Sesshomaru and His Love CX

Chapter CX: The Gathering

The guests arrived at Akira's lair a little while ago, she observed her guests one by one. She remembered them when they were mere pups. However, there was a stranger amongst them. This stranger was handsome, indeed. He was an inu-youkai. A red one like her. He had the most beautiful turquoise eyes that she has ever seen in her long life. His red hair was shining in the light. It looked silky, too. She wondered if his hair felt as silky as it looked. She tried to focus on her other guests, but her eyes kept on going back to him like they were drawn to him. She fell prey to her curiosity and went to the stranger that was wearing a violet kimono, that had his true form embroidered on the back, that had a black obi. He wore armor that was similar to Sesshomaru's, but his has more youkai-infused steel. Strange to wear armor in such a gathering as such as that she was currently hosting.

She taped on the stranger's shoulder to get his attention. Once she had it, she said, "Hello, stranger. This Akira believes she'd never had a pleasure to make your acquaintance. May this hostess have this stranger's name."

The said stranger smirked at her seductively, "This stranger's name is Orochi, milady. He has long to make your acquaintance." He took her hand and kiss the back of it, which earned him a deep blush from her.

Orochi couldn't believe his luck, meeting the very person that could be all youkai-kind's downfall. Akira loved the sound of his voice. It was deep and sensual. She cleared her throat, " Well, I am Akira. Orochi, where are you from? How did you know about this gathering?"

Without hesitation he replied, "This one's from the south. He heard from down the grape vine that you wanted to go to war against the Lord of the West."

She pondered on his answer. "So, you are his enemy, then?"

"Something like that." She didn't like his vague answer, but she let it slide.

"Who did you came with? She means, you looked like you'd just return from a mission."

"This one came in as his own person, which means he works for no one."

"Are you by chance wanting to be in this one's army?"

"Yes, milady."

"Oh?" A nod was her answer. "Well, Orochi, this one doesn't like weakness. You have to prove yourself to her. If you are strong as you look, then you would make a great addition to her army. Excuse this one, Orochi, but she has some announcements to make."

He watched Akira leave to go to the podium, He was captivated by her beauty. He needed to be careful, though. His sister had warned him that youkai's inner beast may possibly sense him as not one of them. He would have to thank his sister afterwards.

Speaking of his sister.....

Ichiko was excited how perfect the spell was. It was so simple, but gathering the ingredients of said spell was a pain-in-the-ass. Zokushi was with Yamiko comforting him as best as she could while Ichiko rumbled how easy to fool her evil brother. Zokushi looked at the pup. The poor pup seemed to get worst. She'd never felt useless as she felt then. For Kami's sake, she was a miko-youkai. She should be able to help the pup, but she couldn't matter how much she wanted to.

Ichiko stopped her rumbling. She walked toward the miko-youkai and the pup. Zokushi sensed her there and confided, "I don't know what to do for him but to be here for him." Ichiko put her hand on Zokushi's shoulder and then gave a gentle squeeze. Zokushi, while holding the pup, put her hand on top of hers, then squeezed in reply. "I need to see Inuhime soon. I imagine she's worried about me."

"And about the pup."

"I'll take him with me."

Ichiko's eyes widened and yelled softly as to make sure she didn't woke up the pup, "Are you crazy?! Akira will surely want to show off her infant pup to her guests that whenever she did take over the Western throne. She will have an heir already."

"Pttf, please, the she-devil doesn't care about Yamiko."

"Ho-how and why would you say that kind of thing?"

"It's simple. First of all, the pup's weak. She wouldn't show a weak heir to those who will allied with her. Secondly, she would have postponed the gathering at a later date to spend this time with him. Did she do that? No, she didn't. Thirdly, the mother wouldn't ever leave her pup whenever he/she has weaken to a point of death."

"Why would she postponed it?"

Zokushi looked at her clearly annoyed and irritated. "Because she would want to spend all of her time with her pup."

Ichiko could heard the irritation in Zokushi's voice. "Why are you so irritated?"

Zoku groaned in annoyance, "Because I went to see Akira before coming here. I told her that she needs to stay with her son. She looked at him in disgust and basically said she doesn't want a weak pup. Even though, I hate the bitch. I tried... Kami, I tried so hard to get her to understand that Yamiko needs his mother. She just looked at me like she didn't care. She even told me to take her son and get rid of him. I just,' she looked down at the pup in sorrow. "I just can't do that. How can she be so cruel? I mean even if he's in a weaken state, a mother would just be there for her pup until he/she has passed on. I am thinking that I should return to the Western Palace."

"And leave me with a brother from hell and a she-devil."

"Don't you wish to leave," she asked in confusion.

"Uh.... of course, I want to leave, but what if my brother's spell fades."

Zoku shrugged carelessly, "That's his problem; not ours. Remember? We made that spell to last a certain amount of time. Then when the time comes, he will unknowingly reveal himself to Akira and her allies. Kami, I hope I am there to witness such a thing. It would be priceless."

Ichiko sighed. Yes, Orochi was her brother, but he had always made her feel uneasy. "I thought you were going to see Inuhime to examine the pup."

"I am. Are you coming?"

Ichiko downcast her eyes and thought for a moment. She nodded like she had just made her final decision on the matter. She looked at Zokushi. "Yes."

Zokushi smirked. "We'll leave after dark." Zokushi laid the ill pup down in her futon and then put up a barrier. "We best see what Akira has to say to her guests."

Ichiko nodded in agreement. Zokushi disguised herself as a fellow guest to the gathering. When she and Ichiko made it to the foyer that would lead to the throne room. Once they were there, it seemed that they made it in just a nick of time. Ichiko commented on it as Zokushi nodded in agreement.

Akira began her announcements, "Ladies and gentleman... welcome to this one's humble abode. She really appreciates you for coming. As this Akira said in your invitations that this very gathering is about getting what we want most, from gaining the throne to revenge. This Akira understands that a whole lot of you want to act upon your darkest, deepest desire on your archenemy. This one knows that each one of you have grudges against those Cardinal Lords. She doesn't care of what they are about. Her only concern is that you must commit yourselves fully to our desires and that you understand that she is after one thing and one thing only." Although most, if not all, knew why she was willing to rage war against the four lords was because of Sesshomaru and his love for that miko bitch and for that humiliating defeat at the last annual gathering. They wanted to have their share of the Lord of the West and the other Cardinal Lords, too. They wanted to take every ounce of their possessions. This upcoming war is about an 'all or nothing' concept, which means they were willing to give their very lives for a chance to destroy their foes. It didn't mattered to them if they'd families to take care of or not. All of it would be worth it in the end.

After a moment, Akira said, "After tonight, there will be no turning back. So if there are cowards here, then leave at once. However, if any word of this came to those fools, who dare to do whatever he/she did to you, then this one will personally kill you. It wouldn't be a quick death, either, but a slow, painful death will await for you."

Afterwards, Zokushi and Ichiko left with the infant pup, Yamiko, without leaving a single trace of them behind.
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Meanwhile at the Western Palace....

Inuhime was thinking about what happened three months ago. Then suddenly,she felt strong arms snaked around her waist and the feeling that someone was smelling her hair. She knew who it was, but she waited for him to speak first. She didn't have to wait for long.

"Inuki, what's going on in that beautiful mind of yours?"

"Oh, nothing." Hikaru frowned and said, "Don't lie to me, mate. You know, that I am here for you; no matter if it's just a shoulder to cry on or someone to vent out to."

Inuhime sighed. She should had known that about him. Besides, he would just keep pestering her until he got whatever he wanted from her, especially, when he knew something was the matter with her.

"I was reflecting about everything what has happened in the past year." She felt him nodding his head. "I am also worried about Zoku."

Hikaru sighed, "My himesama*, Zoku can take care of herself," he said while holding her from behind. "Also, you shouldn't stress yourself because...." He moved one of my strong hands to her baby bump. "... you are having my pup."

Yes, within those three months, Inuhime found out that she was pregnant. To say that she was happy, was an understatement. She was excited. She screamed, that she was with pup so loud, that the whole estate had heard her.