As Death Gives Life

Chapter 39 – Rumors of War

A/N: I would like to thank Tainted for nominating ‘As Death Gives Life’ for Best Drama and Best Original Character - Anubis, in the IYFG 4th Qtr. 2005 Contest. I’m really flattered, especially for the nomination of Anubis for Best OC. The InuGod sends you his deepest gratitude.

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At the same time that a lone rider arrived at the huge front gates of the Western Demon Lord, Kebechet looked up from the yellowed scroll of ancient spells and magic. Slowly, she rolled the precious scroll up and set it aside. A dark shiver traced its way over her spine. A foreboding of dark days ahead. A feeling like none she had ever experienced in all of her sixteen years.

The lovely young hime gracefully arose from her thick cushion and stood to full height. Her long pearl white hair uncurled from its resting place behind her as she stood. Her beautiful blue eyes narrowed when the darkness touched her senses, and absently she pulled her full bottom lip between her teeth. A habit derived from her eternally lovely mother, Kagome. A habit that only appeared when Kebechet was so deep in thought that nothing, not even her years of regal training, could distract her from.

Something wicked this way comes.

Kebechet shook it off and decided to seek out Father Sesshomaru. Whatever was coming, he would need to be warned.

Sesshomaru stood holding the parchment in his elegant clawed hands. A letter, sent urgently from the lands of the human princess Kaori, daughter to Lord Tadahiro. The name seemed familiar to him, and it was not until he began to read further that he remembered the hime. He and Kagome had met the woman many years ago on route back to the Western Lands. Her soldiers sought death at his hands for disrespecting his miko. By Kagome’s plea, he had then spared the insolent soldier, and the princess personally thanked them for not killing the man.

It seems that the princess is now, sixteen years later, repaying her debt of gratitude. The letter held dark suspicions. Rumors of war were circulating in her lands. A war against the West. His West. It would appear that there has been a recent string of youkai military passing through her lands headed toward the South. Several small human villages in her domain had suffered under the call to arms, and the princess, under the directive from her elderly father, was offering their allegiance in battle. How very noble of them.

As if he needed assistance from a flock of humans.

Never-the-less, the offer was respectable and issued in good faith. The information sent would be paramount if indeed an enemy was seeking to advance upon his lands. The imbeciles. Who could possibly think to win a battle waged against the mightiest youkai kingdom in all of Japan?

Only an imbecile, that is who.

Kebechet flowed into his study in a flurry of fine white linen. As much as he did not appreciate the styles of her Egyptian origins being worn openly by his lovely young daughter, he could not deny that they added to her air of mystery and magick. In addition to the stark white of the sheer materials she always wore much gold. All gifts from her Father Anubis, curse his soul. His daughter was fast growing into a magnificent young woman.

“Father Sesshomaru, I have had a terrible precognition of darkness over our lands,” Kebechet relayed directly. She, like her father, did not believe in making light of things requiring immediate assistance. She went straight to the point. Sesshomaru, in turn, nodded in understanding and she then noticed the parchment clutched in his hands. It gave off a feeling of loyalty, but the darkness clung to it heavily.

“There, in your hands... you have knowledge of this bleak coming,” Kebechet stated without asking. Sesshomaru again nodded to his daughter. “I do. It is a letter sent urgently from a neighboring human lord,” Sesshomaru replied in his ‘this is business’ tone. None of his usual warmth for his family greeted her this day, for trouble loomed in the distance for them all.

Sesshomaru took any risk to his family very, very seriously.

He relayed to Kebechet, wise beyond her years, of the warnings in the letter. She was silent until he was finished, and then she pulled her long slender fingers through her soft luxurious hair. “Tis a battle they will lose, but one that will be fought on our ground none-the-less,” she stated with determination and sadness. This war would come to pass, and many of their youkai brethren would perish. It always pained her heart to witness any waste of life.

Sesshomaru grunted his acknowledgement of her mystic foresight, and he fully trusted her word that there would be war. A war against him and his people. “Kebechet, speak of this to no one. I shall send our most trusted operative to amass further information into this gathering of warriors. I want to know who is seeking their death at my hands, and when I find out, they will pay dearly,” Sesshomaru growled, dismissing her.

“Jaken! Jaken!” he barked. In just seconds the imp appeared at his doorway with a low bow. “Yes my Lord? What is it that you need, master?”

“Fetch Shippo.”

“Hai master!” Jaken croaked as he turned to scurry away in search of the fox.

Sesshomaru settled into his cushion behind his low desk to await the arrival of Shippo. Again he stared at the parchment in his hand, as if some piece of this mystery would be solved within the words. By the Gods. A war. It had been many years since an enemy dared to rise up against him. In those years of peace he had built a real life. A family. A loving and devoted mate. Two strong, handsome children. Kebechet and his son, Sakuma, now only five years old. Still just a toddler, knowing nothing but play and happiness.

Youkai War.

Not something that he wished for his family to see. It was a hard, bloody thing that sucked the warmth from your very soul. The thought of his Kagome, with her kind heart, being witness to such destruction was not a pleasant thought.

‘I knew this day would come.’

It had, after all, been foretold by Anubis that a great war would befall his lands. A war that would cause the fall of his House. A war that Anubis said would end in his death.

The old dog also said that with his child by his side destiny would turn and he would not lose this war.

Kebechet.

He shuddered to think that his precious daughter would be forced to participate in their defensive. If he could, he would order them, Kagome, Rin, Kebechet and Sakuma, away to a safe place until the battle was ended. Unfortunately the words of the InuGod came back to haunt him. Anubis foretold of this war many years ago, and he also said that he, Sesshomaru, would die and his house would fall, unless Kebechet was by his side. He could not send her away. He could not risk the fall of his house. If his leadership were unearthed, his lands and people would fall into the hands of the enemy, which would mean death to many under his rule.

Just then, he caught the scent of his mate and son. He folded the letter, and put it away. There was no need in causing her worry before the facts were gathered. A soft knock announced them and he called for her to enter. She slid the door open, and both she and Sakuma, stepped inside. Sakuma bowed to his father before launching himself into his lap.

His son was a powerful mix of Kagome’s unearthly magick and his own mighty youkai blood. His hair was, unfortunately, silver. The same color as his wretched uncle Inuyasha. Sakuma also did not bare the pointed youkai ears, nor did he have ears like his uncle. Sakuma, instead, had sculpted ears like his mother. The boys hearing was not as sharp has his own, or Inuyasha’s, but it went far beyond the human capacity. In reality the boy had no need of canine hearing, as his natural abilities could detect the presence of any living thing for miles around. As far as he could tell, it was a strange spin-off from Kagome’s miko senses and his own youkai senses. At times it could be quite the nuisance.

The boy looked up to him with a beaming smile, which he was tempted to correct. For a male of power in these tumultuous times it would not do to appear so... happy. Unfortunately, Kagome refused to agree completely with this theory. Sakuma’s large golden eyes shown of nothing but adoration and trust as he stared up into his father’s face, and Sesshomaru could not stop the warmth in his heart from the sight.

“And what brings you here, my son?” Sesshomaru asked.

“Mother felt the need to seek you out,” Sakuma replied before turning to fiddle with a wooden carving on his desk. Sesshomaru turned his attention to his mate who still looked as fresh and beautiful as the day they met. “Yes? You wish to see me, Kagome?”

Kagome smiled warmly and shrugged her shoulders. “Well, I know it’s silly, but I suddenly got a strange vibe that you were feeling... off. So I came to cheer you up!”

“Indeed,” he replied with humor in his voice. “The simple sight of your lovely face is always enough to brighten the darkest of my days.”

“Mine too, father! My face too, right?” Sakuma inquired with all of his childish need for his fathers love and attention. Sesshomaru rubbed his hand affectionately atop his son’s head. “Of course you too, Sakuma, my strong son.”

“I am getting strong, aren’t I father? Look at what I can do!” Sesshomaru watched, finding it amusing that his son wished to show off his talents, and was soon amazed by what he saw. Sakuma was able to call forth a green glowing in his fingertips. The sweet smell of the Dakkasou permeated his nose, and it was then that he learned that his son would one day produce the poison claw.

“Very impressive, my son. The Dakkasou is an inherited trait from the ancestry of my mother. You will one day grow to be a powerful force in these lands,” he praised, then added with an icy tone, “Lands that Will Not Fall.”

His words sounded sharp, and caused Kagome to wonder what had brought out the stiff response? She looked at her mate curiously and he met her gaze with somber gold eyes. Something was definitely wrong. Kagome went to his side and wrapped her arms around his neck and shoulders. She nuzzled her cheek against his neck and kissed him on the smooth skin just behind his ear. “When you are ready to talk about it, I’ll be here to listen.”

Sesshomaru made no response, he simply enjoyed her closeness. She knew him better than any other, and it was obvious that she noticed his inner turmoil.

Kagome again, nuzzled her cheek into Sesshomaru’s smooth neck and sighed. Being close to him like this always gave her a sense of peace, and she hoped that he would gain a little as well. Apparently something was very wrong and he was trying to keep it from her. Not that it would work very well, because she always got him to talk in the end. After all these years she had learned his ways pretty well.

“I love you,” She said, before giving him a peck on the cheek and pulling away. “Come on, Sakuma, your father has important lordly business to take care of.” She held her hand out to her pup and the youngster hopped from his father’s lap.

On the way out of the door she passed by Shippo. He flashed her his trademark debonair smile and ruffled Sakuma’s silver hair. “Hey kid! What’s going on?” Sakuma acted perturbed that his older ‘brother’ mussed his smooth tresses, but ended up smiling none-the-less. “Konnichiwa Kagome. How are you feeling today?”

“Fine a guess. I think me and Sakuma will go find Kebechet and take a nice walk around the grounds. Maybe we will go visit the Temple of Anubis and say hello to Abasi and Darwishi.” Kagome replied and Sakuma squeezed her hand with childish glee.

“That sounds like fun. I would love to join you, but Sesshomaru-sama needs to talk to me,” Shippo replied. He waved good-bye to his surrogate mother and brother, then stepped into Sesshomaru’s study. He bowed to the taiyoukai who took him in and raised him as one of his own.

Sesshomaru was more than just caretaker to Shippo. He owed much to Sesshomaru. The demon lord had personally spent many hours of training and strategy instruction with him through the last five years. It was a privilege that few had access to, and Shippo was well aware of the advantage that he now had over the average trained warrior.

Magic and deception was his greatest achievements. Sesshomaru had already trusted him to several highly sensitive missions, and each time Shippo had proven his worth. Years of battling fierce, bloodthirsty demons alongside of Inuyasha had given him a strong backbone, which helped to infiltrate the enemy’s strongholds with little fear.

“Shippo,” Sesshomaru greeted. “Have a seat. I have much to discuss with you.”

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Cloaked in black, Shippo made his way through the alleged enemy encampment. It had taken him just over two weeks to make his way this far South, gathering information and researching leads. Now he was witness to the possible force rising against his lord’s lands and he stood for a moment in awe.

The warriors gathered here were numerous beyond his imagination. Even the troops of the Western legion did not compare in numbers to this. On the bright side, however, they appeared mostly rebellious drunken oafs with little honor beyond that of the bottle and coin. These would be easily dispatched.

With stealth he made his way to a darkly shadowed area where he had a fairly good overview of the troops. It was apparent from the first glance that these youkai were not beholden to one particular lord, as it seemed to him that everyone of them was fitted with a different suit of armor and carried no emblem of allegiance. He silently thanked Sesshomaru for the grueling hours of training against the onslaught of outside stimuli, because the smells in this place were enough to gag his sensitive nose.

The variety of youkai was vast, but mostly consisted of boar, reptilian, badgers, and a few insects of higher intelligence. From what he could see these fools looked more like a bunch of bandits come together than real soldiers.

Shippo withdrew from his current position to seek out further evidence for Lord Sesshomaru. He skirted unseen around a skirmish between a bear youkai and a boar that both fought for the remaining portion of grub. What the grub was exactly he was rather loath to discover. These guys looked like they would roast up a human just as quickly as a cow.

Numerous rickety tents were scattered about so he utilized the structures in his progression, skillfully ducking from one shadow to the next. Through a heavily populated area he cast a transformance spell which gave him the appearance of being a boar. He pushed down the unease, hoping that the use of magic would not alert any of them to his presence. Getting caught by this outfit would not end prettily.

He headed for the largest tent. That would be the locale of the leaders, whether it be a general or subordinate. There he would have to tread carefully for they would be well guarded. Another skirmish between a group of youkai caused him to re-route his path in order to avoid the flying claws and gnashing teeth, but with patience he arrived within sight of the large white structure.

Crouching down in a dark spot behind a pile of supplies and food goods, Shippo watched the movement of those around the tent. There were guards on all sides. Kitsune guards.

‘Damn.’

As much as he wanted to chance it, he knew better. He would do Sesshomaru no good if he were captured, and he had little doubt that the fox youkai warriors would detect any magic used as a cover. He also couldn’t risk trying to use the darkness because their senses would detect another fox not of their clan. Hopefully he could spot the leader coming or going from the tent before he had to take his leave.

After four hours of crouching in complete silence and immobility, Shippo realized that those within the tent did not intend to make themselves known. Occasionally a servant would come and go, bringing in foods and water, but nothing of importance. This mission was a bust from this point on. He would have to be content with listening to the ramblings of the youkai in the mass. Maybe he could piece together enough information to discover when the attack was planned.

After another two hours Shippo was ready to take his leave. He had enough to go on. Enough for Sesshomaru to prepare a defensive, and from the look of these idiots they would fall prey to the expertise of the Western Armies with little effort on their part. It would be bloody, and lives would be lost, but he had the utmost confidence that the West would be victorious against this foe.

The only thing that concerned him was the fragment of a conversation that he caught between a couple of badger youkai.

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Sesshomaru listened until Shippo had completed his report. He sighed and pushed back the fury that threatened to explode in his chest. Now was not the time to give in to a fit of temper, though it perturbed him deeply that the South would think to rise up against him.

“How relevant do you feel the badger’s conversation could be to our defense?” Sesshomaru asked.

Shippo made a gesture of uncertainty. “It’s hard to say, my lord. The badger told his comrade that the battle may be lost, but with allies like these, the war would be won.” Shippo rubbed his hand over his chin in frustrated thought. “It’s hard to say whether they were talking about soldiers already in the encampment, or outside forces. That is as close as I could come to anything pointing to further assistance to their cause, whatever that may be.”

Sesshomaru replied with an aggravated grunt. “Yes. It was a strategic move against us to place the fox on guard around the leaders. They would be the first to recognize any magic being utilized near their charge.” Sesshomaru stood and Shippo quickly stood as well. “You may retire, Shippo. You have done well.”

Shippo bowed low and turned to take his leave when Sesshomaru-sama stopped him. “Shippo.” Shippo turned and said, “Yes, Sesshomaru-sama?”

“At first light you will travel to the village of Edo and inform Inuyasha of the events unfolding.” Sesshomaru did not miss the look of surprise that passed over the boys’ face. As much as he hated to do it, it had to be done. He added, “This Sesshomaru simply does not wish to listen to that mutt whine about being left out after this is all over.” With a grin, Shippo once again bowed to the taiyoukai, before heading out of the door in a flurry of black.

Sesshomaru made his way out of his study and to the military training grounds. After hearing the extent of the army gathering against his House, he would need to formulate a strict strategy against them. It was time to call a gathering of military minds.

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A/N: Well folks the next chapter is going to be a challenge for me. I’ve written battles before, but nothing of the magnitude that will go into the next chapter. This war will culminate in one huge battle that will be calling many different characters into play, and I’ll admit that I’m a little nervous about writing it. So wish me luck, because I’m going to need it! LOL! Two chapters to go!