A.N. Updated because I’m a high school graduate so I need to hurry up if I want to keep my promise and finish this before I start college classes.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

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(Tsuki)

Inuyasha took the two girls and Kirara towards the study Kagome had entered the night before. Inu Taisho was sitting in the same place he had been that night.

He looked soberly at his son as if anticipating the reasons behind the visit. Rather than addressing Inuyasha, he gestured towards the cushions in front of the desk. “Be seated, please. This will take quite a bit of time.”

Inuyasha spoke then, his voice somewhat cheerful, “I know Sesshoumaru will probably have a stroke, but that bastard’s entire plan is completely fucked anyway so why should we even bother following it?”

Inu Taisho’s brow twitched. “Take a seat, Inuyasha.”

The hanyou plopped down in front of the desk with the girls and the elder youkai looked at the three. His glance stayed on Kagome for a few seconds longer than the others. Then after a moment, he closed his eyes.

“It all begins with a miko named Midoriko,” was how he decided to begin. For Sango’s benefit, at least, he had to bring her up. He seemed uncertain, though, in his follow through, “She was a companion of mine decades before. Naraku’s emergence as a threat occurred shortly after her death. He had been her first son.”

Kagome looked sadly at Inu Taisho, “So she eventually married?”

Sango furrowed her brows together and gave a sideways look at Kagome, “You know of her?”

Kagome nodded a little sheepishly. “Somewhat, but Inu Taisho told me a bit about her last night.”

“In answer to your question, Kagome,” Inu Taisho began to chuckle, “Yes that fool did marry.” He seemed continued under his breath, though all present heard him, “To a brash young idiot of a mercenary who I never did approve of, of all people. Knowing Midoriko, she probably cared for him all the more for that.”

Kagome smiled a bit and Inu Taisho continued his explanation, “Midoriko knew something was not right with Naraku. Her child should have been born with the Shikkon Jewel inside of them. But Naraku had nothing.”

Sango frowned and out of habit, her hand once again returned to stroking the fire cat in her lap, “What is the Shikkon Jewel exactly?”

Inuyasha’s face darkened, “Something more sinister than Naraku. It—”

Kagome felt her heart clench and abruptly she cried, “The jewel was not meant to be used by him!” She rapidly covered her mouth.

Inu Taisho sharply asked, “You do know of the jewel, then?” ‘Sesshoumaru mentioned that she had purified several shards.’ His eyes narrowed in appraisal, ‘What sort of sign is this, Midoriko? What connection does she have with Naraku?’

Kagome blushed, “…The jewel—I had never heard of it until I saw it. But I just get this feeling that he’s perverted the initial intention of it.”

Sango placed a reassuring hand on Kagome’s, “Please continue, Inuyasha.”

“The jewel grants strength to whatever body that it’s within… in return, it robs the person of their very core. It slowly steals their soul until they are nothing but a hollow shell left for Naraku’s purposes.”

Inu Taisho spoke up, “Though I mentioned before that Naraku was born without the jewel, a general by the name of Onigumo attempted a transfer. He wanted to remove the jewel from the host, and artificially implant it in Naraku against Midoriko and her husband’s wishes.”

Kagome timidly asked, “Who was the host?”

“Her second child. The only child that Midoriko completely adored with all her heart. She wanted to love Naraku, he was their first child, after all… But she believed something had consumed the boy she had given birth to, until what was left was the entity we know today.”

Kagome shuddered and Sango questioned, “Did the second child die?”

Inu Taisho looked down, “Midoriko never told me definitely. Understand, that that child was her world. Of course it pained her to talk about it. I believed back then, though that the child did die.”

There was a long stretch of silence before Inuyasha asked, “Finish the story for you father?”

Inu Taisho snapped back to the present. He cast a mischievous look at Inuyasha and scoffed, “I would never trust you with storytelling Inuyasha, you use too many profanities.”

Inuyasha rolled his eyes, “Feh! Excuse me for wanting to give your stories a little color.”

Inu Taisho smirked, “Regardless, Midoriko decided to run away again. In that time Naraku went under the custody of Onigumo who was now the leader the pack of mercenaries. They went by the name of the Shichinintai.”

Sango shuddered, “I’ve heard nothing but horrible things about them. The Band of Seven, right? They are nothing more than demons in human skin.” Realizing where she was Sango blushed and waved a hand dismissively, “No offense of course…”

Inuyasha grumbled sarcastically, “Of course.”

“Before they were the ruthless men for hire they are now, they were decent people in the beginning. Although they called themselves mercenaries, they were actually for the people. They helped villages in need and donated immeasurable amounts of time to areas affected by war.” Inu Taisho had a wry smile, “Midoriko would not have felt affection for any man who she would deemed unworthy of it. She had more than a few arrogances and that was one of them.”

A frown then marred his face, “Yes…It was Onigumo who drove them to what they are today. The structure then was far different. The Shichinintai belonged to a village filled with men and women of all ages, constantly training to be called a Rokunintai—one of the six unisex generals and advisors to the leader of the entire establishment. The people would vote every half decade on who the new leader and cabinet would be. Onigumo got rid of that whole system, executed any dissenters and finally left with Naraku and five other men to become true mercenaries.”

Kagome looked up at Inu Taisho, “And what of the father? You had said that Naraku was under Onigumo’s custody.”

“He was killed in battle shortly after the second child’s birth. He died a hero, though.” Kagome again, felt a hard griping of her heart.

Sango closed her eyes, “That’s quite the story.”

Inu Taisho nodded, “The final decade of Midoriko’s life was an unhappy one, but she loved every day of her existence. When she returned here, she seemed as carefree as when I found her. But I digress. I should be speaking more about Naraku and what he has become.”

Blue eyes met amber, “And what is that exactly?”

“A hanyou.”

Inuyasha’s ears twitched a little at the word but other than that he made no vocalizations.

“He and Onigumo, along with the other mercenaries were consumed in a fire. They had been caught by a group a villagers who wanted to execute them in a way that they would feel the burden of their crimes. They attempted to burn all of them alive. Thanks to Onigumo, Naraku was the only one to escape with his life.”

The girls looked horrified and Inu Taisho continued, “Although he escaped, he was badly burned…disfigured. Because of that, when he was found, he was taken care of by some an elderly widow who had taken pity on him. A hate consumed life filled with anger and destruction drove him to seek only one thing: revenge. But his body would not do, he could not even move on his own. So he sold his body to any demon who wanted it in exchange for strength.”

Inuyasha crossed his arm into his haori and sat with his eyes closed, “And now the twisted freak wants to slowly eradicate humans, starting with the ones in our lands.” He scowled, “Demons have for the most part always lived in concealment.”

When the girls looked confused he offered them a wry smile, “Humans aren’t really famous for accepting the unfamiliar. Our lands especially work to keep an order, however. All demons who wish to live here are registered by yours truly and a good ninety five percent live right here on grounds. The other exceptions are scattered about in locations that we have specially selected.”

Both girls looked at each other…

Nations secretly at war…

Sango quietly questioned, “Is this why we’re here? Because Sesshoumaru wants us mixed up in your war? I know as Nagaremono, we had a reputation, but I think that what you’re asking for requires skills we don’t have.”

Kagome stood and looked Inu Taisho in the eye, “I suggest—no…” She held her head more firmly and her tone cooled with an icy command. “I am telling you to give us a choice Inu Taisho.”

Inuyasha tensed and hissed, “Kagome!”

Santo looked alarmed, “What are you doing?” Kagome firmly ignored everyone but Inu Taisho.

Inu Taisho raised a brow, “Between?”

“Your war and a sentence. What is the jail time for trespassing on castle grounds and assaulting a castle guard?”

Inu Taisho answered with the same tone she was using, “Fifteen years if the latter is proven to be aggravated assault. That would probably be the most by juvenile standards.”

“Fifteen years!” Sango looked appalled, “Kagome’s part ended after she got us in! That’s far too—”

“Sango.” Kagome gave her a sharp look. “We would all be tried together. No matter how much I didn’t or didn’t do, we all share the same name.” She took a determined step forward, “Fifteen years or here. Give me that option.”

Inu Taisho smiled slightly, a bit amused. “…Request granted.”

Inuyasha stood, “Father—!”

Said person held up a hand, “I suppose it’s only fair. Your decision, Kagome?”

Sango found herself holding her breath. Fifteen years was a considerable amount of time. But would that be comparable to the length of time they would be forced to stay at the castle?

“I am staying here.”

Sango’s head snapped up and Kagome furrowed her brows together, her eyes closing, “Something is telling me that I need to see this through. But I wanted this to be my choice. I want to know that I am willingly stepping into this no matter the outcome.”

Kagome turned around, “If you would be so kind Inu Taisho, please give the same decision to Sango and Mirouku. Note, though, that instead of aggravated assault, it was in self defense that Sango ended up knocking out the guards. We always wait until the opponent makes contact first.”

With that, she began walking out of the study, only pausing to request, “Inuyasha, take me back to the dojo please.”

The silver haired hanyou had no choice but to follow the girl.

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(Tsuki)

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Sango rubbed her brows, ‘What came over Kagome just now?’ She was on her way to the tactics room where she had left her Hiraikotsu.

After Inuyasha had reluctantly left, Sango had been about to follow suit, somewhat uncomfortable in a room alone with Inu Taisho. But after Kagome’s little stunt, leaving had not been so easy considering the fact that Sango was now faced with a decision of her own.

Five years….

That was the new sentence.

But could she leave Kagome? Kirara was walking beside her, looking more the part of a guard than her beloved companion. Sango slowly bean to take note that every few minutes she would tense up and the fire cat’s fur was on edge.

“I’m guessing it must be the demonic presence that’s saturating this place,” Sango idly mused. However, Kirara seemed to look threatened even.

The fire neko protectively moved a little closer to Sango and she had to wonder why Kirara was so guarded now.

But her thoughts were still centered on the conversation that she just had with Inu Taisho.

“And your choice, Sango?”

“I can’t make this decision on my own, Inu Taisho. I don’t want to leave Kagome, but I don’t want to pressure Mirouku into a decision either. What Kagome did just now was unfair…”

“You three act as if you’re inseparable. I thought you did not like dependency,” he mused in question.

“On outsiders.” She stressed, “On people I haven’t known for a good portion of my life, Inu Taisho. That’s when I don’t like dependency.”

“And how do you feel about depending on yourself, Sango?” Inu Taisho leaned his head onto a clawed hand that he had begun to prop on the desk in front of him. Before she could answer, he murmured, “We both know that you will end up staying here, Sango. You would not spend those five years peacefully knowing that she was here alone.”

Sango looked down, her cheeks flushed.

“So I suggest you head to the dojo and join in the practice. Since Inuyasha is not holding practices today, Shippou should be running drills.”

A small smile crept onto his face, “By now he’s probably figured out your problem. He’ll adjust the practice to accommodate you.”

Sango did not know how to respond.

She felt like an open book in this place, she let out a shudder.

As she approached Tactics, the brunette abruptly knew why Kirara was acting strangely. She let out an inward groan, as she saw the distinct form of a certain general. Hiyo stepped out from the Tactics room looking somewhat furious as Sango reached the aforementioned place. The brunette stopped walking.

The general’s eye narrowed when he spotted her, “I was told that you would be in here, that monk would be shooting arrows, and that miko was going to be taught how to lift those scrawny little arms of hers. And what do I see?” His tone shifted to incredulity. “You out for a lovely stroll with your cat,” Kirara had started hissing at being called a cat, so the brunette was quick to try and inconspicuously quiet her, lest the neko bring further aggravation to the steamed Bishop Weaver youkai. “That miko is sitting in the dojo as if she was possessed, and the monk and that other miko are having a powwow in the archery fields.”

He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw, “All unacceptable.”

Possessed? Powwows? What in the world was this guy talking about? Sango bent to bring Kirara into her arms. “What is your problem, exactly? I’m a tad confused…”

Hiyo looked about ready to throw a tantrum, “Are you deaf, child? I will not repeat myself, when I so clearly stated everything just seconds before,” he snapped. “Now explain all of this!” He ended with a flippant wave of his hand about him.

Sango quenched the urge to roll her eyes, “Kagome and I had been speaking with Inu Taisho, up until now. I am heading to the dojo to join Inuyasha’s practice once I retrieve my Hiraikotsu.”

Hiyo let out an annoyed sigh and his manner calmed slightly, “Fine.” With that he turned around. “If Inu Taisho is aware of this unorthodox behavior then I don’t care anymore. Just hope that I am able to see some progression.”

This time Sango gave in to her immature urges. She rolled her eyes at the retreating and colorful form.

That general…

As if she needed another stress factor today.

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(Tsuki)

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Inuyasha stood leaned against the wall, watching Kagome out of the corner of his eyes. The girl seemed as if she was following as many of the movements as she could.

But it went a bit further than that.

In her mind she was trying to concentrate on what their bodies were doing as they executed each movement. She closed her eyes, and thought of the concept of Tai Chi. It was relaxed, and slow paced. It would allow her to think. Unfortunately, it would require her taking a chance on her opponent’s adrenaline.

She could not help but wonder if mikos could sense such things… How acutely attuned were they to other human bodies?

So far she was having very little success at sensing anything. After all, she didn’t quite know what exactly she was looking for.

Kagome rubbed her temples, half-seriously wishing that she had been trained properly as a miko. There was so much that she was learning as she went along, yet she wished she could be privy to the information prior to stepping into the situations, rather than gaining experience through Hiyo’s throw-you-in-and-hope-you-learn ‘method’.

Inuyasha nudged her a bit, and with a sigh, she opened her eyes. “I hope you’re not falling asleep, Kagome,” he grumbled, incredulously.

The girl rolled her blue eyes heavenward. “Darn,” she drawled sarcastically, “you caught me.”

The hanyou huffed, but did not comment further. Kagome decided to give him an explanation, “I was trying to find the plausibility in combining Tai Chi with my miko abilities.”

Inuyasha furrowed his brow, “How so?”

Kagome placed a hand over where she thought his heart to be. “If you are agitated, your heart rate will begin to speed up… If agitation turns into a desire to engage another party in combat, then the body begins emitting signals. Basic medicinal training for a miko would cover teaching how to sense internal changes. If I figure out how I can read that person’s body language well enough, predicting how to and the most advantageous moment to parry them, could be the next step.”

He rubbed his forehead, “I suppose that would work, but I’m not liking the whole, ‘if I figure out’ part of your equation. You sound like this is all hypothetical. I thought you said that it was basic training.”

Kagome sighed and began to stand. As she dust herself of she muttered, “Well it is… For children who had someone to realize that they were mikos, though. I was separated from my parents at a time when they should have been placing me in training.”

Inuyasha moved closer to her and in a low tone, that he hoped would not be overheard by many, told her, “Sesshoumaru is probably going to announce this when he returns, but I might as well just tell you now. He is sending you for training with the senior miko of these lands. I suggest you ask her as many questions as you can.”

She nodded in response.

In a minute movement, Inuyasha’s ear twitched a bit and he told Kagome to get up, “Sango is here. I want you to join two to join onto Shippou’s segment. If you are to be considered part of my corps, then you must start training with them.”

Kagome opened her mouth to protest but Inuyasha shook his head, “That’s just how it goes… Don’t bother arguing with me; just start thinking of a way to convince that girl to let me confiscate her neko and that bone thing.”

The raven haired girl’s brows furrowed in confusion.

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(Tsuki)

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Chocolate eyes suddenly opened and Kikyou quickly stood, “Return your o-fuda and walk with me. Sesshoumaru is coming back to the castle grounds sooner than I expected. He is within ten miles of the castle.”

Mirouku stood slowly, a bit dazed. He had been in a meditative state for the last hour as Kikyou relentlessly drilled hundreds of incantations into his head. He stumbled a bit with his first steps.

His mind was whirling so he failed to match the miko’s brisk pace. Kikyou hissed at the delay, “Hurry.”

She doubled back and firmly gripped the monk’s arm.

“I’d rather him not know that I went against Inuyasha’s orders.” She murmured in a low voice that she knew that the monk would hear.

Mirouku slowly got his bearings and the two were able to quicken their pace. “Would you get in trouble were Sesshoumaru to find out?”

“A minimal amount. He would be…annoyed.”

Kikyou was surprised to see Mirouku put in an extra effort in catching up to the archer hut despite his vertigo. She smiled somewhat and cast her eyes heavenward.

She would feel very saddened, indeed.

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(Tsuki)

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“Alright, alright,” Shippou addressed the mass of uniformed soldiers in a commanding tone, “make room! Kagome, Sango, fall into the rear flank and watch carefully. Once in position commence the five minute warm up! Slowly,” he added as an afterthought as Kagome and Sango filed into the back of the line.

The two girls ignored incredulous snickers as they walked by and said nothing. Shippou was quick to take note of the new level of commotion and barked, “In silence, or I’m calling punishment laps!”

A hush gradually fell on the group. Once Kagome and Sango were in the back lines, the youkai started the warm up.

Upon seeing the mass of soldiers begin to break off into smaller groups of two, Kagome and Sango looked at each other and would have joined up had it not been for Shippou.

His booming voice called over all the chattering as youkai paired off. “This entire exercise, I had better not see any two females paired together!”

Sango clenched her jaw at the order but she was unable to utter any protest for a burly tiger youkai had pulled out Sango, “I wish to see first hand, the reason behind this sudden disgrace of adding humans to our army.”

Shippou sounded in the background giving instructions, “Once everyone is paired, take a five minute lap around the dojo—Tachi sets the pace. Run in lines of four…”

Immediately Sango pushed off his hand, “I’ll only warn you once…don’t touch me again.” Though seemingly composed on the outside, Sango was wishing that Inuyasha had not taken Kirara or her weapons from her when he had left. While he said he would leave both in their room, she did not completely trust the hanyou. Kagome, on the other hand seemed to be a different story.

The brunette shook her head. Now was not the time nor was it the place!

The tiger’s eyes seemed to mock her. His golden feline eyes seemed to laugh at her at he adjusted the gloves of his uniform, “Do I make you angry, human?”

Sango sniffed, “Among other things, oni.”

He bared his teeth for a second. “Good to know. After all we will be working together for quite awhile today.”

Shippou’s voice then could be heard shouting, “Alright! I see everyone is paired off—” In the back of her mind, abruptly Sango could not help but worry about who Kagome was paired off with. “—Now, five minutes! Begin!”

—Tsuki—

Kagome ended up with a lithe, rather muscular looking youkai. She could not begin to discern as to what species he originated from exactly. But he was certainly odd. His silk like hair was a rich dark gray color in appearance and his eyes were a vibrant green.

He did not seem opposed to pairing with her and rather, had sought her out himself and introduced himself.

“My name is Goshi. I am correct in assuming that you are the miko?”

When Kagome affirmed this he seemed intrigued and told her to follow him in line, “Some of us have mixed views about you and your companions—you in general though. They say you might be the reincarnation of Midoriko.”

Kagome furrowed her brows as she walked with the youkai, “What do you mean?”

“Just as I say.” His eyes scanned her over and he sighed, “It would be great to have her back. I miss her… Though there are differences in personality I can see her in you. For those of us who remember her…we don’t underestimate how beneficial that woman would be at this time.”

Kagome rubbed her arms, feeling a bit chilled; not knowing how to respond. Was everyone thinking that same idea? The only thing she ended up murmuring in reponse was, “From what I heard, we’re vastly different.”

But the more important question on her mind was, ‘Is this true?’

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(Tsuki)

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“Where is my father, Hiyo?” The general had gone out to meet Sesshoumaru at the front gates upon his arrival. The ostentatiously toned youkai found the silver hair inu removing his things from the horse he rode in on. As soon as Sesshoumaru had sensed his presence he had called out his inquiry to him.

Hiyo prompted replied, “In the gardens. Shall I take you to him?”

Sesshoumaru scoffed, “I know where the gardens are.”

“He is in Midoriko’s private garden.”

Sesshoumaru paused and a ghost of a wry smile hinted his lips, “I know where it is.”

Find a youkai at that castle who had been stationed there at the time of that woman’s stay who had not had some connection to her.

It was almost impossible.

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(Tsuki)

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“I want to try something, Inu-chan. If I take herbs and place them in the dark, where will they get their energy?” The sixth month of her stay was spent really dissecting the herbal capabilities that she had.

“Is that a trick question?” He looked up and saw the woman staring at a richly green plant that lay in her palm. “I may not be a botanist, but I at least know something about the photosynthetic requirements of plants.”

“I’m just wondering if I can redirect their energy source.”

“You seem to have a lot of spare time recently, Midoriko. It makes me wonder how I am still alive.”

“This is part of the assassination method,” she hurriedly fibbed. “Now may I please have half an acre of underground land?”

“If it’s for such noble reasons, how could I resist?”

Half an acre was devoted to experiments with varying degrees of abiotic influences or lack there of.

It was a difficult room to find since they were behind the dungeons and it had been the only space available when Midoriko had made her request.

But the miko had spent countless hours down there. Dozens of times, later in her lifetime, she had had company.

And that company had been Sesshoumaru.

Yes. He knew all too well where her second garden was.

When he stepped into the room, Inu Taisho started a bit. His son was minutely surprised at the response. He had never seen his father so engrossed in anything.

Inu Taisho smiled a bit, “I am glad you sought me out.” He turned and Sesshoumaru saw that he was holding two simplistic looking swords.

“I think it’s time that I gave you your inheritance.”

Sesshoumaru frowned, “Should I be concerned as to you reasoning behind it?”

Inu Taisho avoided the question, “Inuyasha has become more sporadic over the years so I see no way to put off giving him the Tetsuseiga—”

“The sword rumored to have the abilities to kill a thousand youkai in one strike,” he drawled, “I certainly see the reasoning behind leaving it to Inuyasha.”

Inu Taisho gave his son a stern look, “Tetsusaiga has a calming effect on demon blood—something you wouldn’t need. You and Inuyasha are on different levels of mental and physical strength. I’d like to believe that I am not giving him an advantage but evening the playing field. I won’t ignore the animosity between you two, Sesshoumaru. You are both my sons and I have an equal amount of affection—”

“Am I correct in assuming then that I get Tenseiga?”

“Tenseiga is a sword of healing. It can heal both physical and mental wounds of any degree.”

“You leave out one key detail, father. The sword only has that property in concern to other people.”

Inu Taisho’s eyes hardened, “You reject this gift then? Do you want only want something if it can kill something else? ” He scoffed, “Can you not see my hesitation in giving you Tetsusaiga?”

Sesshoumaru bowed, “I apologize,” he said curtly and Inu Taisho held out the sword, “I am hoping that all these centuries of existence have given me a least a hint of foresight in regards to how I assist my sons’ lives.”

Sesshoumaru wordlessly took the sword and Inu Taisho sighed, “Now please…How was your trip?”

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(Tsuki)

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“Tomorrow, Kaede is taking over the training of the three.” Sesshoumaru had assembled all the key figures he would need in terms of planning the next few days. General Hiyo sat at his right, Inu Taisho at his left, Jaken directly across from him acting as scribe, Inuyasha, Kikyou, Shippou, and four army representatives.

“I want to know several things before we begin that discussion. The first is the progress of the reconstruction of the outside training grounds.”

Shippou promptly answered, “It’s going quicker than I thought it would. I guess since I actually know what I’m doing in terms of technicals this time. For the physical work that needs to be done, I have a twenty four hour rotation of men working on shifts. I’ll be done with enough of tiers one and two to start having new trainees on it again soon, but don’t expect anything from tier three for awhile.”

Sesshoumaru nodded, “Acceptable.” Next, he addressed Inuyasha. “What is our number of military personnel at present, Inuyasha?”

Inuyasha rubbed his brow, “We have five hundred and seventy division A qualifiers spread along our borders, three hundred division B plus fifteen miko trainees from that class, a hundred and thirty division C being trained here out of two hundred because the others are either miko or specialty classified, and seven hundred and twenty-three in the D division who are either being trained as specialties, or new to the army. Our total count: roughly eighteen hundred. All are in the western lands, but a third of that number live on our grounds. We have another thousand available men through allegiance terms, even with ended treaties.”

Sesshoumaru took in that information with veiled relief, “Did you send any invitations to the replacement mikos to join our main training grounds from division D?”

“We had only five able to start training within this month. There are about five times that could eventually join ranks, but not now, according to Kikyou.”

Kikyou spoke, “If the girls are not used to rigorous training or if they miss some of the basic training you might as well have a regular human woman in your army. The main grounds don’t cover what they learn there. However, I have worked with those five who are moving up and they are passable for the training ground conditions.”

“Fine.” For the last matter he turned to the Division Representatives, “Weapon accessibility per division?”

When that matter was discussed and the necessity recorded, Sesshoumaru placed his hands on the table. “In regards with my visit to the south, it was beneficial for two reasons.”

“The southern taiyoukai amended our treaty under the condition that if we do not provide physical support, then we financially assist their own miko training.”

General Hiyo rolled his eyes, “The south may have decent youkai troops but their miko faction in a lost cause. Those women are only no more capable of being mikos than I!”

Kikyou narrowed her eyes, “How insulting. Unlike youkai, our worth is determined in other categories besides strength.” She stared him in the down though she addressed Sesshoumaru, “I suggest taking the financial ground.” Her brown eyes finally looked into steeled amber. “We did not lose as much money as we did people with the northern attack. Training them, if done properly will be relatively cheaper than sending our own women. We have a stronger physical regiment here than in the southern departments because they are less susceptible to attacks. Southern mikos, though, are more spiritually inclined—”

Hiyo said flippantly, “Did I ask for all of that nonse—?” Inu Taisho held up a hand, “Unfortunately that is not the most important matter at hand right now. Naraku has made his claim on a date.”

Everyone turned to full attentiveness and Inu Taisho nodded towards Sesshoumaru. The aforementioned youkai addressed the group. “A year is the time frame that we’ve been given.” He looked at each person sitting at the table, “Right now, our most important resources are any Division D members. They can either hinder or help us come that time. So I want increased training for them as well. Specialties are to be picked immediately.”

The Division D representative spoke up, “With specialties, we have many different youkai who wish to apply to be specialty who are residentially registered. We could use more youkai who are medically and mechanically inclined, so I suggest that be a priority for Inuyasha to register them. Also, we were hoping that we could get more youkai on Shippou’s par to instruct the kitsune on magic use.”

Shippou’s eyes lit up, “I suggest asking Suzu Aikawa. She was my mentor until she retired to live in the villages.”

“About heading down to your village,” Inuyasha started, “I might postpone that, until the three in your division that we’re working with now, return from Kaede’s.”

Sesshoumaru sharply turned to his brother, “And why is that?”

“I’m going with them… Things haven’t been going as smoothly as we assume that it should. I have a bad feeling about leaving them alone.” He grinned, “Besides, I’m only be a few miles away so you don’t have to miss me that much, ainiki.”

Sesshoumaru scowled, “That quality of yours that decides things on your own needs to disappear.”

“I think I agree that someone should go,” Inuyasha was surprised to hear Hiyo agree. “Whether it’s Inuyasha, though is a different story. His job is too important right now for him to leave.”

Shippou abruptly chimed, “I could take over while he’s gone. When I get bored, I read the registry sometimes.”

Inuyasha looked appalled, “Why?”

Shippou huffed, “Haven’t you ever been interested in knowing the—You know what, never mind.” He crossed his arms, “All I’m saying is that I know what needs to be done. If I go to their village, then I can register youkai and if we contact Aikawa-san, we can kill two birds with one stone.”

Sesshoumaru nodded, “Arrange then to leave with Takuya,” he gestured towards the Division D representative. “Stay as long as needed, but send consistent reports. You are dismissed.”

Shippou blinked, “Leave?”

“Make arrangements for your trip and send contact to Aikawa. Finalize any work that you may need to finish before you travel.” Shippou nodded and stood. He gave a quick bow and left. Sesshoumaru turned to the other department ambassadors. “I want the training increased. Stay on grounds until your training necessities arrive and then return to your stations. You may leave.”

He commanded that Hiyo take over the running of drills and exercises in the castle before dismissing him. Afterwards, he told Kikyou that she was to go to the miko training grounds and to make those arrangements.

He stood, “Jaken, you may cease scribing.”

“Yes, milord! I’ll make a copy of this and place that your desk.” The toad youkai bowed several times before scurrying out, his Staff of Heads, the only visible sign that he was leaving.

Inu Taisho and Inuyasha rose as well. Sesshoumaru looked at his father, “Your opinion, father?”

The youkai looked past his sons and ran a hand through his hair, “This is a tricky situation. We have a lot to lose, but it does not outweigh what we could possibly gain.” He sighed, “Things shouldn’t have turned out this way for that boy…”

“Try not to let this become something personal.”

Inuyasha nodded in agreement with Sesshoumaru, “They can’t be considered one and the same person anymore. Naraku is anything but human now.”

Inu Taisho chuckled, “I’ve grown so soft. I suppose I am hesitating because he is the only living connection of Midoriko left.”

“But isn’t it better this way,” Inuyasha shyly asked, “if all she is known by is who she was when she was alive and not by Naraku?”

Sesshoumaru scoffed, “For once I agree. That woman would have killed Naraku herself if she knew that this was the outcome of his nauseating existence. I am also sure she would be fine with his immediate death by any of our hands if she could not succeed.”

Inu Taisho rolled his eyes heavenward, “That attitude is why you can never be in possession of a destructive sword.”

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(Tsuki)

A.N. I like ending it on that note. But unfortunately that attitude of Sesshoumaru is why this fic can’t shift all romantic-y yet.