Sesshomaru's Lack of Time
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, Rumiko Takahashi does.
A/N Haori is and Hakama are all pieces of clothing. If you don't get it go look it up on the internet.
A/N2: did some revisions
Annoyed
Naraku was gone along with the stupid jewel. Stupid for Sesshomaru at least who sat pondering what Jaken had just dared to suggest.
After he had finished traveling the lands he had finished what he started, namely solidifying his hold on the western domain. He may have inherited it from his father but still some demons wished to test the new leader (especially after they heard he had lost his arm to a hanyou), thus Sesshomaru had traveled the land making clear just why the demons should not get on his bad side. After that he could finally turn his thoughts to what he had longed to do. Conquer more land. Despite slightly softening here and there Sesshomaru was still going to build his empire. However these plans would have to wait again due to a new threat.
Although the Panthers in the north were quiet now after the incident with their 'master' those who led the south and east weren't so easygoing as to not bother Sesshomaru. Thus Sesshoumaru was annoyed since it looked like the Eastern and southern rulers had formed an alliance. One against him that is, and were preparing to attack him on two fronts simultaneously. Therefore he was now in his castle (the one he inherited from his father along with the western lands) holding a conference.
Although Bakusaiga could take care of a lot he and his sword could only be in one place at a time. Therefore he had three options. Split his army and hoped one half would hold out until he could finish off one side and get to the others before they were wiped out, face one enemy with his army and and finish them off quickly or as Jaken had suggested split his army so that a minority of high class troops could hold off one side while he and the majority handled the other. The catch to the third option was that to hold enough firepower to face a very large army Sesshomaru would require more than just elite troops. He needed someone who had enough power to handle himself against tougher foes but also capable of being spared to deal with the grunts and large number of cannon fodder that accompanied some armies. The only person Jaken had brought up the fit those requirements would be Inuyasha.
So Sesshomaru was annoyed. He was stuck between either losing close to half his army, which would cause a large drop in numbers, losing land temporarily and risking getting pincered by the other side and being crushed probably losing his army, which would also appear cowardly apart from stupid, or (his expression almost changed at this) he could ask/order his half brother to help.
Option 1 was a bit too risky, his troops would be eliminated and what remained might not be enough to handle what was left. Option 2 was out of the question. It was close to pure folly. Which left option 3. Despite the muttering that would bring it was still the best of the available options. His generals looked on expectantly.
He had three of them, one for the right flank, one for the left flank and one to take over the center if he chose to join the battle personally.
His center commanding general and also advisor at odd moments was Ginkiba, an impressive pure silver dog demon (though still a bit smaller than Sesshomaru) who, when in human form had two green stripes on each cheek and one at each wrist. He wore light purple haori with an green hakama and black boots which closed the hakama at the bottom. He also has a mokomoko (I think that's what the furry thing is called) over his shoulder and almost the same armour as Sesshomaru. Actually all his generals had a mokomoko and standard black armor with stone spikes. Ginkiba also carried a kodachi at his side (through a gold obi) which had a red bound handle and a tassel at the handguard.
His left flank commander Kinyasha was a bit smallish, gold brown colored, dog demon who was also part wolf. Thanks to his somewhat smaller size (in comparison to Sesshomaru at least) he was very quick, not only in movement but also in thinking. In human form he had a bit more tanned looking skin than the other, paler looking dog demons which contrasted with his gold brownish stripes (two on each wrist and one on each cheek). He wore a white haori and white hakama with the usual black boots. He preferred two short swords for the speed they allowed and had one on each side of his blue obi.
Remains the right flank commander Suigan who was smaller than Ginkiba but larger than Kinyasha. Despite being female (the other two were male) she was still impressive both as a commander and warrior and as a beauty. Sporting white bluish fur or hair in human form plus a one purple pink stripe on each cheek, she was impressive and wielded a zanbato as extra in battle. She carried her zanbato with her mokomoko using it to hold it in place and also stick it through the back of her pink and white obi over her reddish pink haori and white hakama with the usual boots. All of them had gold eyes (but not as bright as Sesshomaru's) and carried their somewhat long hair in a ponytail (except Sesshomaru of course).
Outwardly he was calm and said with his usual emotionless voice "Jaken, arrange that when Inuyasha gets here, I can make it clear to him why he should follow my orders", inwardly he sighed at having to involve his brother.
"Of course milord" Jaken said before scurrying away to arrange things.
'Despite his character, Jaken is useful to have around' Sesshomaru thought.
Jaken came back quite quickly and reported "I have sent old Myoga who was bouncing around, hoping for some dog demon blood"
"If he wanted blood how come you were able to convince him to go? Did you give him some?" Kinyasha inquired with an unnoticeable frown.
"...yes" was Jaken's mumbled reply.
"Then where did you get the blood?" Kinyasha further inquired.
"..." Silence was all that greeted them as Jaken left the question unaswered.
Sesshomaru gave Jaken a glare that all but shouted "answer the question".
"well um... you see Lord Sesshomaru has lost blood in the past and I well... er collected as much as possible afterwards. (speaking quickly) Of course that was all for situations like this, some extra blood could be very helpful in some situations." Jaken frantically replies to the question.
Despite his explanation everybody was looking at him with a "yeah right" look from behind their stoic faces, before they continued the meeting. "the next point on the agenda is, menial as it sounds, some of the forest spirits are unhappy about deforestation and want some help in scaring humans away from their forests blah blah blah blah ….."
Elsewhere Myoga was hopping around on his way to Inuyasha's village. Having hopped onto some birds through sheer luck Myoga was able to reach Inuyasha's village in two days.
Inuyasha was sitting -at the goshinboku- with Kagome (some 5 weeks after her return after 3 years) discussing wedding plans when something caused him to slap his cheek. "Well if it isn't old Myoga the flea." Inuyasha said upon closer inspection when he saw something very flat float down "What are you doing here? I thought you were hanging around with Totosai or Sesshomaru trying to get some blood."
"Well you see Lord Inuyasha, I was indeed trying to catch Lord Sesshomaru's blood- though your's is exquisite as always- when Jaken came up and ordered me to tell you that Sesshomaru requires you to do a task and orders you to come to his castle as soon as possible." Myoga replied.
With a look of surprise Inuyasha asked "What does he need me for? And if he thinks he can order me around than he's wrong."
"Yes, I noticed you had made yourself a respectable territory in those three years since Naraku's defeat, but you must remember that it is well inside of Sesshomaru's territory and therefore you would technically owe Sesshomaru your allegiance since he hasn't challenged you." Thus did Myoga answer his lord.
Inuyasha responded by dismissively saying "So what. Even if I'm inside his territory he hasn't exactly informed me about this situation or even mentioned my situation."
"Maybe that's why he looked so annoyed when I called him 'big brother'." Kagome remarked, nodding to herself.
Myoga however had a different opinion. "Lord Sesshomaru would probably kill you if you were anyone else to call him that. Lord Inuyasha, I understand your point but it is like Lord Sesshomaru is the shogun and you are the daimyo of a small piece of land completely capable of running itself and not being affected by the rest of his land. This means that if he calls you should come and-"
"Alright, alright. I'll get moving in a day or two. Hey Myoga" Inuyasha asked as an evil smirk crossed his face "did Sesshomaru say anything against me bringing Kagome or the others?"
"No he didn't Lord Inuyasha." Was the only thing Myoga could say in response while thinking 'Inuyasha is going to get in trouble with Sesshomaru for this'
Just than Shippo came sailing by and landed in the village. So Inuyasha and Kagome set off towards the village. Later that day Inuyasha, Kagome, Shippo, Miroku, Sango, Kohaku (Kirara had scented Kagome's return while in the area and had dragged Kohaku along) and Rin came together at Miroku and Sango's house. Myoga told his story and a lot of talking started.
Inuyasha opened the meeting by with all the tact and subtlety of a hanyou on a battlefield. "Kagome, Miroku and I will be going to Sesshomaru's castle. Sango, Kohaku, Shippo, and Rin Stay. Rin Do you have anything you want me to tell Sesshomaru?"
"Hey why can't I come? I'm a full fox demon." Shippo spoke up.
Inuyasha's answer was to rearrange his face to look like Sesshomaru's emotionless one and sent a very convincing copy of Sesshomaru's death glare at him. The overall effect of this was to send a completely scared Shippo to hide behind Miroku's back.
Blinking and speaking in a tone with evident surprise Kagome asked "When did you learn to do that Inuyasha?"
With a smirk and superior sounding voice Inuyasha replied "While you were away those three years. I did a lot of other stuff too in that time."
This time Kohaku asked a question. "I want to go too. You should always have a demon slayer with you when you visit a demon, besides Shippo and Sango are enough for to protect the village."
"That's right and Rin wants to go too." Rin quickly added her piece.
"We know you want to see Sesshomaru but you do remember the reason you agreed to stay here right?" Was Kagome's gentle reply.
"Yes, to stay until it was safe for Rin to go there and learn as many useful things as possible in the meantime. Okay, master Inuyasha can you ask Lord Sesshomaru when I can come?" Rin said, despite being slightly unhappy at still having to wait.
"Sure and Inuyasha, let Kohaku come the village is very well defended with just Sango and Shippo, so Shippo take guarding the village seriously okay?" Kagome said while smiling at Inuyasha.
"Okay Kagome" Shippo responded while puffing out his chest.
"keh, fine now prepare so we can go tomorrow." Inuyasha grumbled, concluding the meeting.