All characters, named weapons, and attacks borrowed from Inuyasha are not my own, but belong to Takahashi-dono.

"The Oppressor's Successor"

"Hey, there, little girl. What brings you all the way out here?"

Kaede dropped her bundle of sticks and whirled, startled at the sudden, unfamiliar voice. She and Tsubaki had gleaned all the nearby firewood, but it wouldn't be enough to last the night; not wanting to chop and wood, as the noise might attract unwanted attention, they had needed to split up and go further in.

She stared wide-eyed at the face of a soldier of middle years; his face had enough scars to clearly mark him a veteran of at least a few campaigns, but too few to be a highly skilled one.

"What's the matter, little girl? Demon got your tongue?"

She shook her head. "No. You just surprised me, that's all." Recovering her composure, she bent to re-collect her lost load. Dammit… I knew I should have brought my bow and arrows along, even though it would mean more trips.

"Collecting firewood, eh?" The soldier leaned on the haft of his spear, observing her.

Kaede didn't bother to answer. Why is he asking questions to which he already knows the answer?

"You live near here?"

Crap. What do I say to that? If he thinks I do, he might ask for lodgings and provisions, as soldiers sometimes did in our village. Kikyou always kept them in line, so the worse sort never came twice, and the better ones behaved well enough. She snuck a glance at the soldier. From the lascivious look on his face as he watched her, it was clear he was not of the gentlemanly strain. Not good. If I say I'm traveling, he might try something even worse – especially if he thinks I'm alone. It's probably best to just say nothing.

She picked up the last log, turned and bowed respectfully. Kikyou always said, 'If all else fails, be polite.' "Farewell. May your hands be strong and your life be long."

Abruptly, the soldier seized her and slammed her crudely into the tree behind her. Branches tumbled from her grasp to the ground as he gripped her wrists and pinned them above her head. "I like that part about my hands, but it's not my long life that concerns me right now, little girl."

Kaede's eyes widened in horror as he took both wrists in one hand. He's really going to try to…

As his other hand moved to cover her mouth, she screamed: "NOOOO! Tsubaki! Miatsu! INUYASHA, HELP M-mph!"

XXXXX

As the women collected firewood, Miatsu was conducting negotiations with the daimyo leading the army to which that soldier belonged. He's just a little too eager to buy my demon-confining sutras… what's his deal? And his name is just creepy…

Lord Kagewaki Hitorogoshi was a thin, pale man. Thin, pale, and ridiculously cut. Miatsu could see bulging, rippling muscles beneath the loose cloth of his formal robe. That is not the body of a pampered lord… but I've never heard of a famous warrior with his name. If he didn't develop those muscles through combat, how…?

"Monk, I'll offer you 12 mon for each sutra." Kagewaki had finished his inspection of his sutras and apparently had concluded they were legit – which they were. Maybe not quite as powerful as Miatsu claimed, but they'd do the trick.

Miatsu blinked and shook his head slightly. It's not often I find myself staring at a man's body. "My lord, that would not even cover the cost of the magic-infused ink. Have mercy! I can accept no less than 25 mon apiece."

After haggling a few minutes more, they settled at 18 mon per sutra. Miatsu handed over a short stack of sutras, receiving a few strings of copper coins in exchange.

The transaction concluded, he arose from seiza and bowed slightly. "You have my thanks, Lord Kagewaki. These funds will help supply us on our pilgrimage."

"Quite to the contrary. You have done me a great and timely service, monk; go your way." The daimyo stood from his camp chair, clapping his hands for his attendants to open the curtains.

As Miatsu left the command tent, he couldn't help overhearing muttered conversations among the troops setting up camp. He'd already learned on his way in that this Lord Kagewaki's father, the late Kagewaki Koushokkan, had gone mad and was slain by his own son; now he learned why.

"Is the lord going mad, like his father?"

"Swore the Red Demon would come back for him, the old lord did."

"Perhaps it was for the best that Hitorogoshi killed him and took over the clan? Koushokkan kept the castle near-sleepless for years from his screaming nightmares."

"Yes, but now his son is obsessed with hunting down demons. I thought we were going to war, not chasing specters in the woods and mountains."

"Taking vengeance for his father?"

"No, it seems more for sport. Remember how he had that last one tied up and…"

Miatsu could barely keep his bile down as the soldier described the slow and methodical torture and death of an innocent kitsune. I wish I hadn't sold him those sutras now… but I doubt he'll give them back willingly.

He hastened out of the soldier's riverside camp and up the small rise to their own encampment. I'll have to get them back, somehow…

XXXXX

Tsubaki had returned with a load of firewood and was now secreted at the edge of the woods, faced with a difficult choice.

"I haven't yet applied Kaede's medicine today," she muttered to herself, "but if I go out there, they might see me." She felt the skin around her right eye – the scars from her former demonic possession were more faded with each passing, but always visible since she stopped applying makeup.

I can't tell Inuyasha and the others the truth about Kikyou's death until this is gone.

She was about to sneak out of the woods towards her bag when she heard the rustle of parting grass as someone approached. She ducked back behind a tree, her heart pounding.

Who's there? Extending her senses in that direction, she discovered something that had gone thus far unnoticed.

XXXXX

Kilala poked her tiny head out from under a bundle as Miatsu's jangling staff announced his return. "Mrow?"

"I think they'll leave us alone, but you'd better stay out of sight. It seems they're hunting for demons."

"-tsu… Miatsu!"

The monk turned to find the source of the whisper; Tsubaki beckoned to him from the shadows beyond the treeline. Acting as if he needed to relieve himself, he nonchalantly strolled to a spot a few shaku from her and lifted the hem of his robe.

"What the hell are you doing, monk?" asked Tsubaki, mortified.

"Relax; it's just for show… I get the feeling some of the soldiers may be watching me. Now, what is it?"

"That army… I can't tell exactly where, but I sense Jewel shards – at least one, but maybe more!"

Miatsu gaped in astonishment. "I walked straight through the camp! I didn't sense any-"

Just then, they heard Kaede scream.

XXXXX

They quickly decided that Miatsu should go to Kaede, as he was the faster runner, while Tsubaki would attract the least suspicion if seen observing the camp (as Miatsu had just left it). As soon as he left, Tsubaki dashed to their gear and peered down at the encampment from behind a fallen log they had intended to use as a bench, having entirely forgotten to apply the medicine for her scar.

After several minutes, her frustration was mounting. Curses! I can see the glow but can't tell exactly where it's coming from. I'll need to get closer if I'm going to find it.

She stood, her mind made up. She strolled as purposefully as she could down the hill towards the camp while rehearsing her cover story in her mind.

I'm a miko from a nearby shrine, come to caution them to not offend the local deity. There's nothing fishy or dangerous about an unarmed priestess walking into a camp of armed soldiers away from home, right? Maybe I should wait for the others… no. It might take several days for Inuyasha to return, and it would look more suspicious for Miatsu to return to their camp. And if we travel along behind them but are spotted…

She blushed angrily, but shook it off. I definitely would not want to be perceived by anyone as a "camp follower".

Tsubaki was shocked at how well her cover story held up. The captain of the guard was the superstitious sort, so when she appeared at the opening between the barricades that marked the perimeter of the camp and told him there was a message from the local deity for their commander, he was more than happy to oblige. As her led her through the camp to the command tent, most of the soldiers seemed awestruck – whether by her beauty, her boldness, or simply her unexpected presence. Or maybe it was the armed escort.

Thus far, there had been no clearer sign of the shard's location, which was extremely odd. Tsubaki's brow furrowed. It's almost as if its aura is being masked. But what could do that? It was not until they approached a second barricade around the command tent that she sensed it more clearly. So… their commander must have it. Let's hope he only thinks it to be a pretty trinket. But just in case…

"Captain, may I…" she whispered in his ear.

He blushed. "Absolutely, priestess."

XXXXX

Kaede squirmed, but was unable to extricate herself from the soldier's grip. She aimed a solid kick at his groin, but the young priestess-in-training only injured herself as her sandal-clad foot recoiled from his lacquered armor plating.

The soldier laughed harshly. "Now, now… this can hurt, or it can feel real good. Make up your mind quickly, little girl."

Her mouth was still clamped shut, but her blazing eyes and thrashing legs gave the answer loud and clear. But despite her bravado, terror threatened to overwhelm her, and she began to panic. I am a virgin priestess. I will not let this insignificant man violate me! What would Kikyou do?

A surge of furious energy welled up within her, and her right eye began to gleam – literally. As the soldier blinked in sudden confusion, Kaede willed the energy to concentrate in her throat.

"RELEASE ME!" The words burst from her mouth accompanied by an explosion of violet light, hurling the would-be rapist across forest floor and slamming him into an opposing tree.

The soldier crumpled to the ground, gasping. "You… you are a demon!" He fumbled with a satchel at his side and withdrew a conch shell horn. But before he could raise it to his lips, a golden-tipped shakujo struck his helmet with a loud clang, and he fell over, finally unconscious.

"Miatsu!"

The monk rushed towards her and retrieved his thrown staff. "Kaede, are you all right? Did he…"

"He tried. He… oh, Miatsu!" In tears, she flung herself into his arms, bowling him clean over.

"Whoa! Er… hey, hey. It's OK, you're safe now…" Miatsu did his best to comfort her, but his words had little impact. Why would I expect differently? She's just a girl, and here she was almost raped. An unpleasant churning in his stomach reminded him of the uninvited physical contact he had performed earlier that day, and he promptly released the girl. It was just her hip, but still…

"Miatsu…" Why are you pushing me away? Do you think I'm… unclean now? "Miatsu, I swear, he wasn't able to do anything! He held me down, but I focused my spiritual power and knocked him away and…" She collapsed to her knees, sobbing into her palms. I just want you to hold me!

Tentatively, strong arms reached around her shoulders, gently pulling her forward into a warm embrace. "I know. I sensed it… that was quite some power. Shh… you're OK now." He inwardly sighed. I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing…

Gradually, her tears slowed, and her fingers unclenched from his cloak. "Oh, Miatsu… if you hadn't come, I don't know what I would've done."

He sat back. "I dunno… seems you were doing pretty well on your own." The soldier chose that moment to groan, so Miatsu thwacked his helmet again, silencing him.

Kaede shook her head. "That was just a reflex, or a fluke. If he'd blown the horn and brought others…" She gasped. "He thought I was a demon, of all things! Can you believe it?"

The monk stood and offered her his hand. "Apparently, demons are what they're after, though why, I can't imagine. Unless…"

She took his hand, and he pulled her up. "Unless what?"

He caressed her right cheek. "Unless they're after this."

She flushed. "My face?"

"Jewel shards. Tsubaki said she sensed some in the camp…" his voice trailed off and his face paled. "Tsubaki… she was going to go look for the shards! There was definitely something odd about their leader, and if any of the other soldiers are anything like this one…"

Kaede was already on the run; Miatsu followed at top speed.

XXXXX

When he saw the priestess return from the nearby officer's privy, her escort ordered her admittance to the command tent. She stepped inside, and the curtain closed behind her.

The shards were visible at once – one in each of his arms, and one in his chest. Three? Tsubaki swore. Not good. The priestess bowed, just a tad too stiffly. "My Lord Kagewaki, I am a humble miko. I bring an urgent message from the deity I serve -"

"Priestess, let us dispense with pleasantries." The thin but muscular nobleman's voice was not deep, but full of cold fire. "Tell me where I may find your deity's shrine. I wish to make an offering and… pay obeisance."

As he leaned forward in his chair, it was clear to Tsubaki that he wanted nothing of the sort. Miatsu had told her briefly of what he heard the soldiers say. He intends to capture and torture the deity for information about more shards! And when he figures out that no such deity exists…

"It is about half a day's journey to the west," she replied.

"Then it must not be all that urgent a message, priestess, for if there was such a deity, there is no longer. I captured the last one in the region three days ago. He was… not particularly inclined to be helpful." He smiled an empty smile that belied his insatiable lust for violence. "It would have been so much less painful for him to tell me what he knew of these shards before I severed his hind limbs."

Tsubaki paled. It was one thing to kill ordinary demons, but to kill those who had become guardian spirits was a grave sacrilege… which meant this daimyo had no fear of divine retribution.

Kagewaki stood and approached. Her feet seemed rooted to that spot.

He spoke softly but menacingly as he paced around her. "Which means that either you came here with the intent to avenge him, or to steal these shards, or perhaps something else I'd enjoy even less. But I have something far more entertaining in mind." His hand lashed out suddenly and seized her jaw.

XXXXX

Kaede and Miatsu arrived at the camp to find it in disarray, having only stopped at their camp to retrieve Kaede's weapons. Soldiers rushed every which way.

"Over here!'

"No, here!"

"Bring those torches!"

They immediately identified the cause of the commotion: rampaging skikigami! Giant paper onis, dragons, boars – every imaginable shape and size; tiny little shikigami rats skittered amongst the soldiers, gnawing on their ankles.

"Tsubaki, what have you done?" moaned Miatsu.

"RROW!" Kilala flew by, swatting at soldiers with her flaming paws.

"Kilala!" Kaede waved, signaling the great cat, who circled back and landed. "Where's Tsubaki?"

Kilala tossed her head and grunted, indicating they should mount her. With a quick bound, they were sky-borne.

"The jewel shard is that way!" Kaede pointed towards the left edge of the camp. Miatsu noticed where the command tent used to be, and saw a trail of destruction leading in that same direction.

As they approached, they could see Tsubaki.

XXXXX

Tsubaki slashed wildly with her spear as the ring of over a dozen soldiers constricted around her. Well, it seemed like a good idea at a time… It was very difficult to directly control large numbers of shikigami all at once, so she had released them to act as distractions – to keep as many soldiers busy as possible – rather than assist her directly in combat.

At least I had the foresight to send a shikigami of myself into that tent while I was pretending to relieve myself. She couldn't have helped but to smile at the daimyo's confusion when he seized "her" face only to have it crumple in his hand. Her smile had quickly disappeared as he tore the shikigami from head to groin, destroying it.

Unable to see anything with the psychic link destroyed, and debating her next action, she had heard him exit the tent and bark out orders to search the camp for intruders. Through the resulting din, she had not heard Kagewaki approaching the latrine. Only the sense of an approaching jewel shard saved her from decapitation as his sword sliced through the canvas walls.

For the twenty minutes since then, she had been fending off swords and spears and dodging arrows while releasing shikigami and running for her life. Now she was out of shikigami paper, and low on steam.

I seriously have to work on my endurance... She batted away another sword slash, but a second soldier used the opening to slice at her arm; droplets of blood spattered the ground from this first serious wound. Then again, I usually don't have to fight trained humans, or put so much energy into so many shikigami… and to top it off, I have to avoid killing blows!

Tsubaki broke free of the killing ring and dashed for the perimeter barricades while tying a strip of cloth around the injury. If I can just make it to the woods, I can lose them in the dark.

A squad of archers formed up between her and the barricades. She ducked behind a rice barrel as they fired a volley, and some of her pursuers fell to the friendly fire. Pinned down behind the barrel with no other cover in sight, she considered her options; there weren't many.

Then, a twang from overhead; a violet flash; a series of clangs and thuds.

Cautiously, she peered around the barrel to see Miatsu, Kilala, and Kaede battling their way towards her. "Come on, let's go!" Kaede called, beckoning frantically.

Tsubaki stood and ran for them. "Where's Inuyasha?"

"We don't know!" replied Miatsu. "He – look out!"

Just as Tsubaki reached the safety of her comrades, she felt a chain entangle her legs, and she toppled to the ground. Several more soldiers approached, many wielding kusarigama, and she and her companions were disarmed and subdued.

Kilala roared in frustration as the soldiers attempted to ensnare her; but the chains of their kusarigama were not long enough to wrap around her body, and any fool who snared a paw was quickly sent flying. They switched tactics, and began bludgeoning the feline with the weights at the ends of their chains instead.

"Kilala, go! Get Inuyasha!" ordered Miatsu.

Growling in frustration at her inability to save them, the cat turned to comply. She flew off through a hail of arrows.

As she disappeared into the darkening sky, their captor arrived and stood over them, gloating. "Well, Priestess, you've led us on a merry chase. How kind of you to kill so few of my men during your escape attempt! But no matter; I have you now."

Kagewaki sauntered over to Miatsu and kicked dirt in his face. "Well met, monk! I had meant to capture you while you slept, but your foolish rescue attempt – you do know each other, do you not? – saved me the trouble. You will make me more of those fine sutras until the day you die… or when I no longer require your services." He snapped his fingers, and soldiers lifted the three prisoners and bound them.

"Now this one… a priestess, and yet not. In training, maybe? Yes… yes, she will be… fun." He cackled with glee at the sudden despair on Kaede's face. "Captain!"

An officer with hints of grey at his temples knelt at his feet. "Yes, my lord?"

"Take the monk to the interrogation tent. Leave him there, under guard. Let him see what the price is for… resistance."

The captain stood and signaled his men. "And the women?"

"My tent, of course."

"But, my lord, they are priestesses. They are…"

"Untainted, yes, and therefore all the better for my use." He smiled menacingly. "Though they won't be, for long."

Author's Notes:

In case you didn't already know, seiza is the traditional Japanese way of sitting (kneeling with the buttocks resting on the backs of the calves). Kusarigama are chain-sickles, like the one Kohaku uses.

If the name "Kagewaki" sounds familiar, it should. This lord, Kagewaki Hitorogoshi, is the elder lord of the castle where Sango's family was killed in the original timeline; though he is never named in canon, he was the creepy old lord (sans Jewel shards) being manipulated by the spider thread. His son, Kagewaki Hitomi, was the one advised (and presumably controlled, possessed and/or absorbed) by Naraku. "Hitorogoshi" means "murderer" (as he murdered his father).

Hitorogoshi's father, Koushokkan (meaning "lecher") appeared in Book I of this story – though you'll only know exactly what happened if you took the time to read the interjected side-story "Mother" when you got to Chapter 15. So, if you missed it the first time, go back and read that story to find out why Koushokkan was so afraid (and rightly so) of the "Red Demon".

… or you can wait until I release the next chapter.