Chronicles of the West

Chapter Ninety Seven

Sesshoumaru had been cautious in the planning and execution of his trap. The placement of the blossom key, as it must remain safeguarded at all times. Controlled even if it appeared otherwise. Satoru had left himself open and felt the prodding of Josin. He allowed small images to leak to the other.

The need to move the blossom to a safer place. Locations. Movements. All carefully staged and calculated by the Nordic demon of the west. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha would not carry the bloom themselves, nor would Satoru. Though they would be present as would be expected.

It had fallen to the last person Josin could possibly expect, Taisha. She would take the blossom and carry it beyond the western border. Kagome and the dark priestess had set aside differences long enough to work together. She wasn't all that bad, Kagome admitted, not at all like Tsubaki.

Ayeka stood on the battlements, her armor latched firmly in place as she gazed over the quietness of her family's domain. It would all happen now, she knew. Like before, the days of waiting were drawing to a close. Like before, this enemy was merciless. Would they triumph? Like before?

The softest rustle of wind kissed silks drew her attention but she did not turn. Only one would be here. Strong arms clad in pristine white closed around her, drawing her back against an armor covered chest. "What has you staring into the distance?" Sesshoumaru asked softly.

Ayeka's hand found his and she threaded her tiny fingers through his. "I feel something" she whispered, her voice hushed, "Something I have not felt in long years". Sesshoumaru felt the smallest tremor run through her frame.

Brushing his claws against her cheek lightly, he turned her to face him. "You feel fear" he stated. She did and there was no denying it. She merely held his gaze, and his golden eyes smoldered before her. Their brilliance rivaled by only the sun.

But the sun was fleeing the sky and he remained. Firm and solid. His hands slid over her arms and captured her palms, drawing them upwards. Ayeka stared at her hand in his. So large, so strong. "So big" she murmured, a million precious memories cradled in the expanse of them. The power of the unmatched within them.

Sesshoumaru lifted her face toward his and leaned closer, "These hands are big enough to encompass your world my love, and shelter it…always". Ayeka pressed herself against him, feeling his arms tighten around her. Powerful, strong, kind…safe.

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Josin stared at his sentries, they had just finished giving their report on the movements of the western party. Days had passed and he was aware of their every action. Taisha, the daughter of Sesshoumaru carried the bloom with a small but formidable entourage of men.

Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru had been seen moving with larger numbers of troops a few miles from her location, no doubt scouting for Josin's arrival. His lips curved into a feline smile. How foolish of them. They would not see him coming and Taisha and her men were no match for his might. It was going to be so easy.

Sero and Ridia smiled at one another, no, the west had no idea about Josin's recent rise in power nor were they aware of the existence of Ridia. From a pale haired lump of lifeless flesh to the perfected fighting creation, Ridia was already quite accomplished in killing. Something he took a most unnatural delight in.

Josin rose, "Get the fighters moving, I want them to impeded Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha at all costs. The three of us and the more skilled warriors will go and take the bloom. This battle will be over before it's begun. Ridia, I want Satoru".

Ridia nodded, "And I would like to challenge Sesshoumaru. I hear that his skill is beyond comprehension. I wish to see for myself" he said in low tones. The others chuckled, if anyone might punish Sesshoumaru for his very existence, it would be Ridia.

Targets decided upon, the dark armies took to the air. Mobilizing in such sheer numbers that the sun was blocked and the sky turned dark. Josin hovered below his battalions, watching the mass move as directed. His golden hair whipping in the wind they generated. He smiled, bright fangs flashing. "Yes" he whispered, "Fly and attack. Sap their strength, weaken their resolve"

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Taisha strode through the thick foliage, the blossom in her robes. Flanked by Toga, Satoshi, Tohma and others. They were moving to the guarded shrine in which the bloom would be hidden away. Safeguarded from all. A place that Taima had divined as being most defensible. Lay lines crossed the earth's surface here, lending a vast source of untapped natural power. It would be enough to hold the blossom until it's threat had passed and it withered several decades later.

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Kagome and the dark priestess hung back, following just behind the main party, surrounded by soldiers. "Think it will work?" she whispered. The older woman shrugged, "It has a chance of success" she said, "If they will attack in the open".

Kagome lifted her eyes ahead to see Inuyasha's silver head bounding far ahead. He was tense she knew, wanting to slay this enemy badly. He'd not so lusted for blood since Naraku. She carefully reviewed Sesshoumaru's plan in her mind. Try as she might, she could find no errors, no holes. She hoped that the enemy wasn't hiding some nasty surprises from them, but she was ready just the same. After all, isn't that what enemies did?

She looked to the sky, wishing that Sango and Miroku were with them again. Her heart grew heavy with memories of a shy slayer's smiles, a monk's cursed hand and warped nature. They were here, she realized. Several grandchildren marched with her today. This small thought made her smile.

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Taisha glanced down at the shimmering petals. So much was on the line and while her father had never failed at anything, she still felt uneasy. She cast her glance to the left, where Toga walked. Golden gaze locked ahead, features passive. Perfect, as always.

For five days they marched, camping in the open. And in five days, Josin did not appear. Sesshoumaru could feel him though, that strange taint that curled in the air, just beyond his full comprehension and reach. He'd made certain that they traveled slowly. He could have simply taken flight but he hadn't.

"I am getting damn sick of waiting" Inuyasha griped from the darkened camp site. Sesshoumaru secretly agreed with him, but he was far too disciplined to complain. "He will come soon. Satoru's visions will make it clear that time is of the essence".

Kagome hoped the spell would hold. No one with a tainted heart could touch the blossom and survive the encounter. It was a tricky incantation and one that could very well backfire on them. One would have to have a childlike innocence to hold it, or an impressive holy aura. As it was, Taisha carried it wrapped in protective wards, as a precaution.

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Josin took to the air, his wide wings catching the fading light of day. He had to hurry. They would reach the shrine today and he could take no chance that the blossom was sealed away. With his elemental powers he was capable of channeling the wind in his favor. He moved with devastating speed as did the creation beside him. As near to perfect as a created one could be. He was quite pleased with Ridia.

Long hours of labor and study had paid off in his creation. Silver white hair unfurled in the wind, eyes of pale blue shimmered like chips of ice. He was a copy of Josin, really. Fitted with the same strengths and elemental powers. A most impressive venture. Josin was more than pleased to find that unlike himself, this new one, Ridia, was capable of using alchemy. Aside from inheriting Josin's thirst for power, he also enjoyed similar tastes. In fact, the three of them were getting quite cozy. He smirked thinking back to Ridia riding Sero hard. Such a sight as he would be seeing again soon.

A scout flew to intercept and reported that the dog parties were closing in on the shrine. Josin's league was not close enough yet. He nodded to the scout and frowned. He could allow Sesshoumaru to claim victory now. He wouldn't. Turning to Ridia he nodded.

"Slow them" he commanded. Ridia nodded and paused in flight, gathering the scattered clouds about himself and as the energies snapped and crackled, he called up a storm and sent it to chase the party of the west. "That should do it, heavy rains and flooding, not to mention unpredictable lightning" he replied. Josin smirked, oh yes, he liked this newest addition.

Josin smirked again as dark wisps of clouds and crackling blue energies swarmed through his ranks, darkening the sky ever more. A simple thing really for once the storm was summoned as it was now, Ridia would waste no power in maintaining it. The storm would feed and amplify of itself. It would cease when it was stopped.