Chapter 1: Goshinboku's Roots Part One

Prince Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands was a young demon that often found himself wandering. His father, the Great Dog Demon, along with his mother, had trained him at a very young age to defend, to fight, to protect, and to one day rule the very lands that his father has kept alive and prospering for centuries. However, with his father alive, well and healthy and with the young Prince having learned everything he needed to learn, there was no great use for him in the palace. There were no battles to be fought and there were to wars to wage or win; there was just peace. His father and his mother had reigned over their kingdom, their territory without a threat for years and so Sesshoumaru often found himself bored.

There was nothing to do for the young Prince expect to wander. He'd leave his home for months at a time, travelling all corners of his father's lands.

This time Sesshouamru had been wandering for about 46 days. He had walked leisurely from village to village and most of the time he dared not venture inside. Not in fear of the creatures that reside in the village, but simply the lack of desire to interact with them. Today, he found himself in a human village. The Prince had no qualms about humans, after all he had been taught to care for the wellbeing of their people, but he didn't particularly like staying too close with humans for very long. His keen sense of smell often stung with a burn from their, let's say, unique scent. His father had never minded or even noticed it, his mother outright refused to breathe it in, but Sesshoumaru found that for short periods of time, it was tolerable.

The particular village he found himself in now wasn't too bad. It was the village wherein a priestess whose spiritual powers had awed even him. Priestess Kikyo was the head of the village before she passed away some odd years ago and it seemed that now, it was Priestess Kaede, her younger sister that protected the village from mindless-savage demons. Sesshomaru, having known both priestesses from the times when they'd been in the castle, had taken the time to stop by and give a greeting whenever he stopped by.

It was late in the night when he had entered their village, but as always he had every intention of at least saying hello to the now elderly Kaede. However, before he could disturb the Priestess' slumber he had heard the most angelic sound; one that would undoubtedly change his life. Of course he didn't know it then.

Sesshoumaru stilled at the sound. His heart pounded against his chest, and his ears. He felt flushed for a moment as if that distant voice had been whispering sweet nothings into his ears. It was thrilling and at the same time terrifying, nothing before had ever affected him so greatly.

For a moment it was as if he had been snared by a siren song, which was impossible. Sesshoumaru had before met with a siren. He had been curious when he was young and he had asked his father if he could hear one when he was old enough. When he had heard it, he had been disappointed, although it sounded nice, it was hardly worth being enamored by. But this, this song that was being sung now, this must be his own siren song. A song to call him because who else was awake to hear it now. All these humans were asleep and here he was, planted to the ground by a voice whose owner he did not know and by a voice that both caressed him softly and heatedly. A voice that enticed a demon that no one ever could.

The song continued to whisper in his ears, it was a call for him and he wanted to heed it, but caution won in the young heir's mind. He didn't know the source of the sound, it was unheard of that something as simple as a song could capture his every being. On a normal occasion Sesshoumaru would investigate for himself, but tonight, he felt ill-prepared, what if he lost his senses by the sweet and melodic voice? Finally, the demon heir made a conscious decision, he would turn and leave tonight and research the sound far away from its source. But his subconscious had other plans. When he'd finally acknowledged his decision to ignore the song and to walk away he found his feet taking steps towards the forest next to the village. His only drive, his inner demon's desire to heed the song's call.

With each step the sound didn't get any louder or any softer, and it made Sesshoumaru believe even more that the song was meant for him. It was calling him to the center of the forest and what awaited him there he didn't know, but even with his decision to walk away and his now inability to stop walking towards it, he found that his demon did not think there would be any danger. In fact, his demon purred. And he in return had felt a kind of peace and contentment that he'd never known before. It was like being a pup once again and knowing that no matter where he was, his father and mother would keep him safe. Was this what it was like to be snared by a siren? To lose sense of once wellbeing and self and simply let things happen as they may?

Sesshoumaru continued through the forest and it was not long before he was faced with a massive and magnificent tree. Goshinboku, a tree of ages. Sesshomaru had seen it once before and although he had admired it then it couldn't compare to what he saw tonight.

On Goshinboku's upturned root was a creature Sesshoumaru could never believe ever existed. A ethereal, celestial and heavenly being that provided a warm glow and a voice that had called to him. Oh, the creature was beautiful. A beauty that Sesshomaru would not be ashamed to admit had awed him. A creature that exuded the warmth and light of a mid-day sun. Who was it? Sesshoumaru had no idea, but it didn't matter.

Sesshoumaru admired the figure, scared to blink in the off chance the being would disappear, afraid to move in case he startled the creature and it fled. The young Prince wanted to move though, wanted to be closer, but he knew nothing in his level of self awareness or arrogance could ever allow him to move, he truly feared that the heavenly creature would disappear if he were to disturb him.

Sesshoumaru stood his ground, perfectly still. He continued to watch the young figure on Goshinboku's roots. As far as Sesshoumaru was concerned, the people of his Father's lands were wrong. He, Sesshoumaru, was not the perfect and unearthly being of these lands, it was this, this creature in front of him now.

The young dog demon didn't know how long he stayed there, but with the soft tunes coming from the lovely creature he found sleep trying to claim him. Slowly, cautiously, he found a spot on the ground, away from the creature's way but within sight. His eyes drifted close, only to snap back open a second later when he realized that he was starting to fall asleep. It had been a long time since Sesshoumaru was ever sung to sleep, thinking back, perhaps this was the first time he'd ever heard a lullaby for himself.

Although the creature he came to see had already been singing before he even came to perch his bottom at the root of a nearby tree, Sesshoumaru still believed that the song was for him. He enjoyed the soft tunes that led him to what he can only assume as a false sense of security, but as he fought to keep his eyes open one last time he conceded. As his eyes finally drifted to a close his last vision was of the creature in front of him, humming, staring, smiling and his little triangular ears twitching so adorably.

When Sesshoumaru had woken up, it was to the scent of the old priestess walking in his direction. He had fallen asleep, in the woods, while there was a strange and potential threat, but Sesshoumaru couldn't find the will to feel guilty, ashamed or regretful. He was young and no harm had befallen him, surely the creature with the cute puppy ears was not dangerous. He had not let his guard down, he convinced himself that he had been tired from the start because of his travels. Inwardly, he tried to convince himself of what happened. He hadn't fallen asleep because he had felt warm, comforted and safe in the beautiful creature's presence - of course not.

Sesshoumaru mentally shook his head to rid himself of the thought of the puppy-like figure he had seen the night before. It was unlikely that he would even see him again, but despite the unlikeness, Sesshoumaru wish him back.

"Good morning to ye, young heir of the Western Lands." Sesshoumaru simply nodded his head for a reply. He never had anything to say, it should suffice as a greeting and acknowledgement that he had even thought to show his presence to the old priestess. Kaede didn't take offence of course. During Sesshouamru's visit Kaede would often speak about how the village was faring, but today Kaede smiled at him knowingly.

"Has the young heir met the spirit of this forest?"

At the question Sessohoumaru's heart skipped a beat. The dog demon had no clue as to why, but hearing about the creature mentioned made him… jealous. He had thought the puppy-like creature was his secret. It was a childish notion, but Sesshoumaru almost wanted to tell the old priestess that no one else should be privy to accompany the spirit, as she called him, except for him. But of course that would be idiotic to say out loud. The lovely creature probably resided in this forest, it was only natural the old priestess would know of its existence. Wait… does it? Perhaps if anything the old woman could tell him about the so called spirit, even perhaps when he'd be back.

"I am happy to know that ye have kept the lonely spirit company. I do not know who it is or precisely what it is, only that he has been here since even before my elder sister, Kikyo, or our mother had come to care for the village."

"Does he come and sing often?"

"Pardon me young heir, but I do not know what he does. I have never heard his voice or seen his face. All I feel is his presence near Goshinboku's roots. However, if ye are seeking to find when he next will visit, I cannot give an answer. There are times when I feel the spirit's presence once every moon cycle, but there are times when 2-3 moons have passed without him ever making an appearance."

Sesshoumaru nodded, the young demon did not outwardly make his emotions known, but he was disappointed. If the lovely creature had been coming to this forest since before Kaede's mother, statistically Sesshoumaru would probably not hear the soft tunes that both lulled him to sleep and kept his heart pounding for a while. Sesshoumaru was no more than a small pup when he had met Kaede's mother and he had been in this village a few times since then, and not once had he ever heard someone singing. 250-300 years have passed and Sesshoumaru had only seen the creature once; last night.

"Do you recall how many times you've felt his presence Priestess Kaede?"

Kaede looked to the young heir, "I do not recall, but it was not until recently that I started to feel his presence at all. I believe that the young spirit, along with being a protector of this forest is also somewhat like a shinigami. Near my elder's sister's death she had spoken about feeling a spirit's presence in these woods. I believe that the young spirit unknowingly (or otherwise) prepared my sister for her eventual death."

Sesshouamru's eyes narrowed briefly, "Is it your assumption then that the spirit is here to prepare you for death or to prepare me for mine?"

Kaede paused, "I meant no offenses to ye, Son of InuTaisho, I believe that he is here for me. While I may not hear his singing, his presence alone puts me at ease. It is almost as if he is calming my very soul with every visit. The fact that you heard and saw him last night is something I can't explain. He had never shown his face to my sister. Kikyo would have told me if he had, therefore I do not think that you seeing him is a sign of your death. Ye must be special in some other way."

Sesshoumaru continued his travels past the village and to the next one. He travelled until he was at the edge of the Western Lands. Normally Sesshoumaru would take his light form and simply travel quickly and almost teleport to the Western Castle, but after what had happened in the roots of Goshinboku he felt the need to stop by the forest in the off chance that the puppy-spirit would appear.

It was a new and almost thrilling experience for Sesshoumaru to feel the desire to do anything other than wander. To visit the puppy gave him a purpose, one that he was excited to have.

Sesshoumaru lingered at the edge of the village, near and close to the forest that held Goshinboku's roots, but he hesitated to venture further inside. What was he trying to accomplish by coming there? The priestess had made it clear that the spirit was illusive and often only visited once every moon. Since Sesshoumaru was last there, only another 10 days have passed.

Sesshoumaru continued to linger at the edge before his feet once again made the decision for him. Soon enough, he found himself heading back to the small area where he had seen the spirit with the puppy ears. Sesshoumaru stayed seated at the same tree-base he had once and simply sat in silence. He knew what he was waiting for and logically he knew that what he was doing was idiotic, but acknowledging idiocy certainly didn't mean he would not act on said idiocy.

For the first time in a long time, Sesshoumaru felt at peace, serene, but at the same time anxious for what could happen next.

For the rest of the moon cycle Sesshomaru stayed near, around and at the base of the same tree that had the best view of Goshinboku's roots.

He feared leaving and missing the spirit's appearance but at the same time he knew he couldn't stay in the same forest for very long. He had kept a strict routine for decades now, to break it so suddenly would raise more eyes, ears and interrogation than Sesshoumaru was willing to face.

His routine had already been broken the last few days. He should have gone back to the palace a long time ago. His parents were sure to have noticed by now.

Knowing that he had to keep a semblance of normality, he moved from his travels that have been en route from west to east to north to south.

The trek was long in Sesshoumaru's mind. Every night he imagined the spirit of the forest and every night he regretted having to leave. He was anxious and ready to materialized right in front of Goshinboku's roots, the only thing stopping him? His pride.

He couldn't lose himself just from one creature that he's never actually met. It was extremely foolish and childish. If he did what he so desired, he'd be comparable to a child wanting a lost toy and throwing a tantrum until it was found again.

It was two moon cycles before Sesshoumaru once again found himself in front of the puppy-spirit.

It had been a long day, of travelling when Sesshoumaru finally allowed himself to follow his desires and make an unscheduled stop.

When Sesshoumaru had arrived he was, once gain disappointed to find no one atop the upturned roots. None-the-less Sesshouamru stayed through the night. His eyes closed for only a moment, but when he opened them again, he never wanted them to close again.

The spirit was back - glowing, warm and standing on the upturned roots of Goshinboku's roots. What made it worth all the wait – the spirit was looking right at him with eyes so gentle and at the same time intense that if Sesshouamru was capable or younger his cheeks would have flushed.

Sesshoumaru held the creature's gaze, all the while memorizing everything that his eyes could see, what his nose could scent anything and everything about the spirit.

The contours of the spirit's face, the small-pointed nose, the wide-eyes, soft-pink lips, the triangular ears atop his head that seemed to twitch and bend along with the breeze and the sounds surrounding them. The pale skin, and those golden eyes, so like Sesshoumaru's own and yet so different. The young heir could guarantee that while his own eyes were of similar color, his eyes have never captivated anyone and made them feel a sense of comfort and belonging. His own eyes were cold and calculating, one look at his eyes and most would turn and run.

Sesshoumaru had no idea how long they stared at each other and not once did Sesshouamry think to look away. He was glad he never did, because in the next moment the spirit smiled.

It wasn't a small upturn of the corners of his lips, it wasn't a broad grin, but it was a smile that made Sesshoumaru's heart beat against his chest, far faster and far louder than normal. It was a smile that Sesshoumaru straightened up for. It was a smile that beckoned for him and it was a smile that the young heir had no choice, but to return. This creature before him had the power to turn Sesshoumaru into a child in wonderment.

The smile was only for a moment and the gaze they held for so long was only for a moment longer and finally, the spirit let out a sound so soft, so gentle, that Sesshouamru couldn't do anything, but relax.

The spirit was singing his wordless song once again. This time though, Sesshoumaru knew for sure that the song was for him.

For months Sesshoumaru added a new element in his patrol and that was to stop by the forest and check to see if the spirit was there.

Lady Kaede had grown accustomed to his presence as well as some of the other residents of the village.

There was never a guarantee that Sesshouamru would see the spirit, but that uncertainty never wavered Sesshouamru's resolve to visit any time that he could.

It has been over 12 moons since the first time that Sesshoumaru had "met" the spirit and Sesshoumaru found that his interest in the creature had yet to wane. Every day he still thought of the melodic voice that was capable of lulling him to sleep and keep his heart thumping, making feel more alive than anything ever had before.

During the 12 moons, Sesshoumaru had been privy to the spirit's presence a total of five times and the young demon treasured each time.

"Why do you visit Lady Kaede's village so often?" The question was so nonchalant that Sesshoumaru knew there was something else behind those words.

Instead of answering right away he turned to face his parents. His father had a gentle, almost teasing smile while his mother's was the complete opposite. Her face was displeased and if Sesshoumaru wasn't mistaken, she looked disgusted. Oh! Her displeasure against humans.

Sesshoumaru didn't answer, he didn't think his father was actually asking the question and so he waited for what his father had actually meant by those words.

"I have tried to ask around if there are any demoness in the area, perhaps one has finally captured your attention. But alas, no such demoness exists." InuTaisho paused for a moment, he wanted to gauge his son's reaction to the statement and as expected his son didn't look fazed or interested, so he continued on. "Then perhaps, I thought you'd found a human that interested you, perhaps amused you." The Lord paused again, this time giving a small chuckle as he saw his son's frown deepen and he heard his wife scoff at the idea. "Until finally, I found that you're interested in the fauna of the area, not its creatures."

"Fauna, father?" Seshoumaru inquired; there was no demoness, no human and definitely no fauna that intrigued him.

"Yes, an ancient tree. Goshinboku, I believe?" At the name Seshoumaru's facial expression almost gentled. It was minute and not many could have seen the change, but his parents had seen the gentleness that lingered in his eyes.

At the sight of his son's eyes, his posture and that turn of the lips that looked like it wanted to be a smile, InuTaisho raised an eyebrow. Was his son interested in a tree? How odd.

It was only until his Lady Kumiko voice her next words that the whole idea finally clicked.

"Who is it?" Asked InuTaisho's mate.

Sesshoumaru eyed his mother, the heir almost asked his mother what she meant until he realized it would just piss her off, so instead of answering anything at all, he simply stared at them without a reply.

InuTaisho smiled, realization dawning on him, "You are meeting someone at Goshinboku's roots."

Sesshoumaru neither confirmed nor denied the statement.

"Is it human?" asked Kumiko with a sneer.

InuTaisho sighed, his mate needed to be more tactful. Their son had not showed an interest in anyone or anything since he was a child! He didn't want to deter his son from pursuing someone because they were human. He wanted his son to be happy or at least interested in the world again. Sesshouamru was so disengaged sometimes that the Lord often wondered what tied his son to their lands or even to the living world.

"Kumiko, my mate, if it were human that Sesshoumaru came to see, we would not be against it, would we?" InuTaisho spoke volumes with his eyes, mostly it was to convey to his wife that they would discuss it later. The Lord didn't want Sesshoumaru thinking they disapproved his meeting with whatever creature he found himself interested in.

Sesshouaru would have rolled his eyes at his parents if he didn't think for one moment that his father would have given him a spanking for such a childish gesture.

"He is not human."

As soon as the words were spoken, his mother sighed a huge relief while his father had smiled. His son had given an answer. A male creature, it must be a demon. From where, the Lord wondered.

InuTaisho was about to ask when he saw his son leaving. He sighed in disappointment. He had wanted to know more about the demon that his son had been meeting the last few months. The same demon that brought a gentleness to his son that no one could ever nurture.

Months. It was months after the first year until Sesshoumaru's devotion to the creature paid off more than he ever thought possible.

Sesshomaru glided in towards the forest, slowly Goshinboku's roots came into view and not for the first time Sesshoumaru's heart thumped wildly. The young heir froze at the sight of the puppy-spirit. Unlike the other times that Sesshoumaru had come to visit the spirit was sitting on the roots of the enormous tree, his back touching the base. One of his legs was up, feet flat on the root, knee raised while his other leg dangled to the side, swinging back and forth. His gaze was in the distant, but the instant Sesshoumaru had still at his position the spirit had turned his gaze towards him.

For the first time, Sesshoumaru understood what the fast beating of his heart meant. He was nervous. Extremely nervous.

The puppy waited for him to step forward. Perhaps it was waiting for him to sit where he usually sat during his now regular visits. At least that's what it looked like. However, Sesshoumaru couldn't move, he was rooted to one spot, unable to move in fear that the spirit was just teasing him and that he wasn't really waiting for the young heir.

When Sesshoumaru didn't move, the spirit smiled at him, silently trying to urge him to come closer. When no further movement was made from either of them the spirit laughed. A soft melodious laugh, fit for a man, for the gorgeous creature before him. Sesshoumaru could only stare and he knew, he knew he was being ridiculous.

"Hey! My name is Inuyasha, what's yours?"