Aphiopsyduck: Hello all! I got this idea after watching A
Christmas Carol with Patrick Stewart the other night. I haven't seen
this particular take on the story before, though... Anyhoo. I hope you
guys enjoy this! :o)
A Love Ballad
Chapter 1: In the Beginning
He was known as the Inutaiyoukai, the Lord of the Western Lands. His domain was the largest in all of Japan at the time. Both feared by his enemies and revered by his allies, he inspired a quiet confidence in everyone around him. And he demanded respect.
His latest endeavor was taking him twice as long as he was used to, however. His latest enemy refused to die, and it was taking a toll on him. The last battle had been a hard one, and he was unsure as to how to deal with the lingering pain in his body.
He had decided to let things be, but his rival refused to cooperate. As usual.
He faced off against him once more before the beginning of spring. And finally won.
But this story is not about how that battle was won. This story is about what happened after…
*****
"Jaken."
"Y—Yes, my Lord?" The small toad, his most faithful servant, came closer.
"We are being watched."
The toad made a show of looking around, deliberately missing the intruder. "I do not see anyone, my Lord!"
A giggle came from behind a statue. "Find the intruder, Jaken."
"Yes, my Lord." The tall demon marveled at the change in his retainer. A few months ago he couldn't be bothered to interact with the human child, and now he was a willing playmate. The demon lord was content.
And yet there was something missing. Something… else.
A vision of a young woman clad in a strange kimono blinded his senses. She was pointing an arrow at his heart, frowning slightly in concentration. He frowned; he had no time for foolish humans and their weird ways.
"Aha! Found you, human!" His retainer's voice brought him out of his reverie. He watched as Jaken chased the giggling child through the garden, dodging several flowering bushes and stone statues before he tripped and fell, making the child laugh. A smile escaped his lips before he regained his composure.
"Rin." The girl turned to him, a smile on her lips. "Come." He turned and went inside.
Without missing a beat, the girl skipped after him.
*****
Night fell upon the castle, and the household went to bed. Except the demon lord. He wandered the halls until he ended up at his study, his sanctuary from life. He shut the door behind him and sat down to deal with the latest round of paperwork.
He was almost finished when he heard it.
Looking up, he tried to pinpoint the source of the rasping noise that had interrupted his work. As the sound came closer, he let his claw drip poison before realizing that no one was supposed to be able to breach the barrier around his castle.
The candle on his desk flared up and went out, leaving him in total darkness.
The sound came closer, and he readied his light whip.
"Sesshoumaru… Sesshoumaru…" He frowned at the voice.
"What do you seek?" He cracked his whip and found himself staring at his old retainer Ayane. His dead retainer.
"You have no idea what this is like… The loneliness, the despair…"
Sesshoumaru frowned. "This is not my concern. Return to wherever you came from."
"I cannot, Master. I came to warn you. I made many regrettable mistakes in life, which I am atoning for in death. My biggest mistake was not making the most out of what life handed me. In the end I died alone because of my foolishness. You must not end up like me. Take heed, Master. You shall be visited by three friends of mine tonight. They shall show you the way." Ayane frowned. "Do not repeat the mistakes of the past. Of my past. Heed their words, and learn from my errors." Ayane faded away, leaving Sesshoumaru alone once more.
"Stupid demon…"