history of the Alliance--from the terrible wars between humans
and youkai that had almost decimated Japan hundreds of years ago, to
the first meeting of the original taiyoukai and human families of
power who had allied to stop the destruction, to the building and
establishment of the first castle and the Alliance hunters. A raised
section of the floor along the back of the room held the table where
the sixteen members of the Council presided over meetings.

A
sort of tense interest hung heavy in the closed air of the room. All
the Alliance had gathered today, it seemed, and the hall was far more
crowded than it would normally be for an open meeting. Various humans
and youkai--members of the Alliance who did not sit on the
Council--stood around watching the proceedings.

Traditionally,
anyone seeking to enter the great hall was announced to the Council.

As
the three neared the hall, a small, fish-like representative standing
ready at the doors scrambled to announce their presence to the room
beyond. InuYasha simply gave a snort of disdain and strode right over
him. The members gathered there--most of whom had been present for
the majority of the day--stepped out of his way as soon as they
noticed him, creating an open path down the center of the room. He
didn’t stop until he reached the raised floor where the Council
members sat at their table, conversing quietly among themselves.

Then
he stood impatiently before them, arms crossed within his sleeves,
foot tapping quietly. He ignored the slight disturbance rippling
across the room as more people began to notice him. Most here would
recognize him; he was the only hanyou ever born of the pureblooded
families of the Alliance, and one of the most skilled--and
notoriously disrespectful--hunters employed by them.

Noticing
the disturbance, sixteen pairs of eyes slowly focused on him--some
openly disgusted, some interested, most properly indifferent. It was
exceedingly rare for this particular hunter to appear before them;
his ambivalence towards the Alliance and its Council was widely
known. The crowd around him shifted subtly, waiting to see how the
Council would react to his casual entrance.

Behind
him, he heard Miroku sigh as he moved to join him. InuYasha scowled
as he felt the monk stop just behind him with a quiet, prompting
cough. If he actually expects me to bow, he’s out of his
mind. It was enough that he was even here.

The
current head of the Council, an ancient taiyoukai called Akadansha,
eyed him coolly over the glasses set low on her small, pale nose. He
returned her look arrogantly. He could care less what the Council
thought of his arrival…

Although
Akadansha was no one to play with.

As
the only living member of the original Council, Akadansha’s
word was respected above all others on the Council, and she had been
presiding regally over Council meetings for as long as InuYasha could
remember. Her human form--which she and all other youkai with animal
forms retained while on Alliance grounds--was a fragile, weak-looking
woman with brilliant white hair, blood-red eyes, and smooth, pale
skin. She’d appeared in only human form for so long that no one
could quite remember what her animal form actually was.
(Rumors and bets about her true nature--that she was some form of
incredibly powerful dragon, or a rat in disguise, or the last of a
race of blood-eating youkai that had been extinct for so long that no
one knew they had actually existed--were a daily part of life at the
Alliance.)

Despite
her frail appearance, Akadansha always maintained an air of supreme
authority and power--never so much looking her age as feeling
it. She held the unquestioning respect of every member of the
Alliance, and sway over every member of the Council. Some said she
was brilliant, others said she was insane with age. Still, she
controlled the Council with an iron will, coolly bending opinions to
follow her own. She’d scared the shit out of him when he was a
kid.

She
studied him critically, one small, sharp claw tracing the pointed
shell of her ear. “Well, well, hunter. Have you decided to
finally grace us with your presence? Perhaps we should be flattered.”

His
back stiffened, but before he could say anything, Miroku swept a deep
bow, his staff jangling as it curved beneath him, his voice smooth
and deferential. “Great members of the Council, InuYasha offers
his deepest apologies for your wait, but he had a pressing matter to
attend to, and only just received word of your summons.” He
paused and looked up. “He did, of course, rush straight over as
soon as he heard of your wish to speak with him.”

Akadansha’s
blood-red gaze never turned from InuYasha. “Is that so? Of
course. Perhaps the hunter would care to inform us what…‘pressing
matter’ kept him from fulfilling his obligation to the
Council?”

“Tch!”
Brows--surprisingly dark despite his pale coloring--lowered angrily.
He sure as hell hadn’t come here so they could delve into his
personal life. “Perhaps you should mind--uuuhhff!”
The breath huffed out of him as Miroku stepped in front of him, the
end of his staff digging up into his diaphragm.

“I’m
afraid the matter was of a personal nature that InuYasha does not
wish to discuss in public.”

Dense
white eyebrows lifted, ignoring the displeased shifting of various
members in their seats. “Is that so, hunter?”

InuYasha
turned his glare from the monk in front of him back to the Council
member. “Feh. I’m not obligated to tell you the
details of my life. If you have something important to ask me, get on
with it. Otherwise, I have better things to do with my time. ”

An
angry hiss echoed cut through the hall, drawing everyone’s
attention to a tall, broad, snake-like taiyoukai with gray skin and
blue hair at the far end of the table. Long, thin pupils widened
within pale yellow cornea as his eyes focused threateningly on the
hunter standing before the Council. “This is an insult! The
monk is putting words in the hanyou’s mouth. This…half-breed
has yet to learn his place before the Council. Such arrogance should
not be tolerated from one with only half our power!”

Dead
silence filled the hall. InuYasha turned his amber gaze to the
imposing taiyoukai, anger swirling dangerously. His temper had
already been pushed to the breaking point once today. The snake only
looked vaguely familiar, meaning that he hadn’t been a part of
the Council in his father’s time. InuYasha didn’t appear
frequently enough before the Council for him to know any of the newer
members.

His
lips curled back, revealing his fangs, and his hand fell to the sword
at his side, fingers curving around the hilt. His knuckles cracked
ominously.

Oh,
fuck this.

First
the fight with Kagome…. Then that wimp Kouga…. Having
to leave Kagome with that ridiculous wolf to come here,
of all places…. And after all that, he’d had to deal
with his bastard brother as well. A growl threatened deep in his
chest. This idiot had chosen the wrong day to pick a fight with this
particular hanyou.

The
snake smiled derisively, revealing fangs of his own. “Pathetic
half-breed. You think yourself capable of facing one of the Council’s
stature?” He stood. “I will gladly show you your place.”

Unexpectedly,
the comment prompted a small, unpleasant smile from the silent
hanyou. Hell with it…he could use a fight to blow off
some steam. His knuckles cracked again.

Miroku
looked alarmed, his gaze flying back to Akadansha, who watched
impassively as the Council member and the hunter faced off. “I
would like to remind the Council members of their purpose in calling
InuYasha before them personally. Violence is not only forbidden
within Alliance grounds, but it would severely impede the Council’s
business.” He darted a covert look at his father, who watched
calmly from his seat next to Sango’s father.

InuYasha
didn’t see why he bothered. He couldn’t expect
intervention from either of them. Any hint of favoritism was frowned
upon in the Council, and the friendship between their children and
the hunter was widely known.

Another
of the Council--a fat, wealthy human dressed in rich robes of
silk--shifted forward in his seat. He focused a look of distaste on
InuYasha as he spoke, deliberately addressing Miroku instead. “Shizou
has a point, monk. This particular…hunter…has
never given the Council the respect it is due. Perhaps a reprimand is
in order.” He glanced pointedly at the snake further down the
table. “One that would make a deeper impression than the
monetary ones dispensed in the past.”

Hearing
the snake’s name, InuYasha paused, his gaze sweeping across the
table, his hands tightening for just a moment. He looked back at the
snake. “Shizou, huh?” A shadow of recognition passed
behind his gaze, and he sneered in contempt. “Feh.”
Releasing his grip on his sword, he tucked his hands back into his
sleeves and turned his back on the Council. “If all you’re
going to do is waste my time, I’m leaving. I have more
important things to do than stand here and listen to bullshit.”

Fresh
mutters of shock followed his declaration. Miroku let out a resigned
sigh and shook his head, his fingers rubbing at his temples. The
human who had spoken in favor of a reprimand sat back, displeasure
evident in his features. Shizou, infuriated at the dismissal, hissed
again and grabbed for the sword hidden within his armor.

“Were
I you, Shizou--” Somehow, Akadansha’s mild tone cut
through the tense atmosphere overwhelming the room, drawing
everyone’s attention to her casual study of her nails, “--I
would not be so eager to meet the hunter that rid the Council of
Ryukotsusei.”

Once
again, a brief murmuring moved through the observing crowd.

“Ryukotsusei?”
The name seemed to drain most of the energy from the furious snake.
He stared in shock at the hanyou, who had stilled at Akadansha’s
words. “This half-measure of a youkai destroyed the mighty
Ryukotsusei? But…surely you jest, Akadansha.”

“Hm.”
Akadansha rested her head lightly against one slim finger. “Of
course not. It was InuYasha who tracked Ryukotsusei down in the
mountains after he was unsealed, and it was InuYasha who destroyed
the monster that even his father--and yours, if I remember
correctly--could not. While it is true that this is not a well-known
fact, Shizou, I am surprised that you do not know the name of your
own sire’s avenger.

“If
you truly wish to fight the hunter, then you may do so at your own
risk--in the forest, away from all human populace, in accordance with
Alliance law.” She turned her deep ruby eyes to train steadily
on the hesitant taiyoukai. “When we appointed you in you
father’s place a mere ten years ago, the
Council did so because we felt that you would bring a semblance of
wisdom and restraint that your father lacked. Had we realized you
were contaminated with the same recklessness that got him killed,
however, we might have reconsidered.”

Shizou
hesitated, then slowly sank back into his seat, completely cowed by
the Council’s oldest member. Disappointed, the fat, silk-clad
human stirred once again. “Have you forgotten the hunter’s
insult to this Council, Akadansha?”

Something
like a smirk curved the corners of her lips. “Insult, Lord
Higen? Do you mean his lack of formality--formality that is at best
an unspoken guideline, and is not spoken of in the rules we abide by?
Or perhaps you mean his refusal to battle on the neutral grounds of
the Alliance. And here I thought he was merely following the
rules…for once.” She looked back at InuYasha, who had
twisted to stare at her. “His attitude towards the Council that
employs him may be unwise…but no more unwise than for this
Council to indulge in unwarranted prejudice against one of its best
hunters…on nothing but the pitiable excuse of perceived
slight.”

She
allowed only a few seconds of renewed silence to follow her reprimand
before sighing and folding her hands in front of her. “Now
then, if everyone is over their childishness,” she eyed the
disgruntled hunter warningly, “perhaps we can stop wasting
everyone’s time.”

He
glared stubbornly at her for a moment longer, but at Miroku’s
meaningful cough, he visibly relented by turning back, his expression
barely tolerant.

Satisfied,
Akadansha sat back. “Hunter InuYasha, you participated in the
hunting and the extermination of the rogue youkai that attacked the
city of Tokyo last night?”

He
scowled peevishly. “Do you really think I’d be here if I
hadn’t?”

Akadansha
sent him the one-eyed look that had always had his spine
straightening cautiously. Miroku smacked his staff into the wooden
floor with a jangle, his expression murderous.

The
hanyou sighed. “Yes.”

“The
Council demands a report of your activities.”

He
closed one eye briefly. He hated this part. “Not a lot to
report. Lots of youkai came into the city. I tracked some, I found
them, I killed them.”

“How
many humans were hurt?” The soft, deep voice of Sango’s
father finally spoke up.

“How
should I know? At least some--all the youkai that I tracked last
night had a few snacks. They reeked of human blood.”

“How
many rogues invaded the city?” One of the taiyoukai, a
beautiful, pale-toned female with feline features, questioned him
sharply.

He
rolled his eyes. “A hell of a lot of them. They were low-level,
bugs mostly. More annoying than anything else.”

“And
how did they attack when discovered? Did they swarm chaotically, or
were they organized?”

InuYasha
furrowed his brow as he thought back. He recognized the youkai who
had asked that question. A male water-type with a dignified, regal
bearing. He’d never seen him this animated before. “Oh
they were organized, all right. More so than I would have expected
from their type. They actually tried an ambush on me.”

“Who
attacked first, you, or them?”

That
question, from Miroku’s father this time, was worthy of a
frown. “I did. They didn’t pay any attention to me until
I tried to stop them.”

He
suddenly had their concentrated attention.

“Stop
them from doing what?”

“They
were ransacking the houses in some of the suburbs near the outer part
of the city, going through them one by one.”

Miroku’s
father sat forward, his gaze locked intently on the hunter. “They
were searching the houses? Why? For food?”

His
frown deepened, reflecting carefully. “Not unless they were
looking for a home cooked meal. None of the youkai were eating humans
when I found them. And there were plenty around to eat.”

“So
they were aimless?”

He
hesitated, then shook his head. “No. They were definitely
looking for…” he paled slightly, “something.”

Damn.

He
suddenly had no more patience for their questions. One ear flicked
back towards the door, and he shuffled his feet, debating the merits
of simply walking out. Kagome will be fine. She’s with that
godsdamned wolf, isn’t she? He should be worth something
in an emergency. Somehow, the thought was less than reassuring.

Akadansha’s
eyes half-closed in thought. “Did you sense any unusual jyaki
or any other abnormal presence in the area when you confronted the
rogues?”

That
got his attention. InuYasha shared a quick, suspicious glance with
Miroku. “No. Should I have?”

She
sat back, staring. “Hmm.” She didn’t ask any more
questions.

The
rest of the Council took over, continuing to throw questions at him
for the next few minutes, various members picking up on various
points--how many he battled, how he defeated them, how much damage
was done to the area. He answered each question tersely and
succinctly, eager to be done with this particular chore and check on
Kagome. Then, mercifully, they were done, and he was free.

As
he turned away, Akadansha’s voice echoed around the hall once
again. “I have one more question for you, hunter.” He
paused impatiently, one ear twisting slightly, not bothering to turn
back to face them. “Have you ever heard the name…Naraku?”

Every
muscle in his body seized as white-hot pain pierced through his head,
causing his eyes to shut briefly. His teeth snapped together in his
mouth, so hard that he thought his jaw would break from the strain.
For a second, he couldn’t breathe.

“No.”
He just barely managed to choke the word out.

A
small part of his brain was mildly surprised at the gritty tone of
his voice. In the years since the flashes of pain had first started,
he had become so expert at hiding them that not even his friends
noticed the brief hesitations they caused. But this…this was
the strongest one he’d suffered since that first,
incapacitating flare--shocking his system, and lasting longer than
usual. He sucked in a deep breath, getting air in his lungs.

His
eyes opened to meet Miroku’s stunned, alarmed gaze. Shit.
He’d noticed. “No,” he repeated, clearer this time.
“I’ve never heard the name before.”

Silence stretched out behind him. “Very well then. Enjoy your
personal time, hunter. The Council extends its gratitude.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They
were staring at him.

He
could feel their eyes on his back. Corridor after corridor, through
every turn or passageway as they navigated the confusing maze of
hallways in their bid to leave the castle, they studied him. It was
starting to irritate him. Miroku had followed him silently from the
hall, and Sango had joined them as they exited through the doors,
having heard everything from her place at the back of the room. He
had seen their briefly exchanged looks, but had chosen to ignore
them.

So
far, both Sango and Miroku had been quiet, but they wouldn’t
keep their concern to themselves after they’d left the main
castle. He gritted his teeth again. He didn’t want their
concern. All he wanted now was to get back to the clinic and make
sure that Kagome was safe.

The
questions from the Council had spooked him, making him wonder just
what it was that the rogues had been searching for, and why. He
hadn’t really noticed it when he’d fought them, but they
had been intent on some purpose. What that purpose was,
though…. He shook his head, angry that he couldn’t
figure out what was happening. Dammit, he was still recovering from
the jolt he’d received at that name.

Naraku.

His
claws cut into the skin of his forearms, and the smallest of growls
slipped from his throat.

Why
did he feel so threatened?

“InuYasha….”
Sango hadn’t been able to see anything over the crowd, and the
unusual tension in the air had her bewildered.

He
stopped, and turned to face them. They’d returned to the
castle’s open front porch, pausing just before descending the
wide, long steps. “Look, just lay off. I’m having a bad
day, and I don’t want to talk about it.”

Miroku
still wore the strange look he’d had since the three of them
left the great hall. “InuYasha…you lied to the Council,
didn’t you? That name, Naraku -- you’ve heard it before.”

Sango
let slip a gasp, her eye widening at him.

He
hesitated, a perplexed frown twisting his brows, then he shook his
head. “No. I didn’t lie.”

Miroku
frowned. “But I saw your face when she asked you….You
definitely recognized that name.”

“I
didn’t fucking lie! I’ve never heard that name before.”
He snarled in frustration when Miroku started to protest again. “I
don’t know what you think you saw, but I’m telling you
I’ve never heard that name before!” He subsided abruptly,
glancing away out the corner of his eyes, his expression distant, his
voice a murmur. “It’s true. This is the first time
that I’ve heard of someone called Naraku.”

They
stared at him skeptically, then exchanged another look.

‘What’s
wrong with him?’ Sango mouthed.

Miroku
shrugged. ‘He’s been like this since he met Kagome.’
He mouthed back.

Her
lips parted in a small, knowing ‘Ooooh.’

“Oi!
I’m standing right here, you know!”

They
ignored his indignant growl to stare thoughtfully at the half-demon.
Sango’s brows crinkled. “InuYasha, the Council’s
questions…. When you fought the rogues last night, did you
really notice anything strange about them?”

He
grimaced. “Yeah. They moved together, almost as if they were
all sharing the same mind.”

Sango nodded in agreement. “The ones I exterminated as well.
They fought smarter than youkai of their type usually are, too.
Almost as if they had decided on their moves ahead of time.”

Miroku
drew a deep breath and closed his eyes in thought. When he opened his
eyes, he focused wandered between his two friends. “Well, the
questions they’ve asked everyone have all been basically the
same--number, movement, and motivation. If I had to guess, I’d
say they were looking for some sort of organization among the lesser
youkai who have been causing the trouble.”

InuYasha’s
eyes narrowed, but he remained silent.

Sango
looked thoughtfully at her fiancé. “The rogues working
together? But the ones that have been attacking the city aren’t
really capable of organized movement like that.”

“They
never have been,” Miroku agreed, his gaze training
speculatively on InuYasha. “At least, not on their own.”

They
stood for several moments before Miroku shrugged again. “At
any rate, we should try to find out more about this Naraku. Sango and
I will find out as much information as we can from our fathers, and
InuYasha, you should--”

He
nodded. “I know. I’ll ask a few questions and see what I
hear.”

“Discreetly,
InuYasha.”

“Yeah,
yeah. I’ll try not to cause you any trouble, lazy monk.”
He turned away from them, heading for the stairs. “In the
meantime, I’m getting the hell out of here. Kagome is still at
the clinic with that stupid wolf.”

Miroku
smirked. “How is the great leader of the wolves?”

“Still
an asshole who deserves to die.” InuYasha snarled back
instantly. “I should have killed the damn bastard the first
time he ever interfered in one of my hunts.” He glared at
Sango. “You could have warned me about that weak-kneed coward
sniffing around Kagome, you know.”

Sango
looked surprised. “Me?” She looked thoughtful. “I
guess I just forgot. Kagome never talks about him, so it just didn’t
occur to me to say anything.” She blinked, and her expression
turned indignant. “Besides, since when am I obligated to tell
you anything about my best friend? You just met her.”

That
gave him pause, and he blinked. Then he snorted. “Whatever.”

Miroku
shook his head musingly, following InuYasha and Sango as they headed
for the front gates. “A strange day indeed. Maybe we should
have asked Sesshoumaru if he knows what troubles the Council so
much.”

InuYasha
didn’t even bother to look back at him. “Keh. If you
think you can get anything useful out of that pretty bastard --”
He stopped short, his ears flattening, disbelief twisting his
features. “Fuck! Now what?”

Beside him, Sango’s jaw fell in silent surprise. Miroku, two
steps behind them, glanced curiously in the direction they were
staring. He blinked. His dark eyes focused sharply and a thoughtful
frown settled over his features.

Coming
up the wide, shallow steps leading to the old castle was an entourage
of cameras, photographers, and reporters, all lead by one man. He
appeared to be in his late fifties, short in stature and dressed in
an expensive, well-cut suit. His dark hair was silvering elegantly,
and his body aging well. Two younger, well-dressed aides, a woman and
a man with clipboards, hovered in his wake, and a small number of
bodyguards held the most aggressive to a safe distance. The gathering
of television and newspaper reporters that followed him called out
questions as he made his way toward the castle.

InuYasha
couldn’t have cared less, except that the small mass of humans
was blocking his way. His fists clenched in an effort to keep from
clobbering the man leading the pack. DAMN IT! Why the hell
is it so hard to leave this godsdamned place?

Behind
him, Miroku let out a small groan. InuYasha glanced back at his
friend’s displeased frown as he watched the procession draw
closer. “Miroku? Who the hell is this?”

“Hiroya
Nakamura.” Miroku’s tone was thick with dislike, and his
gaze never wavered from the distinguished gentleman approaching them.

Sango
drew in a sharp breath and her stare turned swiftly to Miroku, her
eyes widening. “That’s Nakamura?”

InuYasha
sent them both an irritated look. “Who the hell is Nakamura?”

“He’s been one of the most influential men in the House
of Councillors for the past ten years.” Miroku’s frown
darkened. “He’s also one of the most visible opponents of
the government’s charter with the Alliance. He’s been
speaking out in favor of Alliance ‘reform’ almost his
entire political career. Of course, Nakamura’s version
of reform includes bringing the Alliance under the supervision of the
current Japanese government.”

Sango’s
expression suddenly mirrored Miroku’s. “How did he get in
here? The gates are closed.”

Miroku
grimaced. “He’s also the new head of the Ministry of
Alliance Relations.”

She
looked shocked. “How did that happen?”

“The
former Minister, Adachi, died of a heart attack several months ago.”
His face took on a grim cast. “Nakamura’s been vowing to
push through more government involvement in Alliance affairs since he
took over the position.”

“Feh.”
InuYasha kept a wary, impatient eye on the small wave of humanity
ascending the shallow steps below. “I don’t care who he
is, and I don’t care what he wants. I just want him to get the
fuck out of my way.”

The
reporters were shooting questions at Nakamura at a furious pace as
they chased him up the steps.

“Minister,
does this visit have anything to with the serious rogue attacks
within Tokyo last night?”

“Minister
Nakamura, what do you hope to accomplish with your visit to the
Alliance Council today?”

“Minister,
do you hold the Alliance responsible for last night’s attacks?”

As
the Minister drew even with them, the trio edged back, intent on
allowing the spectacle to pass by them. To InuYasha’s utter
disgust, Nakamura chose that moment to turn and face the crowd of
reporters. They quieted abruptly, waiting for his statement.

He
surveyed the group from several stair levels above them, his
expression appropriately grave. “The incidents in the city last
night were tragic indeed, and we mourn the loss of those who died.
But this latest attack has only served to further illustrate the fact
that the Alliance as it now stands has lost its effectiveness as an
organization. As Minister of Alliance Relations, I am calling on both
the Prime Minister and the Council to renegotiate the Alliance’s
charter to bring it and its responsibilities under the authority of
the Japanese government.”

“You
can’t do that.” The quiet intensity of Miroku’s
words drew the surprised attention of everyone gathered on the
steps--including the Minister, who looked shocked to see someone
standing nearby. “The Alliance has always been apart from human
government. It is to keep the Alliance stable. Bringing the Alliance
under the Japanese government would cripple its authority within the
youkai community.”

“And
you are…houshi?” A beautiful young reporter looked him
up and down with undisguised interest as she shoved a microphone in
Miroku’s direction. Sango bristled, but for once, Miroku didn’t
even glance at the attractive woman. He just shook his head, his gaze
trained steadily on Nakamura. “I’m no one. An
insignificant man who speaks only from experience.”

“And
my father speaks only the truth.” One of the two aides spoke
up, handing his clipboard to the woman beside him as he stepped
forward to stand by the Minister. He was young and handsome, with
long black hair tied back in a sleek ponytail and a black business
suit. His manner was calm and very polite. “The attacks on the
city have only increased in recent years, and the Alliance has grown
too secretive and autocratic to do anything about it. To ensure that
it continues to fulfill its purpose, it must be regulated by the
government.”

“Indeed.”
Nakamura puffed up slightly. “ My son Masaki speaks well. For
too long, we have blindly trusted the protection of our citizens from
youkai to an organization run by youkai. We have a
responsibility to make certain they consider the welfare of
humans as well as youkai.”

Sango
glared at the Minister. “The Alliance is run by both
humans and youkai. It’s stance on government has always been
neutral, because the Alliance exists solely to maintain peace between
humans and youkai.”

Nakamura
glanced over the hunter’s revealing uniform, his gaze both
appreciative and condescending, causing Miroku to shift forward
protectively. “The humans on the Council have grown
ineffective. The Alliance and their old ways are failing. We must
find a new way--”

InuYasha
fought the urge to roll his eyes. “Bullshit.” People and
cameras turned with a myriad of clicks and flashes, annoying him
further. “When was the last time you fought off a rogue
youkai?”

“I…beg
your pardon?” The elder Nakamura’s face began to turn
crimson at the rude interruption.

InuYasha
snorted, and strode over to face the Minister. “I’ll bet
you don’t even know how to pick up a sword. Feh. A lot of good
you’ll do protecting your people when the next rogue shows up
looking for a meal. Maybe your regulations will stop them.”
He sneered. “Don’t you get it? The Alliance Council is
made up of humans and youkai for a reason. It’s a
fucking balance. The humans keep the youkai in check, and the youkai
keep the humans in check. If you force them under the human
government, the balance is off. Everyone goes wild.” He turned
away from the Minister.

“But
the youkai have already gone wild. The attacks last night prove
that.”

InuYasha
turned his impatient amber gaze on the younger Nakamura. “And
how many people would have died last night without the hunters
to take out the rogues? You think it woulda been over so fast without
youkai help?” He paused, then shrugged. “Keh. Your
funeral next time.”

He
started down the steps. For some inexplicable reason, the reporters
in front of him parted, allowing him, Sango, and Miroku to pass. He
didn’t stop moving as he called back. “If you think the
human government can do a better job of protecting against the rogues
than the Alliance has for the past five hundred years, try it your
way. Its just more work for me when the rogues go nuts because the
Alliance can’t control them anymore.”

The
Minister blustered, staring after the hanyou and his friends as they
descended the steps. He was furious. “I would only expect a
lapdog of the Alliance to defend its master.”

InuYasha
froze on the stairs.

Slowly,
he turned to glare at the Minister, a deep growl underlining his
words as they floated across the crowd. “Bastard. Don’t
ever make the mistake of thinking that I’m the
Alliance’s anything.” The Minister stepped back at
the acidity of the hanyou’s tone. Smoldering gold stared for
just a moment longer. “Tch! I’m just telling you what
most idiots could see if they looked. Try using your brain
instead of your damn ambition.”

With
that parting comment to the stunned official, and an excited
murmuring from the reporters between them, the monk and the two
hunters left. The current Minister of Alliance Relations was left
silently fuming as his son attempted to rein in the reporters.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I
never knew you were such a brilliant public speaker, InuYasha.”

“Shut
up, monk, before I use you to sharpen my claws.”

Sango
just sighed, grateful that the gates were now in sight. InuYasha was
in the worst mood she’d seen him in for almost a year, and
her…beloved fiancé was taking gleeful advantage,
completely ignoring the fact that his best friend looked angry enough
to rip him raw.

Of
course, the Alliance had always made the hanyou edgy. But for some
reason, today…

“Maybe
we should have you speak for the Alliance the next time we
have to hold a press conference. It should be soon, because unless I
miss my guess, we’ll all be on tonight’s evening news.”

The
hunter’s response was a barely restrained snarl. Sango sighed
again, seriously considering letting InuYasha alone when he finally
decided to cut Miroku in half. She had to admit, he’d done an
amazing job of holding his temper so far. Somehow, he’d managed
to avoid three potential fights--four if you counted whatever had
happened with Kouga and Kagome at the clinic.

It
was just so…unusual for him to back away from
confrontation.

She
stopped in the deserted courtyard, frowning at his back. He’d
been heading for the exits from almost the moment that he arrived. It
was almost as if he didn’t want to fight because a brawl would
keep him from leaving sooner. Now, why…. “InuYasha?”

He
sent her an impatient look over his shoulder, not stopping his long
strides for the gates. “What?”

“Why
are you in such a hurry to leave?”

“I
need to check on Kagome.” He didn’t even bother to deny
it.

Sango
rolled her eyes. Miroku stopped as well--suddenly realizing, she
imagined, that he still had things to do at the Alliance before he
could leave. He sent her a meaningful glance. He’d noticed
InuYasha’s strange behavior as well.

A
devious smirk crossed the monk’s face, and he jerked his head
at InuYasha’s retreating back. She raised her eyebrows in
question as he turned back to the hanyou. “Don’t forget
about Naraku,” he called out across the deserted courtyard.

To
Sango’s amazement, InuYasha stopped, flinching slightly. In an
instant, he was in front of Miroku, his claws fisted in the front
material of his robes. “What the hell do you mean by that?”

Miroku
looked blandly down at his robes. “I’m just reminding you
not to forget about finding out what you can about him.” He
looked up, innocent amazement widening his eyes. “What did you
think I meant?”

InuYasha
released him instantly, an almost indiscernible red flushing his
features. “I know that. I won’t forget.” He looked
uncomfortable. “I have to go out of the city for a while, ok? I
just…want to make sure Kagome’s safe first.”

Sango
frowned, but Miroku just nodded serenely, dusting at his robes. “Let
us know if you find anything out.”

“InuYasha…”

The
look he sent the huntress told her he’d just about had it.
“What?”

“You’d
tell me if Kagome was in some kind of danger, wouldn’t you?”

He
stilled, giving her a hard, indecipherable stare before he turned his
back on both of them. “Look, nothing will happen to Kagome.”
His tone softened. “I swear it.”

Sango
hesitated, sharing another glance with Miroku before nodding mutely.
Without another word, they watched as he finally made his way back
through the Alliance gates, not even glancing at the guards as they
allowed him out.

Miroku
waited until they crashed closed once again before he sighed. “Things
around here have gotten interesting.”

Sango nodded her agreement. “I have the feeling they’re
going to get worse.” She glanced towards the castle, where the
politician and his entourage had disappeared.

Miroku
followed her glance, then shrugged carelessly. “I have the
feeling you may be right. But, there’s nothing we can do at the
moment except let things play out as they will.”

Sango
sighed with reluctant acceptance of his conclusion. Together, they
headed back towards the cluster of buildings behind the pagoda. His
hand drifted along her back, skimming her spine as she walked beside
him, deep in thought. It settled casually on her bottom, rubbing
gently.

Her
jaw clenched as she sent him a narrow look from the corner of her
eyes.

SLAP!

Miroku
fell back, landing hard on his back from the force of her blow, his
staff clattering onto the stones beside him. He groaned, then sent
her an all-too-familiar look of wounded innocence. “Sango, my
love, I was only….”

She
glared down at him. “Save it, monk. You know the rules. Never
when we’re in public.” She whirled and stormed off with a
huff. “You’re lucky that’s all I did, you hopeless
pervert.”

She
managed to sustain her glower until she was just out of sight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Please
enjoy, and let me know what you think--concrit welcome. ^_^ I truly
appreciate you guys who take the time to say you liked it, or let me
know how to improve. I read every one, and I know all your names.
Thanks.

And
a serious extra special thanks to Blackberry. I had such an
incredibly hard time with this chapter, and you really brought it
into perspective for me. You rock!!

Hopefully
the next chapter won’t take nearly so long.

~cheers,
Quill
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Waiting on a Wish