《I See You [Sesshomaru]》Chapter 52

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The suspicious figure along the boarder had only been a rogue demon that had grown too close. However, that didn't mean the pack could leave them to wander if it was indeed a lie and would return to Naraku or Lord Orochi. They killed the demon on the spot. Akiko was a bit uneasy with the decision, but understood in times of war even the innocents that were strangers could pose as a threat. And Sesshomaru wasn't interested in taking prisoners if there was no information to give. Plus, bringing any into the castle was a risk if they got a whiff or peak at the reincarnation. In the end, this wasn't an issue to bring up any further around the others with what laid ahead.

Sesshomaru, now fully returning to his duties around the household, was busy at work organizing with their allies. All were pleased to hear that the demon lord had regain consciousness and wished him good health for that battles ahead. And though the dog demon was not one for voicing his thanks he still found a way to show his gratitude to Lord Seiichi for coming to their aid in a time of need. Even when his own lands were at risk. A few times Tobi would allow Akiko to leave the dungeons now to join Sesshomaru and Aisu in the lord's study to plan not only their further meeting with the other lords and ladies, but to also come up with ideas as to where their next interaction with Naraku could take place. Yet most days upon leaving they were left with more questions than answers.

Akiko sighed, sitting back in her chair as their conversation was at another stand still. Staring at the map on the table there were pieces in place to show all of their allies and their positions, as well as their enemies. They needed an upper hand this time if they had a chance at survival. If the enemy attacked like they had before... the up hill battle for victory would be harder than the last time. And their chance at success would be lower than ever, and the odds had already been stacked against them the first time around.

"This has happened a many times before," Aisu spoke up. "Naraku has a habit of pulling back after a heavy loss to seem that he is defeated, so we come looking. Then he tries to attack when thinking our guard is down. The time will come again when he resurfaces. We just have to be ready for when that will be."

That comment irked the reincarnation in some ways. We just have to wait. Why though? Why were they always the ones waiting now? Waiting for things to get out of control and having to fight to regain stability back. She was tired of waiting and wanted to take action as soon as possible. This time it was Naraku and Lord Orochi's turn to fight back not on their terms. "Why would we wait?" Akiko suddenly questioned. And that drew every head at the table towards her. "Why don't we take the fight to them?"

"That's risky on so many levels," Hatsui said. "We'd be in their territory and we don't know what traps they has set."

"But if we continue to wait this war will drag out. If we're not making any headway then what's the point of all of this. We risk more by sitting around waiting than attacking head on, on our terms, and have a chance at surprising him. We can make this work if we're strategic. Together. Villagers have already been evacuated. We have our spies to watch the enemy's movements. And they still believe I am dead. Couldn't we use that to our advantage in some way to catch them by surprise, even if fighting on their lands? If there's the slightest chance it could work I'm willing to take it." They thought about this silently for a moment as she continued, "I'm not being impatient, I'm trying to think as Naraku has in the past with the way he's so smug and arrogant, always having an ace up his sleeve that he pulls out. Well now we have one."

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Akiko was right, but this would have to be planned carefully so there were no possibilities of failure. One slip up and it would be all over for them. If using her supposed death to their advantage could work it would need to be utilized in a way that would give them an unlimited upper hand to completely crush their enemies.

"We will make the suggestion to the others when the meeting is called," Sesshomaru finally voiced.

With the meeting over, the pack escorted Akiko back towards the cells, while the demon lord remained behind to sort over the maps a bit more on his own. "That was a risky proposition," Aisu finally voiced. "By doing that you may be offering yourself up as bait."

"If it will be giving us the element of surprise it's worth it," she answered.

"It could get you killed."

The young woman hummed. "I don't think I would be used as bait though. I'm sure once we meet the other lords and ladies will have ideas on how to incorporate me in their attack plans. Being bait wouldn't be advantageous in this scenario I believe."

"A surprise attack," Tobi commented.

"My thoughts exactly."

"It could work..."

They were nearly at their destination when Hatsui's ear suddenly flicked to the side causing him to pause. The others followed suit looking back at him and wondering why he had stopped. "Someone is here," he stated.

Immediately the wolves grew wary, listening closely to their surroundings and hearing new voices within the household, even new scents. "I recognize this smell..." Tobi muttered.

That was when Akiko began to notice the shouting in the distance as it echoed off the walls. "That sounds like..." she mused. Pushing through the pack Akiko began walking back the way they had come.

"Akiko, not alone," Aisu scolded as they went to catch up.

Miho had her hands full at the front entrance. Their unwelcomed visitors had just barged in unannounced and knew that if discovered Lord Sesshomaru would not be pleased in the slightest. If he hadn't noticed the intrusion already. "You cannot be here un–"

"Can it! We're here to see my brother for answers with or without your permission!"

"Inuyasha," the monk beside him scolded. "That is no way to speak to a lady."

Yes, the half-demon Inuyasha had barged in with his comrades looking for the demon lord in question. Miho had been walking by the entrance when it happened and at first worried they were under attack until realizing who it was. Now the servant understood the rules of the household, and one of the lord's rules was that his half-brother was notwelcomed inside the walls. She had to get them to leave. Right now.

"I don't care," the half-demon snapped. "Where is he? I know he's here so don't give me that bullshit that he's 'out on business'." Miho went to protest and beg them to wait outside. Just keeping them in the entrance hall was difficult as Inuyasha and his female companion in an odd uniform began advancing forward. She couldn't corral the both of them at once and was beginning to fear punishment for not following her lord's orders.

"What are you doing here?" The deadly voice drew their eyes to the far side of the entrance hall seeing Sesshomaru glaring down at them for the intrusion, though his sole focus was on Inuyasha, who's own displeased expression never wavered. Miho immediately bowed in his direction, praying he would understand that one of her had no chance at holding all of them back.

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"You!" the half-demon snarled. "What the hell are you playing at, huh? Couldn't bother to reach out and tell us?"

Not wishing this conversation to spill outside, should anyone be listening that shouldn't be, Miho scurried around the group to close the door behind them immediately understanding what was going on. "I have no idea what you mean."

"Feh, of course not. It's not like this would be something you'd care about, but we do!" And he pointed an accusing finger in his half-brother's direction. "You let her die!"

Then it dawned on the demon lord what Inuyasha was getting on about. "Stop jumping to conclusions when you do not know all the facts."

"We know everything! Couldn't bother to send out a messenger for Kagome's sake, she had to find out about it through a client of ours! Akiko is dead! And you better have a good explanation as to why you let that happen."

The half-demon refused to listen and it was beginning to irritate the lord, wishing to throw him out the door. "Please..." Kagome's voice finally spoke up. Her eyes were red from crying, cheeks a bit puffy as well. The reincarnation looked completely and utterly spent, worn out. "Just tell me what happened and where she's buried... I can't go home to tell our family until I know..."

"As I have said, you do not know all of the facts," Sesshomaru stated.

"Then explain it to me, please!" She was on the verge of breaking down again, not caring if it was in front of the demon lord. The death of her cousin had completely broken the teen and she didn't know how to handle it. Answers were the only thing Kagome had now to piece together what had happened.

"Kagome?" The voice had all six heads in the group snap to the right towards another doorway. Akiko stood there with some of the pack that managed to fit in the narrow arch, a bit confused to their sudden visit and concerned taking in Kagome's expression. "Has something happened?" The teen cried out in relief and ran towards her cousin to give a bone-crushing hug as she sobbed uncontrollably in her arms. Akiko held her back just as tightly completely concerned and looking to the others for an explanation, but they were just standing there dumbfounded. As if they had seen a ghost.

"You're alive," Kagome managed out between sobs. "You're alive! You're alive!"

That was when it all made sense. Due to the events that had transpired since the incident with Lord Orochi they had forgotten to reach out to Kagome and her friends. And the guilt of putting her cousin through that made her feel terrible. "I'm so sorry," Akiko profusely apologized. "There wasn't time... We forgot–" and she sighed heavily, "I promise, I'm all right." Managing to pull away the young woman began wiping away Kagome's tears with her thumbs. "I promise, I'm all better. But I won't lie that it was touch and go for a while there."

"When did this happen?" she hiccupped.

"A few months ago."

"Then why does everyone think you are dead?" Miroku questioned. "We were on a job when we were told by the head of the household."

"That... is a bit more complicated." And looking over to the demon lord he was being extremely patient standing there watching the scene unfold without a word. "With your permission, Lord Sesshomaru, may we all speak somewhere more private?"

"Very well," he finally answered. "In the study." Turning away he left them to travel at their own pace as Akiko kept reassuring Kagome that she was fine and also coaxed the others into following. The pack was close at their heels the whole way, leaving a shocked Miho behind, who couldn't believe that Lord Sesshomaru didn't throw them all out. But rather than question his actions left to return to her duties. The fact she had not been reprimanded was a feat in itself and the demon wasn't about to bring it to attention.

Sesshomaru was silently waiting in the study when they arrived, the map having been cleared away from the table as Tobi pushed the door closed behind them. He stood guard with Tatara to be sure they weren't disturbed. Kagome was offered a seat, completely exhausted from the whirlwind of emotions that she had been fluctuating between in the last ten minutes alone. Shippo was the one to comfort the teen since Inuyasha was completely on edge in his brother's presence. Not only was he remaining too calm, but he was also allowing them entrance into his home. The demon lord was obviously up to something and Inuyasha didn't trust him in the slightest. What was his gain in all of this?

"I will try to explain this to the best of my ability," Akiko stated. She was leaning against the main table in front of them seeming to think carefully over her next few words. "My death was almost imminent, but apparently I have nine lives."

"Naraku struck again?" Sango wondered.

"An ally of his. I would suggest steering clear of the Snake Clan. Lord Orochi is a loyal follower of his."

"And how did you cross his path if you knew this?" Miroku asked.

"I walked through his front doors." Their jaws dropped open at that and how she had been so bold to do such a thing. "There were rumors that Lord Orochi was in league with him before I went to the household. He had requested an audience since I was traveling throughout Japan looking for allies against Naraku. He showed interest. As suspected it was a trap and we managed to escape... but I was bit by one of his followers during the fight and poisoned. It was the same kind that killed the lord of the Hawk Clan."

"How did you survive that if he didn't?"

"Tobi kept my body temperature low to prevent it from spreading quickly. And the fact that I had not moved as much as the demon lord is what saved me. But the antidote was rare and a hard find. I was lucky it was discovered by Lord Sesshomau in time." Inuyasha about scoffed at the comment, having a hard time believing the demon helped her in that kind of way, but Kagome cut in before that could happen.

"But why say you were dead?" she sniffled.

"Because it was Naraku's plan to kill me so we decided to play his game. All of our allies have. We allowed a rumor to spread across the lands that I had passed to make Naraku believe that he had won. This led him to attack the households with his demon horde trying to see if it was true and thinking that our alliance would easily fall without my involvement. He was wrong to doubt us. It happened almost immediately after I regained consciousness. Because of everything that was happening here we forgot to let you all know since our forces were stretched thin. We also couldn't risk this secret from getting out and I hope you could forgive me for that."

"How have you managed to stay out of sight?" Inuyasha asked.

"I haven't been going outside. And I've taken up residence in the dungeons for the time being because it wasn't safe with Naraku's forces on our doorstep. A spy could slip in and if they caught sight of me everything could have fallen apart."

"You're dressed as a servant."

"Well, since we managed to push back Naraku, I have been active about the household again trying to plan our next course of action with everyone. The need to blend in was crucial in case they came back without warning." She wouldn't speak of the other reason she was in this uniform. Sesshomaru would not wish for his half-brother to know he was injured and that would be their secret.

"What can we do to help?" Miroku asked.

"You still need to keep up the appearance that I have died," the young woman stated. "If Naraku meets you out in the open he will use that information against you. If you have no reaction he will begin to question the rumor. You have to feed into it. My death is one of the few chances we've got to have an upper hand against him if we plan this correctly."

"He believes the north is truly his now," Sango concluded.

Akiko nodded. "Without a ruler, yes, he is under the impression no one will challenge him for it. Those with their own households would only be concerned with what they currently possess. And now his eyes are set on taking that away as well."

"When will he attack?" Shippo asked.

"We're not quite sure," Akiko answered. Glancing over at Sesshomaru, the demon's eyes met hers in a silent manner. "Honestly, when have we ever known? Right now, the households need to collaborate to come up with a plan of attack in the coming weeks."

"We want to fight," Kagome suddenly spoke up, drawing her cousin's attention back. "I don't care where it is or what is at stake I want to fight. He will have jewel shards in his possession that will be used against us. You will need me to find and purify them. And... this could be the only chance we have to complete the shard."

"I wouldn't think of leaving any of you out of the fight. Once something is organized we will send word to you. But just know the orders will not be under my name."

"We will keep an eye out," Sango said.

"I think you all should stop traveling outside the village," Akiko suggested. "It is so dangerous I would hate for anything to happen to any of you. I know the shards are still out there, but put that on hold for the time being."

"Actually... we think we've managed to gather up all of them, except for what Naraku has," Kagome stated.

That surprised the pack, demon, and reincarnation. "Really?" The group nodded. "How did you figure that?"

"We've hit every corner of the country. No more have surfaced in the last few months."

"Have you figured out what to do with the shard once it's whole? To keep it out of Naraku's hands?" Aisu asked.

"We're... still working out the final details on that." The student was embarrassed that there was no solution yet to that problem. It felt as though she was behind and Akiko could see that written all over her face, giving her an encouraging smile,

"Don't worry. We still have time. And I know all of you will find a way before then. You're determined and have never let anyone down before."

"And you'll be fine here?"

"I promise. I'm not going anywhere. With the Western forces and the pack here I am well protected. And I'll kill anyone that tries to take my life again."

"Well, I'm glad this had a happy ending," Miroku spoke up.

However, the lighthearted nature of the conversation suddenly turned before the group could leave. "And what do you have to say about all of this?" Inuyasha directed at his half-brother. Sesshomaru stood there with an unreadable expression staring him down. "Akiko being alive is nice and all, but I still blame you for letting her get that close to death in the first place."

"I do not have to explain my actions to you," the demon lord answered. "And be careful of what you say next. You should be thankful I've allowed you to stay this long in my household."

Teeth bearing, Inuyasha was about to launch a verbal attack, but the young woman had enough of his immature nature. "Inuyasha," Akiko's stern voice stopped him from saying anything further. "Without your brother I wouldn't be here right now speaking to all of you. It was my choice to chance the dangerous situation with the Snake Clan and it came with a consequence. Leave it alone."

Biting his tongue, he was annoyed with the interruption sending another glare in Sesshomaru's direction. "Are you sure you're all right?" Kagome asked her cousin once more with slight worry.

The reincarnation gave her another reassuring smile. "I promise, and I'm glad you came. Again, I'm sorry for the way you found out and what I put you through."

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