Prologue
The cold, harsh wind blew mercilessly through the dark, December night. The moon hung high in the sky – the lunar eclipse of the century had begun. Huge waves clashed against the large, rocky boulders and one tiny crab fought to hold onto the strong seaweeds as the waves threatened to pull it back into the dark depths. The sky was partly covered in dark clouds and the snow-covered ground reached two pairs black booted feet, both dressed in pure, white silk – their long sleeves flapping around their forms.
A grand figure stood and watched the moon with golden eyes, his blood from a large gash dripped rapidly from his deadly claws onto the clear, white snow that sparkled underneath moon's light as it peeked out from behind the clouds. His long, white hair was pulled into a high ponytail, supported by two, red chopsticks. He knew he was going to die this night, but he held onto hope. His time was near – and yet, he was prepared to meet his destiny. His armored body was close to total shutdown from a previous battle against an evil dragon – a great enemy, but he had one last battle to preform – alone.
His broad shoulders were covered in spiked armor made from the strongest of demon bones and on his back – a white pelt, signalizing other demons of his true station as the present Lord of the Western Lands. On his strong hips, he carried two swords he had forged by the great sword smith of the name known as Totosai, and old demon who had forged magical swords from the Western Lord's own two fangs. Tetsusaiga, a sword that could destroy one hundred demons in one slash, and Tenseiga, a sword that could revive one hundred lives in one swing. And on his strong, muscled back he carried the deadly sword of the name So'unga, a sword so dangerous it would great destruction over the lands of Japan if in wrong hands.
"Father," the second figure's deep voice reached his pointed, elfin ears. He ignored his son and kept staring at the moon for it may be last he would ever gaze at. His pale skin glowed in its light, highlighting the pair of dark, purple stripes that run across his high cheeks. "Do you insist on going?"
The Western Lord cracked an ironic smile; his deadly fangs peaked through his pale lips. "Do you intend to stop me, Sesshoumaru?"
The younger demon behind him remained silent. His long, loose hair reached his back, and his parted bangs blew furiously in the cold wind. The two demons were not bothered by the cold bite of the wind, both holding their grounds – neither moving.
The suspense between the grew.
The crescent moon on top of the younger demon's head signalized his heritage as the future demon Lord of the Western Lands, the most powerful of all demons. And yet, he was not yet of age to rule. The crescent moon had been given from his mother, as the Western Lord had mated to rule.
The son let a clawed hand run through his white hair, narrowing his golden eyes at his father's appearance. Both knew he would run into his death. "I will not stop you," he declared. "However, I must insist that you entrust the swords, So'unga and Tetsusaiga, to this Sesshoumaru."
The older demon's voice grew wary – his son was not yet ready to master such powerful swords. "And if I say that I will not give them to you… Would you kill me – your own father?"
Again the younger demon remained silent and the older demon chuckled darkly, "Do you truly desire power that much?" Snow began to fall from the sky and onto the ground peacefully – mingling with the already fallen snow upon the ground – oblivious to the forming battle between the two demonic beings. "Why do you seek power?" he finally asked.
"I must walk the path of Supreme Conquest. Power is necessary in order to walk that path." The monotone voice of the younger demon reached the Lord's ears and he lowered his battered face to look onto the ground.
"Supreme Conquest…" He mimicked his son's words and a flash of a young, human woman's smile flashed through his mind. "Sesshoumaru, is there something you want to protect?"
The younger demon narrowed his eyes; the wind blew blowing harshly through his white bangs. "Something to protect…?"
He recalled a woman's sweet smile, white pearly teeth shining at him through perfectly shaped, pink lips – her bell-like laughter rang in the back of his mind. He scoffed, willing the image out of his mind and kept his narrowed eyes at his superior father. A large wave crashed with the boulders underneath them. "I have no need for such an endeavor." He said as he lifted his deadly, clawed hand elegantly to his side, the sleeves of his white kimono rippled in the wind.
The older demon narrowed his eyes and snarled as he began to transform into his true form. Underneath the handsome demon Lord, lay a powerful beast, such as all demons truly were nothing but horrible beasts.
His son backed away as he looked onto his father's snarling beast – a great dog took his place, filling the atmosphere with demonic energy. The size of the demon was huge, and it covered the moon – casting a shadow over Sesshoumaru's now much smaller form. The younger demon had seen his sire's beast on more than one occasion; however, this time he could not feel the proper respect a son should feel for his father – the foolish father that he was.
His sire leaped up and into the air – disappearing into the thick forest.
"Something to protect," the younger demon muttered underneath his breath, the image of a beautiful, sun kissed face flashed through his inner eye before he willed it away once more. "Ridiculous," he said and turned on his heel to walk back to his castle.
On the other side of the hill a grand castle lay at the base of a mountain, its gates heavily protected by guards and priests – waiting. For tonight their beloved princess would give birth to a beast, a demon, and they would protect her from the beast's father from killing her offspring – a half-demon. Half human, half demon and they had sworn to kill it off no matter their master's words. No such abomination had the right to live.
Torches burnt fiercely among the crowd that had gathered, armored samurai stood their ground – waiting. Priests of high rank stood positioned with their sutras and prayer beads, ready to rid the lands of this powerful demon. The anticipation for the battle that would soon take place lay like a thick fog, their hearts beating in their chests.
The great castle's gardens were untouched; no servants could be spotted in the hallways. All had been assigned to protect the princess. A lone pair of footsteps could be heard as the black, leather boots touched the wooden flooring. A red, armored samurai walked calmly towards the princess' chambers in need of a conversation with her. He had a duty to preform – a duty given to him by human kind. Under his muscled arm he carried his helmet and in the other he held a large spear. Yes, he would fulfill his duty by killing the princess before she gave birth.
A woman dressed in a brown kimono stepped towards him as he neared the princess' chambers and bowed low, a woman who knew of his destination. "Please wait, my Lord Takemaru! The princess is currently in labor! You must not disturb her!"
The man stepped beside the woman, "The princess is carrying the child of a demon. I have no need for hesitation," he declared carelessly and continued to step away from the woman.
The woman became furious with the red-cladded samurai and raised her voice, "You are not allowed to enter this place!"
The man turned around, glaring daggers at the woman. How dared she stand in his way? The woman hesitated and began to slowly back away from the terrifying man, "Lord Takemaru?" He raised his spear and plunged the weapon into the woman's stomach, not caring to even lift the sword that rested on his hip. He cared not to watch the woman die and he continued to walk calmly to his destination.
Inside the princess' chambers the servants had pulled the pink curtains around the princess' bed shut, and left the room as a strict order from their princess. She wished not that anyone would be hurt from her demon Lord's wrath, as he would slay anyone that dared step into his path.
Her long, black hair was sprawled around her head like a halo and she closed her eyes shut – pain, the baby was coming. It was time to give birth to the child she had carried for six months. Her Lord had told her of the cycles when one would give birth to a demonic child, the wait would be shorter than that of a human's. She felt another pull and she opened her beautiful, brown eyes. "Dearest…"
Across the landscape a huge dog ran by in a hurried pace, scaring off any animals or demons, none dared to step into the powerful dog's path. A tiny flea's hands held onto his Lord's strong, white mane as he ran – the panicked face of the tiny demon strongly visible.
"My Lord, 'tis no use, 'tis too soon, please reconsider!" The dog demon ignored is servant and kept on running. "My Lord, the wounds from the battle with the dragon Ryuukotsei have not healed yet!"
The red eyes of the demon was fixed in front of him as he continued running, "I cannot let her die like that. Besides, I do not have much time left as it is. This is the way it was meant to be. This is what the human child predicted."
"But, My Lord…"
The demonic dog sped up, yet again ignoring the pleas of his servant.
Back on the castle ground the red-armored samurai walked calmly towards the princess' chambers. His emotions were raging inside him, and yet he appeared as calm as possible. He stopped outside the doors that lead to her chambers. He inhaled sharply before he lifted his head towards the moon. "A lunar eclipse, huh? A fitting night to kill the demon," he mused.
He grinned and stepped inside the chambers that belonged to the princess. He opened the curtains slightly to view the woman in labor; she did not notice him at first. His shadow fell over her petite frame and he admired her beauty. He knelt down close to her bedding, putting his weapon down on the flooring and her brown eyes fluttered open. "Who is there?" Her weak voice reached his ears.
"Takemaru of Setsuna," he replied.
"Takemaru?" she questioned, her voice was nothing but a low whisper, and let the name roll over her tongue. "Thank goodness," she said, panting, and a small smile plastered itself on her red lips. "Please take everyone and leave this place immediately," she pleaded. "He will not forgive anyone who is here."
The samurai remained silent for a moment before her spoke, "Lady Izayoi, I have always been fond of you." The small fire that ran on oil by the woman's bedding bathed his frame and he closed his eyes. "Even if your heart has been stolen by a demon," he said with a strained voice.
He lifted his sharp spear from its position on the ground and plunged it into his beloved princess with harsh force. The woman did not scream. He glared at the bed as he saw her blood trailing onto the floor and was absorbed into the silken sheets. The lights died out as he opened the door, the cold wind forcing itself inside the former warm room.
The man left the room with the injured woman, his spear still embedded inside the woman, not caring whether she was dead or alive. He sat the helmet on top of his head – he had a battle to fight and a demon to kill. "My feelings for you will never change," he said hushed into the cold winter night.
The princess raised her shaking hand up towards the soon invisible moon from the opening in the pink curtains. She prayed her demon Lord would come for her soon, but she knew he would be too late. She would die before her dear child could draw its first sight of life. A lone tear slid down the pale that was her skin. In the distance she could hear a loud roar. Please, My Lord…
Upon the hill stood the overly large demon Lord, blotting his fangs as he howled into the night. His red eyes glared down at the castle and its petty army. Nothing would defeat him until he had his human woman and his newborn pup in his arms. Izayoi, I am coming for you now.
The samurai named Takemaru of Setsuna, walked towards the entry hall as the cries of a child reached his ears – the half-demon was born. He scoffed; the abomination would not live for long without its mother to nurse it. He turned back around and walked out the entrance to await the demon Lord alongside his men. But before he had the chance to step out of the shadow a large 'boom' was heard. His dark, brown eyes narrowed into tiny slits – the demon was here.
At the front gates the demon stood surrounded by warriors and samurais, ready to protect their princess who, unbeknownst to them, had been murdered by their trusted leader. They watched the demon Lord dressed in white and polished armor raise his large, mighty sword and they cowered in fear. They had heard of the legendary sword by the name, Tetsusaiga. They were doomed – and they knew. But a warrior never abandoned battle; their honor would simply not allow it.
The demon shouted his battle cry and a flash of white power came towards them – the Wind Scar had been fired. One hundred human in one swing was eliminated by the demon, their bodies torn – dead. The demon smirked as he leaped forward. Arrows met his armor and flesh, and yet, he kept running. He would not abandon his woman and pup. He fired another Wind Scar and the priests tried to flee from the battle scene. All were killed. Their blood was scattered across the snow-covered ground, but their bodies were no longer visible. Pieces of flesh lay on the ground and the demon Lord could not help but grin. He was ruthless.
He ran with incredible, inhuman speed into what only moments had been the main gate. His keen, golden eyes searched the grounds for the woman in his search, "Izayoi!"
Takemaru decided to make his presence know and he stepped through the shadows and into the demon's sight. The overwhelming smell of blood filled his nose, his eyes never wavered from the armored Lord in front of him. "You are finally here, demon. However, you seem to be a little too late."
The dog demon grit his teeth and gold met brown – "What?"
"Lady Izayoi has been sent to a place where not even you can reach her. I sent her there myself."
Gritting his sharp fangs the demon clenched his sword with both hands and sprang forward, "Damn you!"
Takemaru leaped forward with a raised blade to meet the demon. A slash was heard, hot blood was once again spilled on the ground and a lump thud has heard. Takemaru's vision blurred as the immense pain in his arm spread throughout his body and he reached for his wound. The demon Lord had mercilessly cut off his arm – the arm that held his sword. He crunched on the ground, clutching his bleeding shoulder, and called out his orders, "Burn everything down, both the demon and the fortress!"
Flying, burning arrows were met with the dry, wooden panels that were the estate. The fire spread rapidly, covering the entire estate with hot, cruel fire.
Following his keen sense of smell the demon managed to locate his woman and he burst through the growing flames. And there, in the middle of the room he spotted her bedding. He pulled the curtains furiously away and stared at the dead woman. Her blood was still fresh and it disturbed his nose. He growled. Izayoi… He hurriedly drew his sword, Tenseiga out of its wooden sheath and focused his energy on the sword. She would live.
The magical sword pulsed to life and his eyes narrowed as the servants of Hell appeared before his eyes. They touched his woman's shoulder, checking of she was truly dead, but the Lord would have none of it. I beg of you Tenseiga. Let her live… He raised the heavenly sword and pieced through the servants as if they were air. Their screams of terror satisfied him and he watched as the princess' eyes fluttered open once again.
Izayoi…
He wasted no time. He pulled a red kimono from inside his chest plate and placed it on top of the woman's head as he helped her to her feet. He picked up the pup from its crying position on the ground, enjoying the feel of him in his arms. This little boy had a harsh life ahead of him. The demon Lord handed the pup to his mother and turned his back to her, meeting the gaze of the samurai, Takemaru.
"So you followed me," he declared. Not waiting for an answer her let his eyes slide to the woman behind him, "InuYasha."
Takemaru's face twisted in anger, "What?"
"The boy, his name shall be InuYasha," he said forcefully. He felt his body weaken from its wounded state. He knew he would die in this room and he growled.
The princess Izayoi looked with loving eyes to her newborn and whispered his name. She then looked to her demon Lord with a worried gaze. She saw his severe wounds and she knew he would not make it. "My love…"
"If I take you down with me, I will have no regrets," Takemaru declared and walked towards the pair, the fire burning around him, surrounding him. "I will take you with me to hell!"
The demon Lord assumed his position, pulling So'unga from its sheath on his back, he would kill this bastard. "You must live," he said.
"What about you?"
"Now, go!"
"Yes." Izayoi gathered her bearings and ran for the exit and out into the cold. Her feet were bare and it stung her sensitive skin. Her light kimono did nothing to conceal her warmth and she pulled the crying infant closer to her chest. She did not know for how long she ran. The exhaustion from giving birth was beginning to toll in on her.
A flash of white caught her eyes and she turned to her side, "My Lord…"
Had he made it after all?
"How wrong you are, human," came a baritone voice.
The princess felt her fear overtake her as she stared at her Lord's infamous son, Sesshoumaru. Why was he here? Had he come to kill her and her child now that his father was not there to protect her? She took a step backward; tempted to run back where she had come from. However, a large crash was heard and she looked back towards her former home. The powerful energy of a dragon was released and her knees buckled – The Dragoon Twister. The castle collapsed together and she felt her eyes water, there was no way her Lord could have survived such damage.
The younger demon beside her growled and he grabbed her arm, "Look what you have done to the great Dog General! You have doomed him to his death!"
Izayoi, you must live. Live a happy life with InuYasha… The demon Lord's words boomed loud and clear thought the forest surrounding the three inhabitants, making Sesshoumaru scowl.
There was a long pause in the air. "So be it," he said monotonously and fastened his grip on the woman's arm and led her further into the forest.
"Where are you taking us?"
But the stoic demon did not answer.
"Why would you help me?" she asked curiously, grateful for any help she could receive. Even from him.
"My father wished it so."
Izayoi smiled and allowed the son of her lover lead her. She glanced up at him through her thick lashes. She could not bring herself to look at him fully. However, she knew, despite the young demon's cold façade that he had a heart.
"She would have approved."
At this Sesshoumaru frowned. His mother certainly could not care less.
