Rogue Warrior

Chapter 3:

Drip drip... drip drip... drip drip...

A soft but definite dripping of water-somewhere she couldn't really pin point- was the only sound marring the absolute quiet there. Her heartbeat was a quiet strumming in her ears, her breath calm and even almost like she was meditating. She was not worried at all.

Drip drip...

The cold stone dungeon floor felt hard against her knees. Her hands were chained low to the wall, making her kneel all day.

Drip drip...

The only source was a burning torch on the wall opposite the door. The flame was low and cast a ring of dull orange light.

Drip drip...

Her black outfit caused her to almost blend with the shadows. It also covered all gashes leaving only those on her face to be seen. The blood from that day was still there- now partly dried and sticky.

Drip drip...

Her head was bent down partially covered by her dark locks and she just stayed there motionless.

Drip-step-step-step-step-

Resounding steps disturbed the quiet. Soldiers- they were the only ones who ever came there-no guessing necessary. A shadow blocked the light. The lock to her cell opened with a soft click as one of the keys among the jingling bunch was inserted. The heavy steps were close now, right in front of her.

A clawed hand lifted her head roughly making her look up. Cold, dispassionate but defiant brown eyes glared at the youkai. "So girl, still have some strength in you I see. Would you use it and tell us who you are or do you need more persuasion?" the youkai asked her. "I don't care. There is nothing I'd tell the likes of you." She said in a sort of sleepy voice, maybe it was fatigue or it was just her.

"Hmm, a girl with an attitude, you really gotta lose it." There was no aggression in his voice but no kindness either. He stood up and nodded to the other youkai. A crack of a whip resounded in the air threateningly. He came forward and the whip came down on her.

Someone else was the dungeons. A cry of pain echoed as he almost reached the cell. HE picked up his pace. "What are you doing?" Inuyasha's voice sounded from just outside. "You were ordered to keep her here and find out about her, not torture her!"

"We were ordered to get information. If she puts up resistance, it's natural to bring it down." The youkai put his argument forward. "Yeah? Well quit it. Sesshoumaru wants her. Now!"

The guard grumbled slightly under her breath. He pulled out the key bunch to unlock the cuffs. Her hands immediately touched the floor balancing her body at an odd angle as one hand was still bound. The other hand was also free.

‘This moment was very crucial. The perfect moment to escape, risky but just the right amount of surprising on her part could fool the three youkai. She could have been saving energy. She could have a hidden tool somewhere. Her swords were kept away but who knew if she had other weapons that they hadn't found?' he thought as she stood up on her own- a bit shaky but not too bad. ‘Then again she might not so foolish. This was a youkai castle, after all. There would be no escape.'

The guards tied her hands back. She didn't struggle. Her eyes met his. ‘She is far too calm...' he thought. ‘Come to think of it, she hadn't struggled at all. Sure, she refused to talk, but she was far too quiet. There was something he was missing here...'

The voice of the guard shook him out of his thoughts. He led them to Sesshoumaru. ‘She didn't look around at all- not looking for an escape or try to know where she was'. Inuyasha was confused by her behavior but let it be, for now. For once he made a somewhat quiet entrance.

Sesshoumaru sat on the throne. He was wearing a white formal kimono, plain except for the red sakura flowers on his sleeve and shoulder and an obi tied in an extensive knot. He wore his pelt on his right shoulder, armor with spikes and two swords tucked on his side. The royal markings on his face stood out boldly on his pale complexion- two maroon stripes on each cheek and a blue crescent moon on his forehead. Long platinum silver hair reaching his back spread neatly behind him

Next to him, his advisors sat.

The guards immediately bowed to his highness. She didn't. One guard forcefully bent her head. "Bow down to the lord, girl!" A few murmurs filled the room but soon became quiet as the prisoner raised her head back slowly.

"What is her name?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"We do not know Sesshoumaru-sama. She refuses to speak" One of the guards answered him with a mixture of fear and respect in his voice.

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes slightly considering the situation. "Onna, what is your name?" he finally asked her. She didn't immediately answer. Instead, she straightened her back.

"Kikyo..." She stated quietly but proudly looking into his eyes. A few moments passed and a frown crossed Sesshoumaru's face.

"What crimes has this girl committed?" the lord asked. One of the courtiers opened a parchment and began listing out the various crimes recorded under the rogue warrior's name. The lord nodded as the list ended.

"Do you accept the charges?" he asked Kikyo.

"If they are really crimes..." she answered.

"Taking law into one's hands is considered a crime."

"I made sure I acted in places there was no law at all, Lord Sesshoumaru" She smirked almost unnoticeably.

"What you say does not make sense. All your crimes were in the kingdom of Honshu. Hence you did break laws." A courtier asked. Many agreed with him.

"Silence!" one of the senior advisor ordered. The court fell silent. "Milord..."

"I have decided the action to be taken... from today you are serve the army of Honshu with or without your consent. You will be the General of South east division."

The court was enraged. Many angry protests were heard.

"How can you make this onna a general?" a hi youkai asked.

"She is a convict, not even worthy of being alive after killing so many nobles!" a kitsune shouted.

"Silence!" this time it was Sesshoumaru who raised his voice. Every voice fell silent. "This onna has killed many powerful nobles and also soldiers sent to capture her. From the records you will observe that each of these official have committed crimes themselves. Also the villages have flourished after she killed the official. But her crime is taking law into her hands. Therefore, taking her strength, the current situation and other factors into consideration, this is the decision I have taken."

"I have a request" a voice said. It was Kikyo. Sesshoumaru nodded. "Before I take up my duties, I would like to visit my family." She said.

Something flashed in her eyes as she said that. "Very well, but you will be accompanied by Inuyasha"

"What the hell? I ain't going anywhere with that wench." Inuyasha immediately refused.

"Inuyasha meet me in the study. The court may disperse." He said and stood up to leave. Inuyasha followed him.

"What do you think you're doing?" demanded Inuyasha after they reached a relatively empty hallway.

"I want you to find out something for me please" Sesshoumaru said cooly.

"Are you even listening to me?"

"Meet me in the study after dinner for the rest of the details" he said and walked away.

"Come back here, teme!" shouted Inuyasha even if it was just to get the last word but didn't bother following him.

"Sesshoumaru-sama! Sesshoumaru-sama! Wait for your lowly loyal servant" shouted Jaken as he stumbled past Inuyasha and ran after his lord.

Tripping on his two headed staff several times. Jaken the Kappa youkai and a loyal vassal of Sesshoumaru (AN: more of an irritating tail) reached his lord.

"Milord, why make that baka ningen onna a general when you have so many better warriors at your disposal, not that I doubt your decision. Kikyo-" Jaken blabbered.

A foot landed on the toad's head. "Shut up Jaken" said Sesshoumaru and went into the study. ‘Who are you really...Kikyo?' he thought fleetingly before starting his paperwork.

Today's author's talkies presents: "What we love about Jaken!"

Ø  Favourite thing about Jaken's looks is his height, or lack thereof and how he can be easily bonked ‘accidently' or even stepped.

Ø  The best of Jaken is seen when he soars across the country courtesy of milord's feet

Ø  Favourite apparel is a pink skirt and flowers...

Ø  His favourite phrase is ‘baka ningen' and mine ‘baka Kappa' J

Please Review. Your support is very appreciated. I was just being random

Sayonara for now.