Descent Into Darkness by Lady Kirara

Royal Flush

Royal Flush

Sometimes, she didn't understand him. Truth be told, most of the time she didn't even bother to try. Kagome threw her hands up in the air as her general snapped at her. The two had been going back and forth for the better part of the morning. Neither of them had relented in their side of the fight.

Rin sat out of the way and off to the side of the room. True to her word, she had not tried to run from Kagome as she'd promised. But that didn't mean she liked being in this place. She didn't like humans. She didn't feel safe here. She felt safe with Lord Sesshoumaru, but she was no longer with him. She wondered when he would come for her.

Rin watched the two from the corner of her eye. They were arguing once again. No doubt about her. She kept her face calm and gave nothing away to let anyone know she was listening in.

“You gave me your word Kagome! You swore to me that you could complete this mission without any complications. Against my better judgment I allowed you free reign to complete this task.”

The general was a big man; he wore armor made of steel that covered every inch of him except his hands and face; he terrified her. He was the type of man Lord Sesshoumaru had warned Rin to stay away from. From her spot across the room, she didn't have much option to leave.

Rin didn't like any of them. She couldn't say she hated them, she didn't think she was even capable of doing that. But she didn't trust them. Of them all, Rin disliked Kagome the least. It could have been because Kagome had spared her life, but she didn't that was the only reason. She knew Kagome didn't save her to be nice. Nice wasn't a work Rin used to describe Kagome. Rin wasn't stupid, like so many people thought. She paid attention to things. And that made her dangerous… if only a little. Kagome was planning to use Rin. To what end… she had no idea.

Her eyes widened when the conversation once again turned to her. It was all too obvious now.

“She is a casualty we cannot afford in this war. You will do what you were assigned to do, and nothing less. If you cannot do it yourself I will find someone who can. Do I make myself clear?!”

“Don't you dare think for a second this mission had anything to do with you. You may be my commanding officer but this is my vengeance we are talking about. How easily you could have forgotten, father.” Kagome spat the words at the man. No, Rin mused, not nice at all.

The General, Rin noticed, backed down- if only slightly. Whatever Kagome had been talking about had struck a nerve in the man. The gravity of the situation wasn't lost on her. The next few words would decide if she would live long enough or die before her Lord could save her life.

“Make no mistake, my child, so long as that child lives, there will be no stopping Sesshoumaru from reclaiming her. Is that what you want?”

Kagome gave her father a haughty smirk and started in anew. “Do not worry about Sesshoumaru, father. I have already taken the precautions to ensure she is not followed. No matter how hard he tries, he will not find her. He might come straight to my doorstep, see her cowering behind me, look at her, and still he would not be able to sense her.”

Sheer panic gripped Rin at that thought. If there was no way for Sesshoumaru-sama to find her, she would never get away. Her eyes were wide and her mind raced with the possibility this change presented, but she was pulled far too soon from her thoughts.

Sango knelt down next to the child. “It isn't nice to eavesdrop. Come with me.” Rin was afraid to leave the tent, leave Kagome, the only one that seemed determined to keep her alive. “Kagome's promise will hold true. No one will bring you harm.” Rin's fear eased, of only a little. She got up and followed Sango out into the bustling camp.

As soon as they'd arrived, right before dawn, Kagome had whispered and order to Sango and she'd disappeared without so much as a goodbye. Rin looked up at the woman in front of her. She didn't like her- not one bit. Sango had been all too willing to kill her. For that, Rin's anger was unforgiveable.

Anger aside, she did not want to be left alone in a place so big, though no one seemed to bother giving her more than a curious glance and then quickly getting back to whatever task they'd been assigned. Rin noted with amusement that it wasn't much different than when she had followed Lord Sesshoumaru.

Sango stopped abruptly ahead of her and she nearly crashed right into the woman's leg. “We are here. Come in Rin.”

Sango held the tent flap open and waited for Rin to enter before walking in behind her. Inside, there was only a single bath already steaming with hot water. Rin couldn't contain the smile. She gave a sheepish look to her escort; she still wouldn't speak to her. Rin looked around the room, clearly worried about intruders.

Sango nodded once, “Go on. I will wait outside for you. No one will bother you here.”

Needing no more prompting Rin stripped down and settled herself inside the wash bin. Sango knelt to pick up her tattered clothing before leaving. “I will bring you new clothes. These will do you no good in a place like this.”

“Wait!” Rin's cry was as startling to her as it was to Sango. “Please don't. Please don't take them away.”

Sango held the blue fabric loosely in her grasp. It wasn't Rin's fault she had been caught up in this mess. “You no longer belong to your Lord little one, you cannot go back. You belong to Kagome now.”

Rin was finally starting to see how true those words seemed. She might have been human, but Kagome was much more powerful than she seemed. Still, “That's all I have left.”

Sango weighed the cons of letting her keep them, “Very well.” She folded them neatly and set them aside. “I will return. Do not leave.”

Rin sunk under the water when Sango left. Something Sango said had bothered her. As a human child that had grown up around youkai her entire life, she'd never been used to human customs. But she was under the impression she didn't belong to anyone. How could anyone, youkai or human, belong to someone else.

Before she could finish washing Sango had returned with another set of clothes identical to the ones she wore. The leather, she noticed, was blue rather than the pink Sango's had. Rin pursed her lips.

“You will wear them. Come. I will help you.”

Without waiting for a second command she hopped out of the tub and naked as the day she was born she stood in front of Sango waiting to be clothed. It wasn't like anything she'd worn before, and the rough fabric rubbed against her skin uncomfortably. It was nothing like the silks she'd been used to.

“They will take getting used to.” Sango mirrored her thoughts. Indicating with a finger she had Rin spin. Facing away Sango piled her hair atop her head and tied it into the lopsided ponytail she'd had when they found her. Satisfied, she spun her again. Tapping her finger and looking her over Sango snapped a finger when she realized what was missing. She turned deftly and grabbed the silver sash from Rin's pile. Looping it around the child's upper arm twice she tied it tightly. The ends flowed freely.

“It's not ideal to wear it loose, but you won't be doing any fighting like the rest of us. Not yet, anyway.” When Sango pointed to her side Rin noticed with glee that Sango had one also. “My mother's,” She confided.

Rin was beginning to think she might have misjudged the woman. She considered saying a small thank you, but a soldier yelling outside pulled Sango out of their tender moment. A woman ducked her head inside the bathhouse and addressed Sango directly.

“Apologies Captain, but General Shin and Lieutenant Kagome are waiting for you at the gates. Someone is coming.”

Sango nodded once, “Who?”

The woman shook her head, “We don't know, but they are youkai.” Her eyes flashed to Rin for the barest moment.

“Dismissed. Leave me.”

She needed no more warning and deftly left the room. Sango caught the door before it closed behind her. She cursed.

“You will have to come with me. Do not leave my side, no matter what. No matter who is at our gate, do you understand me?” Sango's tone left no room for disagreement.

Assured she had Rin's attention she began the trek to the other side of the camp, to her father and sister, and quite possibly to the very youkai they'd been running from.

As they made their way Sango observed many people looking to the skies. That didn't make any sense to her, unless- these weren't just youkai, they were dragons.

_____

Jaken tore through the halls screaming for the child at the top of his impish lungs. His staff swung from side to side brandishing flames to any who cut across his path.

Damn those filthy humans! How dare they parade onto Lord Sesshoumaru’s land! Jaken spent the night inside the clearing dealing with the human troops. He’d sent Rin, under safety of her personal guard into the remains of the castle, she knew she wasn’t to leave until he or Sesshoumaru himself came for her.

Only one problem remained, he could no longer sense Rin anywhere. Thus, his only option remaining reduced him to screaming for her through the halls until he found her. Jaken took no time to rest, constantly praying that he found her before Lord Sesshoumaru returned.

As it turned out, luck was not on his side, and seconds later Sesshoumaru’s towering form stood over the trembling toad. “Welcome back, milord.”

Sesshoumaru, flanked by two inuyoukai, narrowed his eyes a half centimeter and Jaken knew he was about to feel his wrath. Though his voice gave nothing away, Jaken knew he was furious, “Where. Is. She.” It was not a question.

No one asked who he was referring to; they all knew to do so would surely mean their death. The lord’s eyes never left his retainer. “The human seems to have been misplaced sire. I will go and find her immediately.” Turning tail without being dismissed Jaken fully intended to run before Sesshoumaru could extract any detrimental punishment over losing his ward.

Before he could lift one foot fully from the ground he was caught up in Sesshoumaru’s viselike grip, unable to hardly breathe. “You will explain this.”

“Yes milord.” Jaken managed to squeak out before his oxygen was cut off completely.

When the demon lord released him he wasted no time in groveling at the inu’s feet and haphazardly retelling the tale of the night before. Sesshoumaru hadn’t managed to get much from the story between the profuse apologies. But when he did was troubling to say the least.

Turning on his heel he left Jaken in a heaping mess on the floor and took off in the opposite direction. So he was not the only one to lose the connection to Rin. He could not feel her anywhere- but he was certain she could not be dead. His claws brushed against Tensaiga at his waist. The fang would have warned him.

From the reports of the two youkai keeping pace with him, a miko had also been involved. While Jaken was foolishly tending to the distraction, the miko had purified some of his best soldiers- and taken his most prized possession.

He had been away delegating a truce with one of the neighboring territories. Now he was left with no truce- and no Rin. Nearly two years ago he had rescued her from her village. Since then she had become the most important thing to him. He was at a loss of where to start a search.

“Lord Sesshoumaru,” One of the generals murmured. It was only then he realized he’d stop moving. Before Sesshoumaru could take action the Inu blurted, “There is something else we have not considered Sir.”

Seeing that he would get no response the second Inu spoke up, “Though it might seem like a delicate matter Sir. We may have something to start with. The half-breed hanyou of your sire, sir,” Sesshoumaru’s rigid stance was perceived perfectly. Speak quickly or die. “I only meant, Sir. Inuyasha is mated to a miko.”

“Bring them to me.” When neither youkai moved he barked, “Immediately!”

And they were gone.

Inuyasha, even thinking the name left a vile taste in his mouth. It was true that some fifty years earlier his half-breed half-brother had completed their families disgrace by marrying, and thus mating, a human miko in a small village outside of Edo. Though he was sure that neither of them had anything to do with the disappearance of his ward, Inuyasha’s mate might have information about the miko in question.

Though clearly Sesshoumaru wanted nothing to do with either of them, he was not above anything where Rin was concerned.

Sesshoumaru’s hand found the hilt of Tensaiga once more, and content in the knowledge that she was neither dead nor dying, he allowed himself time to plan out how to get her back.

And kill whoever dared take her in the first place.

_____

Rin watched in fascination as row after row of the crowd parted for Sango, and subsequently, her. These people were nothing like the youkai she was accustomed to. To be fair, she thought she ought to stop comparing the two. These weren’t youkai, they were human.

Sango didn’t speak to Rin, instead keeping her eyes straight ahead. She could see Kagome and their father waiting patiently for whoever was coming. She thought she would be relieved when she finally had them in her sights, but Kagome’s stance just put her more on edge.

Kagome’s back was straight as a board, her shoulders tense. With one hand firmly on the katana at her hip the other was free to grab an arrow from the sheath at her back. Kagome was ready for battle. When they reached the gate two men blocking the half-stairs parted. Sango hoisted herself up with effortlessness.

Rin thought she was going to be left waiting at the bottom of the stairs, but two sturdy hands grasped her under her arms and hoisted her several feet up so that she could grab the platform where the stairs began. “Up you go little one.” He whispered in her ear. When she looked back to thank the man his violet eyed wink made her grin. He gave her a shooing motion and she ran to catch up to Sango.

Having grown up around youkai for the better part of her life, she had been accustomed to many things. It was not unnatural for her to wander the camp when Lord Sesshoumaru was away, her faithful retainer Jaken always one step behind. In those camps she’d met any number of unusual youkai, but the ones before her nothing like the rest.

They were majestic. There was simply no other word for them. The black scales of the four largest soldiers shined brilliantly when the sun reflected off them. Their wings were filmy and stained a dark green. Rin forgot how to breathe. The only female with them had neither wings nor scales, but before Rin could examine her further a booming voice made her jump from her place behind Sango.

“Why have you come to this place?” General Shin ordered of them.

The female gave out a throaty hiss and barred her fangs. It was only after the initial shock wore off that everyone realized it had not been meant for him. She was staring at Rin. “You are a traitor!” She screeched. “We have come for nothing. They are protecting one of his.”

Before anyone could respond Kagome released her katana a grabbed a bow while shielding Rin from view once more and drawing an arrow. “She is not your concern. My general asked you a question. Answer him or I will be forced to end your cries of peaceful cooperation.”

Rin tried to steady her breathing. She might have thought they were beautiful creatures, but they were also very deadly. She was grateful that whatever power Kagome held kept them at bay.

Kagome narrowed her eyes when one of the dragon youkai backhanded the female, assuring her silence. No one should have known where Rin had come from, and that female clearly did. The barrier she cast ensured no full blooded youkai would ever be able to sense her again. That type of shield didn’t fail.

Kagome’s eyes widened when she realized her mistake.

“Pardon, Sir. We meant no disrespect. The young one is still learning her place.” One of the dragons stepped forward, clearly the leader, and bowed low. “I have come on behalf of my Lord Ryukotsusei, in hopes that we can negotiate a treaty with the humans under command of the General of the North.”

“What business does your Lord Ryukotsusei have with humans? What war can he not possibly win that he would ask for my help?”

If the dragon was offended he didn’t let it show. “To the West there lies an enemy both unwilling to lay down his sword and unable to be defeated by any one army. We have heard rumors than a human army also plans to go to war with this same enemy.

“My Lord Ryukotsusei is nothing if not practical. He is willing to overlook the pedigree of your blood and focus solely on your determination to defeat the youkai we all wish to see subdued. There are also rumors that you possess warriors that do not fear demons, who can easily eliminate them.” His eyes betrayed nothing as they slid to Kagome. “If you are willing to negotiate a peace treaty with my lord he has asked that I escort you and your finest warriors to his palace to the south to talk terms.”

“I will need time to think over your offer.” The General spoke.

“Of course- this is not the type of decision a man such as yourself should make on a whim. We will allow you-“

“We accept the arrangement. But I have a few conditions of my own.” Shin and Sango both stared ill-at-ease as she continued. “The Lord General will not accompany you south.”

Kagome spoke casually, not bothering to look at her father or sister. “You see, I know a thing or two about youkai myself. They do so enjoy toying with their prey. And if the General were to leave this post with his finest men and follow you south, what guarantee would we have that an ambush or raid might come to harm the general or his army waiting faithfully here for him to return.

“But being that you are youkai of pedigree I’m sure that we have nothing to fear from you, am I right?”

The dragon’s eyes darkened, “If I have offended you I apologize. It was not my intent. We mean you no harm.”

“Be that as it may, as I said before, the General will not be accompanying you on your journey. In fact, no one will be accompanying you.”

“But you have already agreed to come and meet with my Lord Ryukotsusei.”

Kagome nodded solemnly. “I have given you my word that we have accepted. However, you will return to your Lord today, and tell him that I will return to him to sort out the details of our arrangement.”

The other youkai who’d remained silent until this point shifted nervously. “Is there a problem with this arrangement?”

A second spoke up angrily, “We were given orders to return with the General and his army, not some Lieutenant that can’t hold her tongue in the presence of men.”

Kagome knew she should have been offended, but she wanted to rise to the challenge in his voice. “Is it my presence as a woman that bothers you, or that I have more authority than you?”

“Why you stupid bitc-“ The dragon howled in pain when the arrow shot through his skin.

“Raise your claws to me again and I will do more than remove your hand. Am I clear?”

Still nursing his injured appendage he spat out, “You have no idea what we could do to you.”

Rin shied away from Kagome when the malice in her voice shook her to the core. “I know exactly what youkai like you are capable of. And I am one hundred percent certain that the only one in danger here is you.”

She turned her attention back to the dragon in charge and addressed him with a kinder tone, “Do we have an agreement, or will I be sending you back to your lord as a pile of ash.”

He shifted uncomfortably, clearly wanting this over with so he could return home. With a single nod, she smiled. “One more thing then and you are free to leave.”

“Name it.”

“Her.” Kagome pointed to the female still holding her swollen cheek.

“I am sorry, but that is inacceptable.”

“She threatened my ward, and she is not a full blooded youkai, she is of no use to you.”

The dragon wanted to argue, but the arrow pointed at his chest made him come up short, “Very well.” In the choice of his own life or that of a disgraced hanyou, he would save himself.

While the four dragons took to the skies Kagome called for Rin to follow. Rin didn’t hesitate. “Open the gate.”

Kagome showed no fear as she walked right up to where the female sat crumpled in the grass. Rin was nervous being this close to one who so obviously didn’t like her. Somehow, she knew Kagome wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

“What is your name, hanyou?” Kagome addressed her politely; all traces of anger had vanished from her tone.

“Kill me and be done with it.” The hanyou seethed.

It was only then Kagome noticed the shackles around her wrists and feet. “You were their prisoner.”

The woman’s eyes rounded on Kagome and she saw the fire ignite in them. “There is no shame in being hanyou.” She spat. Clearly the dragon youkai she traveled with didn’t feel the same way.

Kagome didn’t shy away. The anger wasn’t meant for her. She understood better than anyone. But this hanyou could not be free to leave this place. She was in a dangerous position. If what she thought was true, and the barrier she’d created to keep youkai out, failed to keep hanyou out, she could not be allowed to be free.

Rin was a vital piece of the puzzle. One Kagome had to keep safe at any cost. “I can offer you safety, but you must swear to serve me, and any under my protection, at all costs. Or I can end you. The choice will be yours.”

The hanyou dragoness grimaced. To be protected meant that she would no longer be hunted, and all she wanted was to be left to live her life in peace. Human lives were fleeting, a mere fifty years, at best. She could sacrifice that small fraction of time. “My servitude will end with your death.” It was not a negotiation.

Kagome nodded. “Or that of my ward.”

“Done,” A youkai’s word was law. That Kagome knew for sure. Their honor was the most important thing to them. Kagome didn’t have much experience with hanyou but she was sure it was the same for them. With a single touch the chains binding her were gone.

Kagome stood and turned away. “Rin come.”

“Hitomi,” the hanyou whispered.

“Hitomi then,” Kagome repeated.

Kagome grinned as they followed her back into the campgrounds. All the cards were falling into place. Soon, she would have her revenge.

_____

Inuyasha rolled over on their mat, intending to pull his sleeping mate closer. When he felt air he jumped up and followed the ear splitting scream into the clearing by their home.

A dozen inuyoukai guards surrounded him. At the center was one he recognized, holding his mate by the arm in a tight grip.

“We’ve come with a message from Lord Sesshoumaru, Ruler of the Western Lands, for the half-breed hanyou Inuyasha and his mate, the miko Kikyo.”

“Spit it out then asshole.”

“Lord Sesshoumaru requires your assistance.”

Inuyasha balked when the General didn’t address him, but rather the stunned woman in his grasp.

“What the fuck did you do Kikyo?!”

 _____

AN: Yeyy! Chapter 2 is ready! You like how I gave everyone a little part to play in this perilous little tale. I wonder any anyone knows where its headed! Any guesses?? You like how I included mr big bad dragon man... yeah... I thought that was kinda witty myself. :P Anywho... Onwards!

Review for me? Yes?