A Cherokee Rose by Flash_Of_Nova

The beginning

      The crisp fall air floated through the forest Children of the tribe ran around the camp soaking in the last of the Autumn sun 

as their mothers worked. The worries of anyone were far from camp, but little did they know of what was happening in their

forest. The leaves that had dropped in a multicolored rain fall had littered the ground making the footsteps disappear all

together. The small Seminole war party crept through the under brush towards the Cherokee camp, Sesshomaru motioned the

party to come to stop. Crouching low in a circle the party developed their plan. "Inuyasha, have you done what I asked?"

Sesshomaru spoke in low tones addressing his younger brother. Inuyasha nodded affirming that he had taken out the

watchman of the Cherokee. "Good then with the party on the west side we should be taking them completely by surprise, No

one acts until I say!" He spoke in harsh tones letting his men know he was the leader. Little did he know that one maiden was

silently listening to all that he said. She turned sneaking back under the bush she had crawled out from. Slithering through the l

eaves she was reminded that rocks and sticks still littered the ground even beneath their covering. When she was far enough

she stood running back to her camp, the tree limbs grabbing at her clothes as if to try and stop her. She burst into the clearing

her lungs burning from the run and the danger she could fill building in the air like a thunderstorm. The chiefs lodge sat in the

middle of the tribes tent his being the largest and most lavishly decorated. Totosi looked up from the tribal meeting as his tent

flaps erupted and kagome flew into the lap of the nearest blustered elder. "Ah, kagome, I was wondering when you would

interrupt my meeting once again." Kagome looked up her cheeks blushed from the run and embarrassment. "I'm sorry totosi,

really I am its just I was just out in the woods and I..." he held up his hand. "I know you saw another spiritual being and it was

warning of great danger." He shook his hands for emphasis. "NO, there's a Seminole war party out there coming from the east

and west I saw their leader, He had silver hair and golden eyes and many strong warriors with him!" She yelled banging her fist

onto the knee of the elder who's lap she still occupied. Totosi's eyes grew larger his face paler than snow.

"Sess...Sesshomaru." Was all that came out in his harsh whisper. "Alert all the warriors sound the horns bury the everything of

value." Orders were soon shouting from all the mouths of the elders as the tribe ran trying to get ready. The sounds of panic

carried all the way to the war party that had just begun to gather close to the village. Sesshomaru turned his golden eyes

assaulting his younger brother. "I thought you said you had taken care of the watchmen!" he growled. Inuyasha shrugged his

shoulders, "I must have missed one." "I will deal with your stupidity later inuyasha, ATTACK." The Seminole group surged into

the clearing of the Cherokee tribe adding to the chaos and panic. Women and children screamed as they tried to run from the

fearsome warriors. The Cherokee men fought back being warned they were prepared for Sesshomaru. Kagome stepped out of

her grandfathers tent watching the silver haired one with interest. She watched as his muscles flexed each time he fought of

one of the tribesmen. She watched as another snuck up behind sticking a bone knife deep into his side, and she watched as he

fell to the ground not one sound passing his lips. Inuyasha turned and stared as his leader, his brother, fell. A mighty ache

entered his heart as he slew the one who had felled his mighty brother. "Retreat!" was all that he could manage. He would be

back, of that he left no doubt his eyes flickering over all the people. His eyes locked with a girls standing across the clearing,

she had been watching his brother but was now locked onto him. Within her eyes he left a message, one of vengeance that

would be carried out on all of her people. As quickly as they had entered the camp they were gone. The slivered hair one still

lay on the ground unconscious and bleeding. Kagome walked towards him but was stopped as a handed rested heavily upon

her shoulder. "No granddaughter, let the men decide what must be done with him." She bowed her head towards her

grandfather the healer nodding that she understood. The Chief walked out and stood before Sesshomaru raising his head with

the staff. "Gather people and stare at the man who has caused the tribe so much grief. Look upon the face of the one who has

killed your husbands, sons, and daughters. No what evil looks like. Tomorrow at sunrise we will burn him but for now tie him

to the totem pole, for if the gods want him, may they take him before the morning light."  A great cheer erupted from the

throats of the tribe people as they watched him dragged and tied up to spend the night beneath a merciless sky.