Bonds of Betrayal

Yep, here's another one. I hope you all find it a bit better than the last chapter since there really wasn't much context in the last chapter. That was all jus background information and things. This one should be a lot more interesting I think. And wait until you see the changes I've made in Kagome, Rin, Shippo, and even Miroku. They are all warriors now, even little Rin can fight.


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Chapter 2

Such Changes

Koenma sat in his office, nervously awaiting the delay of his spirit team, wishing they would hurry and arrive. Something was wrong with his young miko. Something bad had happened he could feel it. The look in her eyes when she’d gazed at him. She looked so...sad. And she hadn’t even been talking. It was the dog demon at her side and the monk that had done most of the talking but Koenma’s eyes had never once wavered off of the miko who had held such life in her before.

It was if someone had sucked her soul out...again. Kagome had been meeting with him every time she came back from the past, informing him of what was happening and how close they were to finding Naraku and finishing that damn jewel. She was always so bright and cheery, her countenance never wavering once in the time that he knew her.

Koenma glanced up when the first of his detectives walked in, a gloomy and foreshadowing look on his face, immediately halting the 18 year old boy in his tracks just as he was about to scream something absurd. “Please, Yusuke, don’t start. For once this is a matter that is of the utmost importance. Please no hostility.”

Yusuke immediately caught the warning signs and the red flags rang out all throughout his mind, sensing that something was terribly wrong. Snapping his mouth shut he nodded. “Of course, Koenma, I can tell something is wrong.” Koenma sent him a grateful smile as two red heads walked through the door. Kurama caught the tension in the air and stiffened, wondering what had caused such a gloomy reaction. He paused long enough to stare inquiringly in Yusuke’s direction when he noticed the boy didn’t appear to be up to his normal antics.

Kuwabara sensed it and frowned hurrying over to Yusuke’s side. “What’s going on, Urameshi, why’s everyone so...off?”

Yusuke turned to Kuwabara and shrugged. “I have no idea, but whatever it is, is giving me bad vibes.”

The last demons to arrive sensed the tension as well, noticing that Koenma seemed to be mulling over something. He hadn’t glanced up once when they walked through.

“What’s going on?” Yoko’s eyes narrowed.

“Please, take a seat, Yoko,” Koenma sighed. His eyes zeroed in on his newest detective and nodded to him as well. No one had ever seen or heard Koenma acting so serious and all went on red alert. “Kuronue, Hiei, please get settled, we’re going to be here for awhile. I have some...distressing news and I’m not really sure where to start.”

Hiei hned and moved into his own personal corner, never once making it seem like he was bothered. Kuronue and Yoko exchanged glances and went to stand by Kurama who was talking quietly to Yusuke and Kuwabara.

“Detective, Kurama,” Yoko nodded while Kurama simply turned his head and glanced nervously at Koenma.

“Hello,” Kurama greeted.

“Do you two know what’s causing Koenma to act so out of character?” Kuronue asked bluntly.

“I’ve seen Koenma act a lot of things, but I’ve never seen him looking so...” He searched for the right words until Yusuke answered for him.

“Desperate,” he concluded. “When I walked in Koenma was mumbling to himself about something being wrong and that something had changed.”

“Changed?” Yoko and Kuronue asked together.

As they watched Koenma seemed to shake himself out of a daze and sat down at his desk, transforming into his teenage form suddenly, startling all. He hadn’t used that form in quite awhile and only used it when he was dealing with serious matters. “Thank you. I’m glad you were able to meet on such short notice,” Koenma began.

“Enough of this, Koenma, just tell us what our mission is so we can kill it,” Hiei growled out.

“I’m not sure it’s that simple, Hiei,” Koenma muttered. “Just please, sit still...we’ll be having some...guests arriving soon. They requested to speak with us about a matter of the utmost importance.”

“Guests?” Various voices asked.

“Demon guests?” Kurama asked eyes brimmed with curiosity.

Koenma nodded hesitantly.

Suddenly an ogre ran in the room and whispered in the prince’s ear. “Sir, the miko and her companions have arrived?”

Koenma nodded, choosing to ignore the startled gasps of the demons who clearly heard the word miko. “Show them to my office immediately and make sure they are given the respect they deserve.

“A miko? You’re bringing a miko here?” A shocked Yoko asked, wondering if maybe he should be leaving now. He knew mikos had the ability to purify demons and wasn’t particularly looking forward to that just yet.

Koenma glanced at him and almost smirked. “You don’t have to worry, Yoko, she won’t hurt you.”

“There’s always that chance that she would,” Kuronue muttered.

Koenma’s hazel eyes reflected humor for a few seconds as he flicked his gaze to the bat demon. “Not this one. She’s...different.”

A knock at the door sounded, interrupting any more comments or questions and all the demons present could clearly feel the energy beginning to amount. The doors opened and in stepped an ogre, closely followed by a group of people.

The team waited on bated breath as the first of the group appeared, shocking them all.

A tall, obviously very powerful, inu youkai stepped through first. His very presence was intimidating to even Kuronue, Yoko, Hiei, and Kurama as his golden gaze quickly zeroed in on all the demons present. He gave a slight growl in warning as he noticed the prying eyes. The demon was wearing very expensive looking robes, colored in red and black. He had sharp metal spikes on both shoulders, the armor of his father’s, and he carried two swords at his side. He had markings on his face, reminiscent of the demons of old. He had a black crescent moon upon his forehead as well, signifying his rank as leader and Lord of the Western Lands. He had a long, furry tale resting over the armor on his right shoulder.

What startled them the most about this demon was the little inu demoness who clung to his leg like a second skin. Her eyes were bright with curiosity, though they were still guarded more than a child her age should be, as she looked around the room at everyone. She walked close to her father’s side and word a kimono exactly like her father’s. She also had a short sword strapped to her side and a staff on her back. Her markings were exactly the same as the older dog demon’s and she had a black tale over her shoulder like her father.

The next man to step into the room was impressive as well and gave off quite an intimidating air to him as well, purple eyes guarded and heavy with the look of one who had seen too much. He was clearly a monk, although demon energy radiated from him as well, though he carried no demon features. He was dressed in black robes, layered exactly like his old clothes. He had an earring in one ear and carried a sword on his right hip and two scythes on his left. In his left hand he held a brilliant white golden staff which seemed to radiate some type of power. His hands kept twitching protectively over his hip as if waiting for a chance to strike if need be.

The next person to step through the doorway was a rusty-colored kitsune with a deadly look in his aqua eyes. He was about as tall, perhaps a few inches shorter than Hiei and his red hair was left hanging down around his shoulders, falling into his eyes boyishly although he didn’t look like a boy. His stance was that of a warrior as he too carried a sword, though his was strapped to his back. He was wearing a blue fighting kimono with no designs what so ever. What was strange was that he also had the same markings as both inu demons. But how was that possible? The younger kit was a full kitsune, not a full dog demon.

The last of Koenma’s guests to step through the door took all their breaths away. She was very beautiful indeed, but it was the look in her eyes that pierced so heavily in their souls. She held such sorrow and heartbreak that it was hard to look into those beautiful blue eyes without feeling the same emotions. What startled them the most was that she was a full inu demon and still carried the power of a miko. She was tall, about as tall as the monk, with crisp heavenly blue eyes. She was heavily armored, wearing a black and silver kimono, with Sesshomaru’s old spiky piece over her left shoulder. She had two swords strapped in an x across her back and two swords on her hips as well. She had a black whip coiled over her left hip and Yoko was sure he caught the glint of spikes on the whip as she walked by him. She had a golden headband on her head, the point coming to rest in between her forehead as a silver jewel hung down to rest on the bridge of her nose.

Koenma let out a gasp upon seeing Kagome again and stood up. He crossed over to her, ignoring the warning signs from Sesshomaru as his eyes flashed should the prince dare to hurt his sister. Kagome watched the young prince with saddened eyes, stopping just two feet from his desk.

Koenma stepped towards her and bowed, startling all present of his respect of her. “Kagome-sama,” he whispered in awe reaching out to touch her markings. “What happened to you?” He asked gently and Kagome’s eyes filled with tears, though no one could see them, as Koenma reached out and embraced the woman.

Kagome stood frozen for a few seconds as every one watched to see what she would do. A small smile crept over her face as her long arms came up to wrap around the prince of Spirit World. They stood there for a few minutes, both groups eyeing each other before the monk reacted first.

The demoness pulled back a moment later and turned to view the room, raising an eyebrow skeptically.

“Ahem, yes, Kagome, why don’t you introduce us to your companions before we start,” Koenma suggested and Kagome’s eyes widened. She shook her head and some of the others too offense thinking she thought herself too far above them. When she didn’t speak Koenma turned wide eyes onto the miko who never used to stop talking. His mouth opened and closed and decided to do it himself.

“Ah yes,” he said nervously. “Lady Kagome, these are my spirit detectives that I’ve mentioned form time to time.” Kagome nodded her head warily as Koenma pointed them all out. “That’s Yusuke,” he pointed to a tall black haired human boy. Kagome looked into his eyes and knew right away that although this boy was human he had seen much in his young life. His eyes were guarded, though alight with curiosity and annoyance.

“Yo,” he said and she nodded to him.

“That’s Kuwabara standing next to him,” And Kagome nodded to him as well. He seemed a bit intimidated by her so she tried to smile at him when he said hello.

“The other red head and the silver kitsune are Kurama and Yoko Kurama.” Kagome turned to them and quirked her head. They had the same name? Were they twins or something? They must have noted her inquisitive gaze for the silver one graced her with an amused smile.

“Yes, we have the same name…I guess you could say Kurama is sort of my reincarnation of sorts,” he explained elegantly and she still looked quite confused though she looked at the red haired Kurama with a sad light in her eyes, as if she knew how hard it was to be considered a reincarnation.

But she nodded anyway.

“Standing next to him is Kuronue…Yoko’s former partner?”

“Partner?” Shippo asked skeptically. These two looked like a dangerous pair by themselves and he knew the power of a silver kitsune. He didn’t necessarily want his mother getting hurt again, especially if these two were bandits like they looked to be.

“Bandits,” Kuronue answered simply. He seemed a little surprised when Kagome’s aura flared a bit and she stepped back into Sesshomaru, regarding the two thieves with weary eyes. She shook herself off after a moment and decided to trust them for now. If Koenma trusted them enough to let them be on his team then she would for the moment. So she stepped forward and approached Kuronue and Yoko cautiously. She bowed elegantly and smiled gently, pleased when they bowed back.

“Er right,” Koenma continued shakily. “The last one is Hiei.”

Hiei glared at the new comers and was shot several glares in return. He let out an hn and dismissed them all. Kagome looked confused for a moment before shrugging.

“Gentleman this is Lady Kagome….” He paused wondering what he should tell them. He glanced at Kagome and was pleased when she nodded. “She is the guardian of the Shikon no Tama.

Several gasps followed, as Yoko and Kuronue turned to stare at the miko. She shrunk back slightly but regarded them both with cool eyes.

“What’s the Shikon no Tama? And who are you guys?” Yusuke demanded, glaring at the dog demon. Sesshomaru let out a tiny growl, warning him not to over step his grounds.

“The Shikon no Tama is legendary,” Yoko remarked. “It was said to have been burned with the last miko who wielded it.” No wonder she stiffened up all of a sudden. She must have thought we’d try to steal the jewel if we knew.

His eyes met and held Kagome’s as she hesitantly nodded, her eyes flashing with some unknown emotion.

“That’s correct, Yoko,” Koenma agreed. “Though I have to say I don’t really know who her companions are as I’ve never met any of Lady Kagome’s friends.”

“Ano...forgive us, Koenma,” Miroku started politely. “I am the monk, Miroku. That is Lord Sesshomaru and his daughter Rin. Beside me is Shippo...Kagome’s son.” Yoko’s jaw dropped. The kitsune was her son? He glanced at Shippo and noticed him looking around the room before realizing he was being watched. His aqua eyes clashed with Yoko’s and he gave a slight start before closing his mouth and glaring. Yoko glared right back and was surprised when the kitsune merely tossed his head and stepped close to his mother’s side. Yoko watched the demoness take a worried glance between him and his son before drawing Shippo into a tight embrace and growling slightly at Yoko, as if telling him to back off.

“Sesshomaru?” Kurama murmured. He turned to the elegant dog demon. “Weren’t you the Lord of the Western Lands during the Feudal Era?”

Sesshomaru growled and tossed his hair arrogantly. “This Sesshomaru is still a lord...but we don’t have time for this foolish pleasantry. Monk, explain.”

Miroku rolled his eyes but nodded and began the tragic tale of the Shikon no Tama and all the lives it touched and destroyed. (I’m not going to go into the whole thing. If you are reading an Inuyasha fic and still have no idea what the show is about then you should probably get with the program.) He was coming to the end when he paused wondering how he should proceed with this. Kagome wasn’t over it and he had to admit, he wasn’t either.

“So what happened?” Koenma asked. “Why are you all here now, what happened to the hanyou and the demon slayer, and why did you choose now to contact me. You know I would have sent my team earlier if I knew you were having such troubles,” Koenma commented and Kagome raised her head and smiled gently at his kindness.

Miroku and Shippo exchanged glances with Sesshomaru and almost subconsciously moved closer to Kagome as she closed her eyes and leaned back against her brother.

“That damn half breed betrayed us that’s what!” Shippo suddenly burst out, eyes flashing red with rage as everyone jumped back. Rin jumped back with a squeak. She had never seen her friend look so mad before. She moved forward and wrapped her arms around his neck in a comforting hug as Shippo burrowed into her arms, purring to her as if to say he was sorry for scaring her.

“Shippo,” Miroku murmured reaching forward and placing a reassuring hand on the pissed off kitsune. He smiled timidly. “I’m sorry about Shippo’s out burst, but what he said was the truth. Inuyasha and Sango betrayed us. How they did...well,” he glanced at Sesshomaru who was holding Kagome tightly in his arms as she looked on helplessly. “You’ll have to ask Kagome or Sesshomaru as they suffered the brunt of the betrayal.”

Yoko looked at the red haired kitsune a sympathetic look in his eyes.

“Why don’t you say something, woman?” Hiei suddenly demanded, noticing that Kagome had yet to say anything. “What’s the matter, don’t think we’re worthy of speaking in our presence?” Kagome’s face whitened and she let out a tiny whimper most of them missed. She moved back into the safety of Sesshomaru’s arms as Shippo darted forward and slammed the apparition up against a wall, knife held tightly against his neck. Shippo leaned forward growling in outrage as he whispered in the apparition’s ear. “I suggest you keep your mouth shut around my mother. Why she chooses not to speak is none of your business and she is under no obligation to tell you either.”

Kurama was torn between helping his friend and letting it be. Hiei’s mouth tended to run away with him when he did not understand something or he was angered. Maybe this would teach him some patience. Still he sighed and stepped forward, placing a timid hand on the younger kitsune’s shoulder.

“Please excuse my friend,” Kurama murmured quietly. “Hiei has a tendency to act before he thinks. I assure you he did not mean to offend you or your mother.” Shippo calmed down and dropped Hiei, turning to meet the calm, collected gaze of the red fox.

“Thank you,” Shippo murmured. “And I’m sorry for attacking your friend. It’s just that mother’s been through a lot recently and she isn’t really over what happened. None of us are really. And I-.” His voice broke as Kurama nodded in understanding.

“Its okay,” Kurama responded soothingly. “I understand.”

Shippo smiled, glad that at least one of these demons had manners.

“So…what exactly do you want from us, Lady Kagome, Lord Sesshomaru?” Koenma questioned after everyone was settled again.

Sesshomaru and Miroku exchanged glances while Sesshomaru looked less than happy. “We’d like to ask for your aid in the recollection of the jewel and the disposal of the hanyou known as Naraku. We regret to inform you that even at our power levels we still might not have a chance at beating him. Even if we still had the other members of our team it may not have been enough. Mind you, Naraku isn’t all that powerful by himself, he’s more of a coward who prefers sending others to do his dirty work. He is cunning and he is not above playing dirty to get what he wants,” he explained.

Koenma sat down at his desk and looked around the room at his detectives and then looked at the newest arrivals. It was true that they needed help, as well as reinforcements. But at the same time he didn’t want to lose his detectives either. He sighed knowing what he had to do. He stood up again and started to speak. “Okay, here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to make this mission optional. If you so chose to help Lady Kagome and her companions than please do so. If not, you may stay here and continue working for spirit world. It is your choice for now, but please make your choice wisely. That is all.” He turned to Miroku and Sesshomaru. “When will you be leaving again?”

“Tomorrow morning,” Sesshomaru answered his voice deep and emotionless as he answered. “I must get back and check on the state of my lands.”

Koenma nodded and turned to his stunned detectives. Most of them looked troubled and Koenma knew this was going to be a hard decision to make. “Very well, you heard what he said. Meet at her shrine tomorrow.” He dismissed his team and left them at their own devices, all the while praying that they would make the right decision.


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So, what did you all think? Good bad? I hope it wasn't bad and that it caught your interest enough to respond.