Disclaimer: I do not own Kohaku, Kanna, Jaken or Naraku (Thank God) or any of the other original characters in this unbelievably wondrous and amazing Anime/Manga series. They are the property of the incomparable Rumiko Takahashi and her subsidiaries and remain exclusively her fantastic creations.

I do own Kuroushirou, Kuma No Yukinshuro, and (shamefacedly) all the despicably evil members of the Kurohyouyami family; and any of my own characters and ideas that appear in this story. If you wish to make use of any of them in your own work, you are welcome, but please give me credit, and I would appreciate it if you asked my permission as well, though I know we are all borrowing Rumiko Takahashi's characters and world without her permission.

This story is for entertainment purposes only and will not be used for profit or financial gain in any way. I don't own this series, I make no money from it, nor do I ever want to. I do get the pay-off of playing and exploring Takahashi's incredible world, which is entirely too enjoyable for my own good.

Introduction/Summary/Warning: I have to admit that I cried after I wrote this chapter. I really wanted to give poor Kohaku a break. Unfortunately the Muses were merciless in this and, helplessly, I obey. As a consolation, the Muse of Comedy had her say as well, and some of you more "seasoned" readers might find some amusement in the descriptions of some of the following characters' - um... "physical" features as detailed below. Admittedly it is a black comedy.

Faithful readers might also recognize the new bad guys who have entered the scene; the Kurohyouyami, from the chapter "A Brother's Confession," but willy-nilly we will get to know them a bit better than just the passing mention they were given in that chapter.

Warning: There is considerable darkness in this chapter; references to underage sexual assault, torture, rape and violence; mature readers suggested. (like 16+, a very mature 16) Again, nothing is graphic, but it is still unpleasant.

There will be a glossary included at the end of the chapter, for certain names and strictly Japanese words. Thanks for your patience, once again and enjoy.

Chapter Thirty Two: A Dark Alliance Begun

Kohaku moved shadow-like through the changed halls of the dark palace that had been his prison for so many months. How different everything was now! The halls once empty and miasma choked were bustling with servants. Mostly they were the Kubai Kappa, like what Jaken had once been; imps. They were however male and female. The females had red skins and small horns on their bald heads, and their eyes were dark turquoise blue in color, with red pupils. They had black bat wings and were usually naked, though their loins and breasts appeared featureless and hairless, as if they wore skin-tight garments over them, that blended perfectly into their skin. There were Humans here too, both in the palace and out in the newly developed village, growing quickly on the transformed land.

The land around the palace, once barren and empty was now lush and full of greenery, but the plants were strange and sinister, like twisted versions of the more familiar plants of the natural world along with some that he had never seen before in his life. Even the plants that the villagers now cultivated, mostly for the consumption of those in the palace, were strange looking, but also not poisonous, though they had a strange taste to them, recognizable as to what their origin plants might have been, but with a hotter, spicier flavor. The herd animals were vaguely recognizable as sheep and chickens and goats, with a few steers thrown in, and the fish farm catches were similar enough to the fish that had been their original forms, but they were also strange in appearance and their flesh had a more peppery and exotic taste. Kohaku was always grateful when hunting parties returned with "normal" game from the world outside these sinister lands.

The Humans were rotated through shifts both in the village where they produced food and goods for the use of the palace's residents; or as ordinary palace servants; and for most under the age of 30, as slaves within the walls. Though the miasma within the palace halls was no longer fatal to Humans and in fact transformed even the most ordinary young person into the ideal of mortal beauty, it still kept them weak, and powerless to protect themselves. Only Kohaku seemed to be able to function at his normal strength (and appearance), but only when his Dark Masters willed it. The humans who were currently consigned as "special attendants" (slaves) were used for both food and forced pleasure by the Black Youkai that resided in, and visited the palace. It mattered not if they were male or female, not even if they were children, for all children 10 years and above were forced in the same way. They had shackles on their wrists and ankles, and steel collars locked about their necks, so that they could be kept and bound in whatever way their "Masters" saw fit.

They were not killed and were healed directly after their time of "service" ended, but Kohaku was worldly enough by now to know what that "service" entailed and it made him shudder in horror. They wore only undergarments of black linen or silk and the occasional short kosode kimono or shitake. They wandered the halls, dispirited and frightened, or knelt helplessly at one of their "Master's" feet, often led around by that master with a leash of chain, locked onto their collars. Thankfully, the "service" sessions were done in private, within the "Masters'" sound-proof chambers; and when their shift as "special attendants" ended and they returned to normal work in the village, both their strength and their looks returned to normal.

Still despite the hard lot of their position, it paled in comparison to the victims brought in by the Corps of toad demons, who collected them for the use of themselves and others. Kept in an unnatural sleep they were trapped within egg-like globes of power. When they arrived, they were usually dressed, but did not stay that way for long. Kohaku had once wandered innocently into one of the "larders," to see that all of the unfortunate victims stored there, had been stripped to the skin! He had fled from that place, rushed out into one of the nearest gardens and retched into the border plants. He had also heard the screams of those that were taken out to feed, not just the toads, but other hell demons too; those of higher caste than the previous ones that had always lingered around Naraku, though those creatures were still present as well.

The Lady Tsubaki told him that those unfortunates trapped within the Hellish globes were previous and continued victims of Naraku, who had been forced back into full life and transcendent beauty, for the sole purpose of supplying an undying source of this blackest form of sustenance.

Tsubaki had been given a reprieve and her time of birth was delayed until Hakudoshi and Juromaru; Kami! How Kohaku missed Juromaru, returned from their journey. They would bring even more Human and Youkai slaves and followers to populate the palace and growing village, and yes, there were evil-minded humans who swore allegiance to Naraku, The Lord Kuroushirou and now the Lord Kuma No Yukinshuro as well. They were treated as allies and vassals, not as slaves.

Kohaku could still not believe that Lord Kuroushirou was related to Inuyasha and Lord Sesshomaru! How had such an evil being come from that glorious family? Still, Tsubaki, when she was feeling kinder, had confided to Kohaku that she was grateful for the reprieve. "Though I am now Youkai, part of my soul remains Human. That will mean that the children I bear will be purer than their siblings, and the longer they remain within me, the stronger that purity grows. Yes, they will be evil, but not as black-hearted as those two Hellion twins."

As for Kohaku himself, he still felt fear and apprehension, expecting that any time he would suffer again as he had before, and yet he also knew that the shard within him remained pure and that it had returned true life to his body. At one time this might have been a sign of hope, but the way Naraku's dark power was growing and the jewel was blackening, that hope had quickly disappeared. Naraku no longer needed to keep the shard within Kohaku tainted; it's small power was completely overwhelmed by the greater power of the corrupted jewel, and it did not need to be sullied to keep him trapped here.

Though Naraku and Moryomaru no longer tortured him, his pain continued; for every moment he lived he remembered more of his life before and of his Aneki, Sango. His longing to be with her again; to be free, tore at his heart and rent his soul; and he wept often, his hopeless and agonizing sorrow and loneliness overwhelming, especially in the darkness of the night. Only three things kept him going: Juromaru, Jaken, and Kanna. He did not want to be free without taking them with him, and their care and kindness served as a surrogate family for him, at least for now.

Jaken's lot had also eased somewhat. He was allowed to wear proper male clothing now, no longer the humiliating kimonos Kagura had left behind, but he was still used for pleasure by Naraku, Moryomaru and Hakudoshi. Still, Moryomaru was more often "serving" the fierce Bear Lord, Yukinshuro these days. Lord Kuroushirou used Jaken too, but not as violently as before, and seemed more interested in Tsubaki.

The main reason such strictures had eased, however; was not so much due to a softening of evil hearts, but the fact that his dark Masters were now more often occupied in diplomatic pursuits. Many Youkai and evil-minded Humans were coming and going, to discuss diplomatic treaties and alliances with them, and these were not ordinary men, and women. They were petty Noblemen and higher level Nobles too; even Daiyoukai nobles, and all shared the same goals: To take the rule away from the Daiyoukai Council and establish themselves in their places, or to take over the Four Major Realms, now ruled by the Badger Lords of the North; the Orange and White Tiger Lords of the South, the Bear Lady of the East, evidently once the lands that had belonged to Lord Kuma No Yukinshuro; and Lords Sesshomaru and Inuyasha in the West.

The main candidates for the latter positions were four powerful Daiyoukai families, who had been sworn enemies of the rulers of the four realms since the beginning of time. Tsubaki, who as a Kuromiko knew a great deal about Youkai and their history, said that these four families were sanctioned by the Kuraiyoukai, the Hell-Lords who worked against the Kami in all things. They were believed to be spawn of Issanami, the mother of all Kami after she was kidnapped, violated and corrupted by the power of darkness and gave birth to the three Thunder Gods. The Kami put the Daiyoukai in the world, but the Kuraiyoukai corrupted some of them, as Issanami was corrupted, and they and the "Heaven-sent" Daiyoukai fought each other constantly both in life and after death.

Today the first of these powerful families had made a diplomatic visit to the palace, which was why Kohaku was going to fetch Kanna. They were to make an appearance in the hall. Normally they would have remained behind the scenes, tending to the running of the palace, as a steward had not yet been hired, but with Hakudoshi and Juromaru still absent on their important mission, the Dark Lords wanted the two children to fill in some places in the meeting hall. Kohaku had been fitted with formal garments for just such an occasion, as had Kanna, but he didn't like having to show up and stand at his Dark Masters' sides. He was enslaved by them, and he did not want to appear complicit in any of their evil schemes or ambitions.

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He approached Kanna's door and knocked softly. Soon her answer whispered at him from beyond. "Who is it?"

"It's me Kanna." He told her. "We're expected at the main hall for the meeting with the Kurohyouyami Lords."

He heard a soft sigh of resignation and the shojii into her room were slid open by several of the female imps. In this case, Kohaku blessed their presence, because they kept watch always, keeping away unwanted intruders. Kanna was not among the gifts that were offered to guests. Her purity was guarded as ferociously as any Noble Daughter's virtue, which meant that Juromaru no longer had to keep constant watch at her chamber door to keep away Hakudoshi.

Proud and spoiled as the white-haired Prince was, he no longer dared his fathers' wrath in an attempt to take his virgin sibling, and that meant that they could all sleep easier. The disgusting Kumo-prince had other outlets for his base lusts now.

Kanna was also constantly attended by three human girls, who were being trained as Kuromikos under Tsubaki and thus immune to the strength-draining, appearance altering miasma that filled the palace; and a Kappa Chibai female, an unexpectedly dangerous guardian of a higher caste than the imps. The Youkai guards that patrolled this part of the castle were also all female.

Then the shojii slid open fully and Kohaku stopped, stunned. Suddenly the task of standing at Naraku's side did not seem so onerous; not if he could fill his eyes with the sight of Kanna! She was fully dressed in the formal raiment worn by young girls: A kimono and uchiyoku kimono, worn in the standard one-shoulder style, over a nagajuban. Again the colors were mostly white, but there were decorations in other colors too; pale and soft, like half-lit shadows, but quite distinct.

Her nagajuban was decorated in white, silver and pale gold, depicting unhusked rice-ears and silver clover blossoms. The kimono was also white and embroidered in shadowy silver peonies and silver trimmed gray doves. The uchiyoku kimono was white and silver brocade in a lovely plum-blossom pattern and then honoured the crests of her "fathers" in its decorative embroidery.

For Lord Kuroushirou's flaming orbs, there were the tall orange flowers known as "torch-flowers," because when in full bloom, they resembled a burning torch; and for the hideous lidless eyes of Naraku, there were large winging moths in gold, silver gray and brown, which bore eye-like patterns in sage-green and icy yellow, on their wings. A pale blue hiyoku formed a protective shield between her skin and the gorgeous nagajuban and her obi was a silver and pale violet brocade of kudzu, embroidered with silver and blue hydrangea.

But the beautiful raiment was not the only breathtaking thing about her outfit. Her white hair was done up in a pretty and flattering coiffure and practically covered in lovely kanzashi! Primary were the purple bell-flowers that the Miko Kikyo had been named after, but there were also pinkish-white sprays of boneset and clusters of pretty, rosy pinks. They were all carefully crafted out of paper and silk. There were also a few small gold chrysanthemums to set off the purple kikyo. In addition to the hana-kanzashi, there were also dangling silver bira-bira ornaments on either side of her face and a single wide comb, Kushi, in the back, which was carved of silver and decorated in agate, depicting two moths and a dove. Her deep indigo eyes were more expressive than the dark eyes she had had before and conveyed a certain amount of shyness, even a little fear.

Kohaku's eyes softened at that fear, and he gallantly held out one arm. "You look really pretty, Kanna." He told her gently.

Kanna's cheeks colored just very slightly and she averted her eyes. "Thank you, Kohaku." She whispered, but despite her apparent shyness, she took his arm and let him escort her towards the main hall.

Kanna found herself rather strangely affected by Kohaku's manner and his dress. She had only ever seen him in his short shitake, kiahan and yugake, or his black and gold Slayer's Armor. She had seen him nude as well, when she had tended to the terrible hurts her father and the twins had inflicted upon the brave youth. The sight of his developing young body had fascinated her, which she understood was a natural reaction between girls and boys, but seeing him in full festive raiment seemed to affect her in almost exactly the same way.

He still wore his armor, but it was designed to be worn close to the skin, or in Kohaku's case over the short jinbai -like shitake and apron fundoshi, kiahan and yugake he wore underneath. Now he wore black kurasan bakama trousers tucked into the amber-colored Sune-Ate and tabi boots of his armor. A blue-green hadagi trimmed in red, covered his armor's tunic, and the green obi and amber haidate were secured over it. A black and amber brocade kataginu vest was worn with the hadagi. It was cropped to reveal the obi and haidate underneath, and to keep the hilt of his katana, where it was bound to his sash, clear. The amber -colored Yugake and black half-gloves remained the same, as the vest was sleeveless, revealing the armored tunic's sleeves from shoulder to wrist. The vest was marked with a repeated pattern of her father's poisonous green and chartreuse lidless eye emblem, but it didn't look as horrific on Kohaku's robes as it did on her father's.

The last piece was an amber and ivory brocade Montsuki Haori jacket in a regular geometric pattern with green silk himo ties. It was embroidered with Lord Kuroushirou's flaming spheres in blue and red, black tree-trunks from which the drops of sap ran out into amber-colored stone, like the old Western Story of the princess whose tears turned into pearls; and a subtle rendering of blue-green and rose-brown shells of coral. The coral made for a poetic and very poignant accent. His sister's name; Sango, meant coral.

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They arrived in time to join with Naraku, Lord Kuroushirou, Lord Yukinshuro, Tsubaki and Moryomaru in greeting the diplomatic party outside the conference room. There were a number of other petty nobles and small land-holding lords who had already pledged their allegiance to the three powerful Youkai, as well as the heavily and impressively armored guards carrying naris and ninja-style straight swords and the scarlet strangling cords at their waists. They wore armor in black, orange, red and blue with the flaming spheres and lidless eyes of their masters in carved and painted accents on their chest-plates and helmets, and as brooches and fasteners on other parts of their impressive uniforms.

The Kurohyouyami were also well-guarded, but as the powerful Daiyoukai that they were, they did not keep more than one guard for each important personage. Each member of the royal family was, however; accompanied by large impressive Two-Tail Demi-youkai, but they were sinister and tainted, nothing like sweet Kilala had been. They were her reverse images: Black with white slashes on paws and tails and as blazes on their foreheads, but there were others who were black with red slashes, not just on their paws and tails, but on their thicker manes and around their middles. Their blazes were yellow; the color of sulfur. Both kinds were also much larger and more muscular than Kilala had ever been, even in her largest form, and the flames that wreathed the slash-like markings were a hellish red, with shadings of green in a similar hue to Naraku's monstrous eye crest.

The Panther Youkai's leader and current ruler was Hyou No Tsuchiyamiro, and he had both his mates with him. One was his sister; Hyou No Yabunshikyo Shou-San. The other was the younger son of another Kurohyoutaiyoukai line known as the Kurohyoukane. They were not as bloodthirsty as the Kurohyouyami, and Kohaku already sensed that there was some hidden abuse going on there, though there were no outward signs. His name was Kuro No Haganero, and Kohaku already felt the friendliest towards him.

The other important member of the diplomatic party was the Heir, who was also accompanied by his mates. Like his father, his Alpha mate was also a sibling, this time his half-brother. The heir was Hyou No Ketsuekiyamiro, his Alpha mate, the son of Kuro No Haganero, was Hyou No Kenrokuro. Ketsuekiyamiro also had an Alpha Female mate, a Black Leopard Daiyoukai; a Myumpyoutaiyoukai, by the name of Myum No Kawameikyoko, who brought along a very beautiful companion, evidently a concubine to the two brothers. Her name was Karasumi.

Their appearances were indeed attractive, but coincidentally enough, they were like exact opposite shadows to the Inushiro family. Their hair was black, so black it looked almost indigo at times, and their eyes were green, but not bright green. They were dark emerald or pine green, which appeared to radiate darkness from their mysterious depths. They had Daiyoukai markings. The ones on their cheeks were orange, and those on their foreheads, if they had markings, were red. They looked none too kindly at Lord Kuroushirou, but he just lifted his chin and straightened his back and glared right back at them, unintimidated. So far none of the Panther demons had dared say anything about his presence.

Their colors were black and red, but there were various other colors mixed in depending on each individual's preference. No Tsuchiyamiro wore his hair in a long high braid down his back and had two wide smooth orange lines on each cheek. He had no brow marking. His crest was was a white lightning bolt.

The Lady Yabunshikyo had most of her hair loose but for one large bun at the upper back part of her skull and two front pieces, which were bound in single loops on either side of her face. Her top knot was bound with several gold kogai, embossed and inset with carnelian poppies; and a round kanoko domo (fan-shaped) ornament embossed with kamon and set with carved red jade in more poppy shapes. She also had a white lacquered kushi (large comb) of wood with more poppy flowers painted on it in gold, orange red and black. The two loops on either side of her face were secured with orange silk poppies, but treated with scented oil in their drugging perfume. She had three slender jagged markings on her cheeks and a red mark on her brow in the shape of triple-pointed plume of flame. Her crest was, obviously, the orange poppy.

No Haganero had his hair pulled back into a single tail, which was then twisted into a knot in the back, but near the top of his scalp. It was secured with what appeared to be an arc of kogai kunzushe, all in dark lacquered brown wood with silver Kamon inscribed upon them. His crest appeared to be a half-arc of a sun in bright bronze brown, behind billowing clouds. It could have been either rising or setting. His eyes were not green, they were a soft silver- blue. His marks were silver, one on each cheek, shaped somewhat like a katana's slender blade.

Lord Ketsuekiyamiro had his hair cut short and full around his face and then it flowed longer in back, which gave him a slightly wild and barbaric look. His crests were the crystals of snowflakes, frozen flowers to oppose the Lord Sesshomaru's living blossoms. His personal color was blue. His marks were a slender jagged and a wide smooth orange stripe on each cheek and a two pronged plume of red flame on his brow. He had a mokomoko, as did the other members of the family, but rather than the soft fur of most Daiyoukai Kohaku knew of, these bore anywhere from three to five long tail-like extensions covered with short velvety fur. They were flexible and prehensile and evidently could change their lengths at their symbiote's whim. Then they ended in bony protrusions that looked like an unholy combination of a scorpion's stinger and a serrated knife-blade. They even made Moryomaru shudder when he looked at them.

Haganero and Kenrokuro did have soft-furred mokomokos, like what Sesshomaru bore. They looked like longer sweeping versions of Kilala's tails. Haganero had one, which seemed to come out of his right side and curve across his back, and over the left shoulder. Kenrokuro had two. Both appeared to start just beneath the armpit on the left side of his back and then curve upward before flowing out for about six feet behind him.

The Lady Kawameikyoko had three attachments that looked like long slender tails, growing out of the middle of her lower back. They were silver with black and white spots and soft black tips, which widened to conceal what appeared to be horrific tooth-lined pods of cartilage and bone. It was only the males who shuddered at those appendages! The Lady Karasumi had a beautiful fall of down-soft raven-black feathers flowing out of her left shoulder, which added a very exotic touch to her already stunning appearance. It was long enough to drape her neck and shoulders in an exotic shawl of iridescent black, but that would evidently cover too much of her body for her masters' taste, so it hung long and loose down her back before sweeping the floor behind her for about five feet .

Kenrokuro had a similar hairstyle to his father's, but he had a small neat topknot on the top rear of his scalp and the twisted tail was at the nape of his neck instead. He had two blade-like silver marks on each cheek, but one was shorter than the other and he had the half-sun on his brow in orange. His eyes were green, but a soft olive green, instead of the dark green of the Kurohyouyami. His crest appeared to be the short kote (the third part of a full Daishou) with a Kamon on its hilt. The blade and Kamon were silver; the hilt was silver-shaded black.

The Lady Kawameikyoko had bright purple eyes, the color of amethyst. She wore her hair, which actually had some dark lacquer-brown spots in it, loose except for two loops; one over each ear. The loops were secured with crystal and gold-tipped pins and her crest was the purple Belladonna flower, sometimes also known as Deadly Nightshade. She had the silk leaves and flowers in a wreath in her hair, which supported a slender wrapped chain of gold with a purple opal pendant hanging as an elegant ornament in the middle of her brow. Her markings were black and golden yellow spots forming a wide widow's peak in the center of her forehead and then arcing down over her temples and ending just at the top of her cheekbones, right at the corners of her eyes.

Lady Karasumi's markings were a three-pronged fan of black stripes along each cheek with a small metallic gold dot at the end of each prong. Her hair was deep indigo purple streaked with indigo blue and her eyes were black, the only indication of the pupils being a thin ring of golden yellow around each one. Her crest appeared to be the black feather. She wore only a thin kosode kimono without even a hiyoku underneath. It was woven in gray, blue and purple brocade, but her crest was depicted in black. She had red-enameled metal yugake, which seemed to double as both bracelets and shackles, and combination zori/kiahan sandals in red-dyed leather. Her beautiful hair was piled up on her head and secured with slender, but strong red and black enameled chains, a few tempting tendrils left to curl softly against the graceful creamy sweep of her swan's neck. Her wrists were currently shackled, with the Lady Kawameikyoko holding the chains.

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The three lords welcomed their guests into the conference room and Kohaku and Kanna followed entering last of all. They knelt quietly on cushions off to one side of their lords, and Kohaku did his best to listen to all that they spoke of. Naraku was trying to enlist the Kurohyouyami' s alliance in going up against the Lord's Council and the four Daiyoukai Realms and their rulers. The Kurohyoutaiyoukai family were very skeptical about Naraku having the power to fulfill all his promises.

"Can you demonstrate your power to defeat the Light Lords?" Lord Tsuchiyamiro demanded with an irritated snarl.

Naraku met his skepticism with his usual arrogant smirk. "What would you say, if I could bring the White Lord himself into your clutches; him and his cursed Hanyo brother?"

That interested them, particularly Ketsuekiyamiro. "You truly believe that you can capture the "Killing Perfection" himself?" He demanded, eyebrows raised.

Naraku continued to smirk. "I can have him naked, bound and helpless at your feet, Lord Ketsuekiyamiro."

"How do you dare make such a boast?" The Lady Yabunshikyo demanded, not even bothering to hide her skepticism.

"By offering the correct lure." Naraku replied smoothly. "He turned to two of his guards. "Bring out our sacrifice."

The guards nodded and disappeared through a half hidden shojii panel behind an ostentatious painted silk panel, that depicted a dark and unpleasant scene on it, in flawless Chinese brush-work. When they re-emerged not 10 minutes later, Kohaku felt his heart sink. They dragged Jaken between them. He was dressed in formal fabrics, but the style was scanty and humiliating. Around his waist was a more substantial version of a man's fundoshi, with a short split skirt over it and a loose yukate worn mostly open over his well-muscled chest without even a juban underneath. His feet were bare and worn with kiahan and his yugake were enameled metal shackles chaining his arms together in back.

The fine fabrics were in colors of blue, black and orange trimmed in brown and red and featuring both Naraku and Lord Kuroshirou's crests on them. He also bore Lord Yukinshuro's new chosen crest on his suggestive garments. It was the burred Ragweed plant, because the highly allergenic weed was tenacious and hard to destroy. Jaken's long hair was drawn up into a bound, twisted knot high on the back of his head exposing the strong sweep of his well-formed throat.

Lord Ketsuekiyamiro's eyes shone covetously as he looked at the exposed and handsome prisoner with obvious lust. "You have the Kappa Ou'Dai, his most devoted servant!"

The Lady Kawameikyoko moved up too, drawing Karasumi with her. She ran her free hand over Jaken's bare chest. "We knew he was due to evolve, we had no idea that he would be so beautiful." She purred sadistically, then slipped her hand beneath the skirt and into a side seam of the fundoshi and viciously squeezed his bare flesh, causing him to gasp with pain.

"Take him." Lord Kuroushirou spoke, taking the chain on Jaken's shackles from the guards' hands and handing it to her. "You may use him as you like, but keep him healthy. Once we have gathered all the other Daiyoukai Lords of the Kuroi, we will offer him up on the alter of Dark Alliance, and his long night and day of torment, will draw the White Lord to us unerringly. "

Jaken averted his eyes and turned his head away, but not before Kohaku saw the tears slip quietly down his marked cheeks. Anger filled him, and protectiveness surged up in his heart, despite the fact that Jaken was older than him and a Youkai. Had Jaken not been weakened and trapped by the jewel shard and the poison miasma that it leached into his body everyday, Jaken could probably have broken Kohaku in half, but still the boy felt sympathy well up in his soul, for the handsome Kappa, who had become a true brother in their mutual suffering.

But right now anger out powered even the sympathy. This was what Naraku had planned, as usual; using love against his victims, forcing Jaken to be the instrument of his adored Lord's downfall! Fear filled him. Would it work? Could the great and powerful Lord Sesshomaru really be captured and defeated? If he was, what would become of the world? What hope would there be left for any of them, if Naraku's most powerful foe could truly be brought low?

Naraku was speaking again. "I will also send a messenger." He turned towards the young Tajiya. "Come here Kohaku."

Kohaku felt his throat close with terror, but he did not dare disobey. He heard Kanna softly gasp beside him and wondered at her reaction. He wanted to turn around and look at her, but again he did not dare. The shard inside him might be purified, but it could still be used to hurt and paralyze him, and the agony was near unbearable. He would do anything to avoid that excruciating pain, unless it was to hurt those he cared about. Naraku would never be able to force him to do that again! He walked forward and went automatically to one knee before Naraku his head bowed. He knew what he needed to do to survive. "Yes, Master?" He spoke softly.

Naraku continued to talk to his guests, totally ignoring Kohaku's low-voiced query. "This young Tajiya has served his purpose. Once I controlled his body and mind, but such powers have limited duration on the young and innocent. Despite the fact that I control the greater part of the Shikon No Tama, it was still created by a powerful Priestess, and part of her spirit survives the blackening jewel that is her eternal prison. The power remains strong when it comes to protecting the innocence of children. The shard that the boy bears in his back will serve better, rejoined with the greater part of the jewel, so I will take it and release him. I have another in mind to take his place, one that will serve our cause even more effectively."

Kohaku's eyes flew to Naraku's face wondering if he had heard the dark Kumo correctly. The face as he looked up, appeared cold and cruel and full of glee, and fear gripped Kohaku so tightly that he was paralyzed with it. What did it mean to release him? Surely Naraku would not dare release him alive, with all that he knew? And yet...

Both despair and hope crashed through the boy's torn heart. What did Kohaku really know that would help Naraku's enemies in any way? Every time anyone left the dark realm that now housed Naraku's palace and lands, they immediately forgot where it was. Only by following his familiars: the Saimyoushi, or one of the disgusting Nether-demons that were part of his monstrous body, and lately one of the imps, could they return. Moryomaru and Hakudoshi knew how to return and Kanna and Juromaru too, but they spoke of it to no one; the twins because they did not choose to and Kanna and Juromaru because they were unable to; a powerful gaes due to the tainted jewel shards buried in their returned hearts, prevented them from speaking about it. But even if they did, the dark realm was too well protected now. Only those Naraku wanted to enter would be able to.

And what of the other things? That he was gathering an army; that he now had slaves and vassals and servants and an armed force about his palace and his stolen lands? That might be new, but how useful would it be? That he was making alliances with other Daiyoukai; the enemies of the rulers of the Four Realms and those who sought to bring the Daiyoukai Council down? Yes, that would be useful. Perhaps they could send war parties out and stop the others from arriving at Naraku's lands, keep them in the Council prisons and interrogate them on what they knew of Naraku's plans. That information alone was enough to forfeit Kohaku's life. The despair took over, crashing into his heart and mind, forcing tears from his eyes as well.

"I will wait until all the Lords are assembled of course." Naraku spoke, oblivious to the clashing emotions raging within his young captive's heart. "And we must effectively prepare him to be convincing. Once all the Lords are assembled, we will open the ceremonies by practicing the sacrificial rite we plan for Jaken, on him. That combined with the Ou' Dai's suffering will generate enough power to effectively protect all of you and the conference itself from any attacks, until the Jewel is completed. "

Despair was replaced once more with terror. Kohaku heard Kanna's whisper; "No!" but he could not move, he could only kneel helpless at his vicious captor's feet and stare up into the cruel, perverted smirk and burning red eyes.

"No!" Another voice cried out, and he realized that it was Jaken. "Please, Masters, please! Do not put the boy through such torture and agony. I will submit myself fully to your wishes! Take me in his place! I would rather endure ten days of agony than suffer an innocent boy's torment even once!"

"Such a passionate plea from a slave?" The Lady Yabunshikyo now purred. "The boy must be a rare prize indeed." She put her sharply clawed hand beneath Kohaku's chin and turned his tear-wet face towards her. "Oh my." Her purr was even more sadistic. "How very delightful; a dozen Human years in age, suspended between innocent boyhood and young manhood. What a succulent prize he is indeed."

"Then take him, Milady." Naraku replied. "Use him as you wish, and when he is bound on the Alter of the Kuroi. I will allow you the first attack on his most succulent parts. As long as he is alive to deliver the message, there are few limits on what we can do to him."

"No, Dread Masters, no!" Jaken was weeping now. "Please do not allow this to happen. Spare the boy! For all the Kami's sake; please spare him!" But though Jaken pleaded to all of his Dark Lords, even in the midst of Kohaku's terror, he noticed that the handsome Kappa seemed mostly to be looking at Lord Kuroushirou.

The powerful Daiyoukai exchanged a long glance with his nephew's most faithful servant, one totally empty of any recognizable emotion. When he spoke again, the voice was cold. "You speak the names of the Holy Ones in vain, Ou'Dai." The Dog Lord replied. "There are no Kami here, only the Kuroi."

Jaken slumped in his chains weeping hopelessly, and Kohaku felt the despair crush him anew, and mix with his rising terror. He was weeping too as he was hauled up to his feet, by his wrists being twisted behind his back. His amber yugake were stripped off, followed by his jacket, vest, haidate and sword; then the hadagi and his armored tunic, and even his shitake. His wrists were tightly bound behind his back with his own green sash, the top part of his full fundoshi unfastened and left to fall over the waistband of his formal hakamas. He was forced to his knees at the Panther Lady's feet, his arms pulled painfully upward with her grip on the binding sash. "A most satisfactory gift." She spoke. "So, shall we continue our negotiations?"

Kuma No Yukinshuro grinned evilly. "As the Lady commands, My Lords." He spoke, and their evil laughter rang through the chamber hammering at one young Tajiya's shattered soul, washed in silent tears, out of soft indigo eyes.

Glossary:

Words:

Kosode Kimono: This is a short Kimono, which was the main type of clothing the Japanese used to wear before Chinese influence brought the longer flowing and layered fashions that eventually became the signature kimono. They were usually worn with simple draw-string or tied trousers, or long straight skirts that fell to just above the ankles. Now these types of kimonos are mostly featured in the Jin-Bai that young boys wear; a short jacket and mid-length trousers, sort of like the modern gees worn for martial arts.

During the Sengeku Jidai, the time-period Inuyasha takes place in, Kosode kimonos were still worn by children, mainly young girls below 10 and as clothing donned by working class or active women, or those who were more "promiscuous," but not at the level of the expensive Courtesans, like Geishas.

Kurohyou: Panther

Myumpyou: Leopard

Saimyoushi: The Demon Wasps Naraku employs both to keep Miroku from using his "Wind Tunnel" and as spies.

Shoubai, Chibai and Kubai: These are all creative license words drawn from the term: "Shouchikubai," which means high, middle and lower rank. I split the word up, probably incorrectly; and used it for denoting Youkai of different rank and power. Shouyoukai are the highest in rank and power, right below the Daiyoukai, Chiyoukai are of middle rank and power, and Kuyoukai are the lowest rank and the least powerful. I use "Bai," simply to mean Rank.

Kuromiko: A dark Miko, one who uses her gifts for selfish profit and evil means and ends.

Kurohyoutaiyoukai: Panther Daiyoukai

Myumpyoutaiyoukai: Leopard Daiyoukai

Names:

Kurohyouyami: The main enemies of the Inushiro (White Dog) family, which is Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's heritage. Their name means "Dark Panther."

Kurohyoukane: "Kane" is a word for metal, so their name means, literally "Metal Panthers," even though they are flesh and blood.

Hyou No Tsuchiyamiro: The Lord of the Kurohyouyami. His name translates roughly into " Panther Son of the Dark Moon"

Hyou No Yabunshikyo Shou-San: Lord Tsuchiyamiro's Alpha Mate, and his sister. Her name translates roughly into "Night of Darkness."

Kuro No Haganero: The Beta Mate of Tsuchiyamiro and a son of the Kurohyoukane. His name translates roughly into "The Dark Son of the Blade."

Hyou No Ketsuekiyamiro: The heir of the Kurohyouyami Family. His name translates roughly into "Panther Son of the Dark Blood."

Hyou No Kenrokuro: Half-brother and mate to Ketsuekiyamiro. His name translates roughly into "Panther Son of the Dark Knife or Sword." Ken may be another word for sword, but I can't remember.

Myum No Kawameikyoko: A Leopard Daiyoukai and the Alpha Female mate of Ketsuekiyamiro. Her name translates roughly into "Leopard Daughter of the Dark River."

Issanami: Her name means, literally "First Woman," and she was the mother of all the Shinto Gods. Her husband, Issanagi (First Man) was the father.

Karasumi: The slave-girl that the Kurohyouyami brought with them. She is a raven youkai and her name is derived from "karasu," a word for crow.

Well, My Dear Readers, I have given you another chapter. I hope that this helps to make up for the long delay, at least somewhat. We will see more of Kohaku in upcoming chapters. He had remained fairly quiet for most of the story, but now he's really starting to speak out, and I hope that I can compensate him for the horror his character is about to go through. Thank you all once more for your continued interest and support. You guys are awesome!

Until next time, Faithful Readers.

DoS