Prelude

I have seen Gods rise and fall.

I have watched Empires build themselves up high and tumble to their knees.

I have watched the human race evolve and develop. I am thousands of years old, more powerful than the seas, stronger than the forces of Mother Nature and more resilient than the mountains. I am more majestic than time and as ageless as the wind. I am Sesshomaru, Lord and Keeper of the Western Lands.

I have watched as Youkai became revered and worshiped as Gods with many names; Aphrodite, Hades, Zeus. I have seen their half-human offspring become legends such as Hercules, Achilles, and Helen. Around the turn of the century I watched my kind be tamed by the human race. Starting with the Europeans who decided to take the 'damned' out of my kind by turning us into something mythological that all people could relate to; animorphs. Then the Celts, who preferred calling us Fae.

As insulting as these titles were, as demeaning and pathetic and insulting, there was power to be gained in every new title, in every new name. Despite the hunts for the 'damned' most of us lived through these personas of us… And then America was discovered. The Native Americans were a huge influence in making our kind more attractive. I had always enjoyed and almost admired the spirit of the Americans, the innovative way that they thought and the openness of their minds. Maybe that was why I chose to flee the choking population of humans in Japan to the States.

My lands, shortly thereafter, were turned into a preservation; the title left unclaimed; the humans passing down the story that the heir was lost in one of the many wars that decimated and destroyed those people. In America I was surprised to see the lack of fear and on occasion envy of humans who wanted to be werewolves, vampires, ghouls, witches and all other kinds of creatures.

However, despite our growing popularity in the States, and even across the oceans as the American culture became the culture to be; there were those that hated us, and always have. The ones who couldn't accept something different, something more powerful. I however, passed through quietly, gaining fortunes while slipping through life as a beggar. Avoiding the claims of Vampire or werewolf by keeping painfully alert and horribly silent. Slowly I watched my dominion become nothing more than a suburban jungle of humans, with their filthy lives and pathetic goals.

Somewhere around the 18 century, I realized all of a sudden that human lives were short. Sometimes as short as it took for me to breathe. My hate towards these sad and pitiful creatures began to diminish. These creatures, these humans that I was being forced to interact with more frequently everyday, could not even grasp the concept of one hundred years- let alone the thousands I had already lived. As the nineteenth century rolled around an epiphany came one night while watching one man die and another couple give birth within just hours of each other- though I lived forever, they had only a short time. Everything they did impacted them much more strongly, more suddenly, affected their lives for forever. The realization was almost painful. My hate was directed towards a people that would never know, or care. They would be dead before they realized, or even were able to guess at this inbred sense of superiority versus their inferiority. Which, in the end, was the cause of my hate. These humans, I began to understand, were the fragile embodiment of everything evil and weak within myself.

That's when I began my corporation. I don't know how it turned into something so big, or how I lasted through the years without being burned at stake, or murdered, or worse. But I had, and now I was one of the richest men, sought after for parties, lusted by women and men, and yet… Nothing made me forget Rin, nothing could chip away at me like she did. Though I had a thousand year long revelation that made me realize my fathers convictions and meanings, I still hadn't learned to enjoy human company. Nor did I learn how to let them melt the ice that had frozen anything that felt after my love had passed.

And I knew that, though in a much different way from when I was someone to never look at twice, I had become the same demon I was before humans had ever entered my heart. I was ruthless at what I did, seizing assets, corporations, and ripping them apart; selling them for more than what they were worth, all the while looking the part of the heartless bastard. I was a God at what I did, and worshipped rightly so.

However, every now and again, I would escape to a sanctuary. Oddly enough, a national preserve around the tree Inu Yasha had been pinned to, and I would once again relive my older glory days, surrounded by lesser demons than myself, able to freely walk around in my slacks and pin striped suit. I would travel then, walking the paths of old, reliving my memories and sometimes living the days where Rin, Jaken and Ah-Un would be by my side. My constant companions. The ache I felt in my chest would become nearly unbearable before I could reach my domain and I would return as quickly as possible to the new life I had created. I felt caged in by the times, trapped by the closeness of humans and limited open space.

To suit the times I had cropped my hair, covered my markings with make up and would wear colored contacts. And I never, ever transformed into my true self. It had been so long, I almost forgot what I was. I wore the finest of clothes the times had to offer, I really enjoyed the freedom that slacks and the shirts of the new millennium gave my body. Though I missed the elegance and finery of the cloth I wore in days of yore.

For a number of years I was considered the most desirable bachelor this side of the Mississippi, lately I was becoming the most untamable, yet still oh so desirable man, period. World wide. Women today were stupid and dull witted. Their thoughts never went beyond their sex life and vanity. My aloof behavior, my cruel attitude, made them want me more. It was disgusting in a way that gave me power, and I used what I needed to get what I wanted. No one ever was hurt because they were in it for the popularity; I was in it for their property, their assets, something ulterior, just like them. This was a world, I learned quickly, that was powered largely by sex. I missed the simplicity of being able to swing my sword or flex my muscle and having the power I needed.

But life was nothing like it used to be, if Jaken were still alive to see me in my newest power, he would be disgusted. Working along side humans. Though there were many demons who devoted their lives to being sharks, the mafia, or overlords in third world countries, there were many more humans willing to do the work that I was not. The meaningless things, such as meetings with people that I had destroyed, or people who wanted in.

When I awoke today the fog of dream had misted my vision. I had been dreaming of Rin, but as I reached for her the vision faded. With the alarm buzzing in my ear and a wave of depression cresting in my heart, nothing had changed. I covered my body with the new style of clothing, I had chosen a dark outfit for today, a black suit, dark blue shirt and black tie with a singular, mostly eclipsed moon on the bottom. It was my icon for the company. I put in my colored contacts, brown, just to throw people off. My light hair and skin, then dark eyes, very off-putting for those that worked with me, or against me. I covered my markings, something I did regrettably each morning, wishing ever so badly to just walk through the doors with these showing. I could call them a stupid mistake during my rebel days… it's what I told the women who bedded with me, the ones who saw the purple markings that ran the length of my torso, on my hands, and the crescent on my forehead.

I stood back from the mirror, observing myself. I was no longer beautiful, but very handsome. If I had really wanted, with this look, I could have passed the audition for Lestat, and almost any other vampire in reality. I sighed, turning towards the door, calling the local coffee shop and ordering straight black. This was an era of convenience, and I took advantage of that. As I was walking to the store I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my email, checking for any local business' going under, any stock that could be swamped and taken, anyone who was willing to buy my latest find, a nice old cotton business that couldn't keep up with the times, and couldn't refuse my offer. Of course, I had a few small businesses besides my own that did their original thing, but were owned by me, completely while continuing their original work. It helped the local economy and made me something of a hero in those small towns. Small town business men didn't forget a favor when they were given one.

I stopped at the coffee shop and sat down with the hot drink at a table behind some girl with a laptop, a quick glance told me she was doing a report for some advanced college class. There was a man in his fifties dying of cancer at the counter, the boy who served me my drink was busy texting someone for tonight. But these people did not intrigue me the way the blond across the shop did.

He was short and thin, his eyes shifty, his false image wavered as soon as he saw me. I smiled, showing him some fang and a sweat broke out along his hair line. The demons of this era, of this nation were so pathetically weak. And then I felt it. An ominous force that shook me, I hadn't felt power like this in years and a tremor of excitement shot through my body, I hadn't felt power directed at me in years. I stood, a slightly red haze blurring my vision and in my haste spilled my coffee, not only on the girl, but all over her laptop. She screeched in indignation, but that was the least of my worries. If I didn't leave this vicinity, there would be many pointless casualties.

However, this girl didn't seem to think so. She stood, which surprised me, I didn't figure she'd be at all attractive, and though she wasn't as sexy as most of the women I had known she could have passed. Her hair was a deep brown red, her green eyes flashed. Her skin was dark, though if it was artificial or real I could not tell.

"You fucking had better pay for this." She stepped closer, and I was amazed. Even if I was mistaken for human, I knew I was intimidating. "That had all my homework on it, my music…"

The power that was meant for me intensified. Angered at this woman, I pushed by her, racing outside of the store. Cautious I stopped long enough to listen, to observe. To find out what dumb shit would attack this Lord Sesshomaru outside a coffee store. Apparently I took too long because she was right there standing behind me.

"What are you doing?" She yelled, "What are you going to do about my laptop? That thing cost me two months of money."

I winced. If nothing else, I understood money in this world and I knew she must be close poor. I felt guilty, though she may or may not have realized it. I turned to her, whipping out a pre-written check.

"Here, have this. Fill out whatever numbers you need." I watched her for a moment; sure she would be satisfied with a blank check. I then began to walk away, wishing I could use more of my power, but so many humans walking around, and my reputation, I would be ruined for the rest of this life.

I gritted my teeth. The power was building, about ready to hit its pinnacle and explode, and I was still in a mostly human district. And there was that human girl, still following me.

"Look," She tried to explain, "This is cool and all, and I could use it for a ton of things, believe you me! But I only want you to pay for my laptop… I can't accept this." And then she did something that no human had ever done to me before. She grabbed my jacket, stopping me in place. "Listen to me, would you?"

I hadn't expected her yank to be so forceful, and the power had snapped, it was heading right for me. In a moment of panic and adrenalin, I fell. Not only did I dodge the bullet, but I covered the frail human from any back lash or debris. Only when the shot had passed and the whistling of the concentrated power had faded I stood, dusting myself off. If not for this stupid, ignorant human girl, I would be dead. I helped her to her feet, the check in her hand now destroyed. Her eyes were wide as she gazed at the building behind me.

"What kind of fucking weapon can do that?"