My Beloved Enemy by Surreal

Prologue - The Prophecy

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"So, it is done." A deep baritone voice echoed throughout the empty halls of an abandoned castle. The voice's owner, the great and terrible Inu no Taisho, glanced at the small, six year-old replica of him playing contentedly in a corner of the room. "Sesshomaru, my son. Come to me."

The small boy looked up and smiled adoringly at his father. He left his toy, a bulged-eyed, green kappa quivering in the corner, to join his father. "Yes, Father?" The loving trust in his voice burned his father's consciousness, the innocence and admiration shining in those golden orbs broke his heart, and the smile almost made it unbearable.

"Sesshomaru, this," he gestured toward the figure in front of him, "is Unori. Unori will be your...trainer for the next few years."

Sesshomaru looked up and clutched his sire's hakama tighter. Unori lifted a perfectly sculpted red eyebrow. His irises were a black color and his long flowing red hair stopped below the elbow. He smirked. "Sesshomaru, eh? 'The killing perfection'? Well, if you insist, Taisho-sama."

"Father?" Both demons looked at the frightened child. "I do not need any more trainers. Mother said so."

"Unori is a different kind of trainer, my son. He is an-"

"Assassin," cut in the smirking demon. "I kill people for a living, puppy. People and demons. And you, Mr. 'killing perfection' shall master the art with me." He reached out a clawed hand. "Come along, puppy."

"Father?" The child's heartbeat increased, his eyes imploring his father.

"You no longer have a Father, puppy. You have been sold to me. I shall be your master and trainer." Unori smirked, causing Inu no Taisho to glare.

"Father, is this true?" Sesshomaru's voice shook.

His sire stared coldly at him. "Go, pup. I no longer have need of you." He roughly shoved the child aside and into Unori, where the other demon wasted no time in tying Sesshomaru's wrists together. His heart broke at seeing the pain and confusion in his heir's eyes. Forgive me, pup. But it is much better this way. The prophecy must be completed. One day, you will thank me for this.

Unori whistled and Sesshomaru was rushed outside. His terrified screams made the current Lord of the West flinch. "Don't worry, Taisho-sama. I will return him a Taiyoukai fit to be Lord of all Lands, not just the West."

"See to it, sensei," replied the Lord coldly, his eyes watching through the doors as his son was tethered to a horse. Unori bowed and walked out, stopping briefly to give his old student a smirk.

The Western Lord walked out, not looking at his heir and quickly mounted his steed. He gripped the reins and turned the horse slightly towards Unori, who had already mounted his own horse, and son.

Sesshomaru looked up at his father, his face tear-stained. "Why?"

The Lord looked away, his eyes landing on the toad. He went over to it and leaned down, easily picking it up. "Take care of the boy," he hissed, throwing it out, a grim smile adorning his handsome features as it squawked upon landing a few feet away from his young master. May the Gods help you, boy. His son looked so tiny, so defenseless. He was suddenly filled with an urgency to stop the hell he knew his son would soon come into contact with. His hands shook as he left, ignoring his son's whimpering.

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The Western Lord entered his mate's chambers. "Rena," he murmured, walking over to her. She was standing on the balcony, her long green hair billowing in the breeze. She was wearing a black nightgown, which made her hair stand out much more. Her pale skin seemed to glow in the moonlight; the marks on her face made her seem much paler. "Rena," he repeated, coming up to stop right behind her.

"Go away," her melodious voice making the rejection seem less harsh than intended. She pulled away from his embrace. Her lower lip quivered as tears filled her eyes. "You took him away. You took my son away. And for that, I cannot forgive you."

"Rena," he whispered, "You know it was meant to be." He watched with sorrow as she lost her control and the sobs came.

"MEANT TO BE?!?!?" she threw herself at him, hitting and clawing him. "HOW?!?! He will die because if you! He's just a puppy..." her sobs became muffled as her mate pulled her against him. After a while, she stopped fighting and clung to him. Her heartbroken cries could be heard throughout the castle, the servants wincing at their Lady's pain. They too, would miss the young master and awaited his return.

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While the Western Lands were mourning their heir's hellish leave, the Northern Lands celebrated the arrival of its heiress.

Kagome, a blue-eyed baby girl with raven locks was born to the world's most revered priestess, the Miko Midoriko. As Midoriko slept, her husband, Lord Katsuro of the Northern Lands inspected his tiny daughter.

"Kagome," he said softly, smiling when she yawned and opened one eye to peek at him. "You are indeed a Godsend. You will rule these Lands as the most powerful Miko the world will ever know. Do you know how I know that, sweet one?"

Kagome sneezed, the sensation making her whimper.

"No, shhh." The whimpers subsided. "Because of the prophecy. And because your future mate has begun his training in order to not only protect you, but to become your equal." His dark brown eyes were shining with unshed tears. He turned to Midoriko, who had stirred back into consciousness during his revelation. "Thank you, my love. She is perfect."

Midoriko sighed, smiling when he placed their babe into her arms. "Kagome," she crooned, "Are you hungry, sweet one?" When Kagome only stared at her, trying to focus, Midoriko chuckled softly. "She is perfect." She began to feed the child, smiling tenderly, her eyes showing how weary she felt.

"Sleep, darling. I will send the missive to Inu no Taisho to let him know the prophecy has been put into motion."

Midoriko only nodded. "Oh, my little one. How much you will suffer because of Fate. You and poor Sesshomaru..."

Kagome only stared, but Midoriko knew her daughter understood.

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