Hello everyone. This will be my first Inuyasha chapter story. I always wondered that, since Sesshomaru is Lord of the West, why doesn't he live at a palace? I always figured that demons had a government, so after watching Inuyasha: Sword of World Conquest, and reading several books on ancient Japanese government, I put the two together (plus my question) and came up with this story. Please enjoy.
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A brush was dipped gently into an ink well, the excess wiped off, and the brush held over the silk paper hesitantly. Sesshomaru frowned, thinking about the task at hand and clearing his mind of cluttered thoughts. He lowered the brush to the paper and almost effortlessly the calligraphy flowed out. The dim light cast by the guttering oil lamp was more than enough for the demon and he sat in silence, working steadily.
The room he was in was not his room; he hadn't been in his room for several years now. No, the room and the one adjacent to it were being lent to him by his gracious host. Rather, the host was gracious because he knew that the demonic traveler and his weary human companion that appeared at his door late this rainy night were to be treated with the highest respect. The lesser demon had listened closely as the high lord explained his circumstance, stating that he required shelter for the night because the mortal girl accompanying him needed rest and could not handle traveling in such distasteful weather. The lesser lord had bowed and agreed (it was always better to agree with those in higher power); commenting in a hopefully friendly manner on the weakness of humans. The unfortunate lord then found himself lifted off the ground by a highly annoyed dog demon, who whispered in a harsh tone that if the fool dared speak of Rin in that manner again, he would find his head severed from his shoulders. Upon once again requesting a room as the lesser demon was dropped unceremoniously onto the floor, the guest was given the best accommodations the meager palace could offer. So that is where Sesshomaru found himself.
Pausing, the said demon looked up from his work and glanced at the fusuma doors separating his room from Rin's. Her soaked kimono was drying above the charcoal brazier next to the door and she was sleeping peacefully, judging by the sound of deep slow breaths, tucked in a futon of heated down blankets. Sesshomaru himself had gotten drenched as well, and hadn't minded finding a room for Rin, although he would never voice it. He had also changed out of his wet clothing, which was hung up to dry next to Rin's. The Lord of the Western Lands' attire was of similar design, a slightly less formal pattern of red silk chrysanthemums delicately hand-stitched into the flowing white silk. His armor concealed most of the beautiful artwork, but Sesshomaru wasn't at ease in this temporary palace, so the armor was a necessary for comfort purposes.
Placing the imperial-vermilion brush aside to rest on a stand, he carefully reviewed each word written. He made a few scarce adjustments, having been taught at a young age to write with articulate perfection and grace. When he was satisfied, he drew out a golden seal from his sleeve. Stamping his family name next to his signature, he blew on the ink to dry it. He rolled up the silk scroll and placed it next to the brush.
"My lord!"
Sesshomaru looked up to see Jaken slam open the shoji door with a bang and burst into the room. Falling to his knees, panting, Jaken explained himself in a hurry.
"My lord, forgive me for barging in like this, but I have just heard the most terrible news! The Dowager Lady of the Western Lands, Lady Ainiueru, your mother, has been assassinated! I rushed here as fast as possible to tel-"
"Be quite, you fool!" Sesshomaru hissed, shooting Jaken a venomous glare, "Do you want to wake Rin?" To this Jaken shook his head feverishly.
"Good. As for my late mother, I already know of the treacherous deed. I received a carrier pidgin this morning alerting me of it. As usual, you are the last to learn things."
He paused. "We will be attending the funeral, of course."
Jaken was silent, having just made a fool of himself in front of his lord. Bowing deeply, he touched his head to the floor, "My deepest apologizes, my lord. I will try to be more attentive in the future. I thank you for your understa-"
"Why are you still here?" Sesshomaru asked sharply.
"What do you mean my lor-"
"Don't you have a message to return?"
"What!" Jaken exclaimed as he looked around the room frantically.
Sesshomaru calmly gestured to the scroll on the table.
Rushing over, the toad demon scooped up the scroll and, apologizing, he backed out of the room. Pausing just in the hallway, he blinked and looked questioningly toward the dog demon. "My lord, why not send the message by the carrier pidgin?"
Jaken was too far away to see his lord's gold eyes narrow dangerously.
Jaken was not too far away to hear his lord hiss, "Did I ask for questions?"
"N- No, my lord! I go, I go; look how I go!" And with that, he scampered off.
Sesshomaru listened to his servant's footsteps hurry down the hall, and only allowed himself a barely audible sigh when he was certain Jaken was gone. Leaning over, only one thought entered his mind as he blew out the oil lamp.
'Freed. Finally freed.'
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Right, sorry this chapter is so short, but! the others will be longer. This is the prologe, so don't worry.