Of Stories Untold by Rin Akarui

The War of the Lords

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Inuyasha Characters (Rumiko Takahashi does). All other names and places are figments of my imagination and can be criticized in any way! 

So I'm still working on editing the final chapters of Appassionata so it's currently on hiatus for now. (It's hard to implement musical knowledge properly without messing it up!) Bear with me with the slow updates =/

Enjoy "Of Stories Untold"!

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 "Lord Sesshomaru!" A panting soldier ran towards the silver haired leader of the army. "They approach milord! They approach!"

            Sesshomaru InuTaisho breathed gently and eased his horse from the frantic moving, the rival army faced his troops with a foreboding and eerie silence before they clashed. Never before had he raised an army of men and youkai ready to face the Eastern lord's men, some were facing against their own brothers and fathers; yet Sesshomaru knew of the consequences. 'I wonder what even made us start fighting in the first place...' He shook his head and raised his sword Bakusaiga in the air, yelling the charge to continue and meet the opposing army.

            As the armies clashed, there was one thing on the youkai lord's mind; seizing victory and hoping to end the unnecessary war between the lords of the four lands.

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            There once were four mighty lords of the land. To the North there was the elder dragon lord, his power and might was one that the people respected and feared, but he was a kind and gentle ruler who only wanted the best for his people. To the South there laid the agile wolf lord, his swift feet could travel faster and longer than any other lord, however he was inexperienced in leading a nation and was the youngest out of all the lords. To the East was the cunning panther lord, he was very intelligent and was the wisest of them all, but he sought out the dark arts and craved for power. To the West was the respected dog lord, he was the balance between all the lords and people revered him, he was understanding and trusted what his heart followed him.

            All had met every month on the second phase of the moon in the middle of their land's borders and discussed plans for the future and traded advice. They were all friends and had known each other before the forming of their individual lands. One day the panther lord, Nekame had argued for uniting their lands to allow the spread of ideas and intelligence; however the other lords had disagreed to protect themselves from Nekame's dark plan. As the dog lord, Inu no Kami stepped forward he banished Nekame from the meeting, this split the lords up. Inu no Kami was defended by his young cousin Okamu of the wolf lands and Ryukamo sided with Nekame. The friends were broken into two groups as they continued to bicker about who were right or not; the four lords had begun the legendary war of the lords.

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            "My lord Sesshomaru, you've requested to see me?" A young man kneeled before the sitting general as he waited for a reply.

            "Captain Higurashi, where is your general?" The inuyoukai said, emphasizing 'general' with displeasure. "Why is he not present by your side?"

            "General Shinde... is unavailable my lord. He is... busy at the moment." He hesitated for a second, feeling Sesshomaru's glares upon him intensify.

            Sesshomaru was annoyed that his father had trusted such an insignificant youkai to be a general, he massaged his forehead with his index finger and sighed, and he was close to executing the general and replacing him with a more suitable recruit. Souta remained kneeling as he her boisterous laughter coming from behind him, sweat beaded upon the nape of his neck knowing it was his drunken general who was late.

            "Shinde... you are late." The demon lord hissed as the drunken general quickly saluted him and kneeled beside the captain. "What is the meaning of this insubordination?"

            "M-My lord, Captain Souta had offered me a little alcohol to celebrate the-the victory over the dragon lord's troops. H-How could I resist s-such and o-off-offer?" He said slightly slurring his words and changing his voice level. "I-It won't ha-happen again me lord."

            Sesshomaru was not stupid to know that Shinde had just pitted the blame of his actions upon his lower ranked officer, which was one of Sesshomaru's biggest pet peeves as he unsheathed his sword and prepared to swipe his head off his shoulders. The dog lord paused and looked at Souta who was now in a state of trying to calm him for the punishment that was at hand, not noticing that the blade was directed towards General Shinde.

            "Captain Higurashi... would you like me to end this commander officer's life for insubordination?" Sesshomaru slowly asked as the human lifted his eyes to see his lord's face. "Be frank with this Sesshomaru, would you like a promotion?"

            Souta knew that this was a part of his lord's sick humor as the captain paused and wondered at what some of the high points to having the lesser demon's position in his army. Being the first ever human general would have broke barriers but it would have tainted Sesshomaru's reputation; the captain rose to his feet and met the youkai with stern eyes.

            "With feeling, yes my lord. However, killing one of your generals could taint your reputation as the Western ruler. Perhaps I will gain the position honorably and-" He was cut off with Sesshomaru's hand lifting in the air to halt his words.

            "This Sesshomaru's reputation is none of your concern, Captain Higurashi. I am glad such a loyal soldier has faith in your leader, perhaps it shall be shown when you are the general." The dog demon smirked and beheaded the drunkard, as Souta remained steady. "Very well Higurashi, you've become the next general. Do not fail me on the battlefield." 

            Souta bowed and exited the tent, deep down he knew that Sesshomaru had expected much from him, since he was the first ever human general to ever lead part of his army. His thoughts traced back to his sister, wondering what she would think of him being a general in the one man that she despised. 'What?! You became a general for HIM?! The idiot who cannot even learn to accept that the war between the lords is an idiotic concept to control the most land? Souta...' He shook the thought away from his mind and stared at the regal looking youkai generals that Sesshomaru had; compared to his armor and weapon, the generals looked as if they had never been in battle and their swords were still clean of blood.

            "A human general?" One of the other commanders sneered as Souta made his way towards the ransacked tent he had at the poorer side of the camp. "I wonder what made Lord Sesshomaru think of instating such a weak leader? Perhaps to show that the other ones are stronger and more reliable."

            He stopped in his tracks and with lighting speed withdrew his blade, halting at the smug youkai soldier's neck with the tip embedded into the skin. All men who witnessed it nearly dropped their mouths as Souta's eyes turned into mere slits, enraged at the racist comment that he just blurted out as other generals walked towards him.

            "General Souta." The eldest of them all spoke softly as the newly stated leader turned to face him, not letting go of his blade. "Why are you threatening a soldier?"

            "General Tenku... forgive me I was out of line and place to threat one of my own soldiers." Souta spoke before he sheathed his sword back at his side. "I was acting irrationally because of my emotions."

            "Uemari, do you know why this human became a general?" Another general stepped forward and berated the youkai soldier. "General Souta was the one who led the charge against the last of the northern lord's remaining army. As he was the last survivor of his own regiment, he fulfilled the mission against a thousand men. Lord Sesshomaru recognized such loyal and bravery that he had killed the Shinde for insubordination and cowardice." The golden haired general youkai smirked and withdrew his own blade against the soldier's neck. "Perhaps I should finish you off myself..."

            "Hataki, Tenku, Souta!" Sesshomaru walked towards the men as everyone around him bowed and stayed still. "What's going on here?"

            "This lowly solider insulted General Souta... We were just merely showing him the repercussions..." Hataki murmured as the taiyoukai raised his eyebrow. "Forgive me."

            "It is quite alright Hataki. Souta! Are you letting this soldier belittle you?" Sesshomaru couldn't help but smirk, seeing what the human would do in this situation.

            Souta pondered for a moment before walking to face the cowering youkai, he held his hand upon the hilt of his blade and swiftly retreated from drawing it. Hataki smiled and sheathed his own blade, quickly throwing a punch to the pathetic cur who called the human out. The rest of the men shrugged and continued back to their tents as Souta continued his way back. He had a lot to write to his sister.

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            The priestess of the mountains meditated in the garden of the shrine, she inhaled and exhaled deeply, listening to the sounds of nature. One of the messengers ran towards her holding a message, interrupting her daily peace time as she opened her sapphire eyes to see him kneel before her.

            "You have a letter from your brother, Lady Kagome." She grasped the letter gently, smiling before dismissing the man from the garden.

Kagome,

I know you said this war is completely pointless, and that I stay and help with the family shrine, but the people going through the northern and eastern lords' oppression need to be freed. Isn't it one of the old principles our teacher spoke about, that everyone is to be equal and sustain freedom in what they do? I know you dislike the upcoming tidbit I'm going to write, but Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands has made me the first human general.

            She let out a frustrated sigh and shook her head, she disliked the dog general for his brash actions towards his decision to create an immediate summoning of all able-bodied young men as she read on.

I spoken about you to the lord, he seems interested in meeting with you after all this war is done. Don't get me wrong, you are the high priestess of the village and all, but you need to find a man for once Kags. I'll be home soon, if not expect one of my letters! 

Love,

Souta.

            Kagome rose to her feet and held the letter carefully; since her family died it was always her and her brother. She had grown up to be a fine woman, and he grew up with the adventurous spirit that their father had. Not surprisingly, Kagome had taken the role of being the head priestess and Souta wanted the natural glory of what soldiers experienced on the battle field. She walked to her room and withdrew the fancy letter box Souta had made before he left, placing the new parchment along with the rest of the letters.

            Things had been different since the men had left the village and fought for their families, Kagome was so use to the boyish jokes her brother would say, that the silence of the household gotten to her. She couldn't believe it was only six months since he left. Six months of praying and hoping he would return without harm.

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            "Souta!" Hataki entered his tent as the young human stirred from his nap; his blue lazy orbs stared back at the mischievous golden ones. "Quit dreaming about your hot ass sister!"

            "Hataki... if we hadn't known each other from the village I would have kick your ass by now." He spoke before he yawned groggily. "I was dreaming of when this war would be over, and when I can finally go back to the mountain shrine and sleep comfortably in my own room."

            "By the way, Lord Sesshomaru-"

            "General Hataki, there is no need for you to relay the message when I am already here." Sesshomaru smirked as the two generals got to the feet and bowed slightly. "At ease... we have new information on the scouts about the eastern lord's army. Apparently they plan on heading towards... Mountain... Mountain Hakurei?"

            Souta's face drained with blood as he exited the tent with haste, Sesshomaru and Hataki following close behind him as he prepared to travel to the mountain.

            "Souta! What are you doing?! You can go there alone! It would be suicide!" Hataki screamed at his friend who placed on his armor and ventured atop a horse. "You should wait until-"

            "Hataki, Tenku, you are to go with him to Mount Hakurei." Sesshomaru ordered as the Tenku rushed to find a horse leaving Hataki speechless. "Take fifty of your best men there... I will lead the main force to follow you." He paused to stare at Souta's fierce blue orbs. "Souta... do not do anything rash... that is an order."

            "I can't just leave my sister defenseless there! Kagome will..." He paused and sighed before speaking back to Sesshomaru. "I understand my lord."

            The three generals ordered hurried to the mountain, as Sesshomaru grimaced, the war was only towards the rulers of the lands. Getting innocents involved was a cowardly tactic and it angered Sesshomaru. ‘I will not allow such impudence to harm villagers on MY lands!‘ He called attention his most experienced and wisest remaining generals for a plan. If his forces could not arrive at the mountain in time, they wanted to minimize causalities, and he wanted Souta to stay alive. He did not want to lose someone who was valuable to his army.