Sesshoumaru was irritated, and every step he took only fueled his irritation. He had just left the village where his half-brother resided bearing gifts for Rin, the human girl he once brought back to life and journeyed with. The only human he cared about for that matter. As he left, he caught the scent of Inuyasha's mate, Kagome. Glancing down, he saw that she had indeed return after spending three years in her own time. When she saw him, she waved him farewell while saying, "Goodbye big brother." That caused him immediate irritation. How dare she act so familiar with him just because she was the mate of that hanyou. As he walked along, ignoring the ramblings of Jaken, his irritation only got worse. It wasn't so much her words but her very presence that cause his unpleasant mood. Three years she had been gone causing that worthless brother of his to mope around and then she just returns. Three years since the death of that despicable scum Naraku. Three years since the death of her. Kagome's presence brought to the forefront of his mind the woman whom had first caused his heart to stir, whose death had infuriated him and set him on his path to true power. The woman he admits only to himself that had she lived she would have undoubtedly become his mate. He had watched her die, being at peace in a field of flowers simply by his being there. Never in his life had he felt so weak, so utterly useless as in that moment, unable to save her. In his war against Naraku, it was the only battle Naraku had won. Ever since then, whenever a gentle breeze touched his face he thought of her.
The following month Sesshoumaru once again returned to the village bearing a gift for Rin. He could not help spoiling the girl as she had earned a special place in his heart. He had decided to leave her in the village to grow up amongst her kin and enjoy childhood, and then rejoin him when she turned eighteen if she chose. Plus there was a young demon-slayer boy she wished to stay close to. As Sesshoumaru prepared to leave, the young girl blurted out something quite odd. "You should just go get her lord Sesshoumaru" Rin chimed happily. Sesshoumaru simply stared at her liked she had spoken gibberish. He was well aware of her ability to see pass his facade and into his heart so feigning ignorance would not work, but he didn't have to answer her. Rin rolled her eyes at his stubbornness, "you know very well who I'm talking about so why don't you go get her back." Sesshoumaru glared at her "do not speak such foolishness, she is gone," he replied flatly. "So what, are you going to accept it like that, don't you miss her, I know you do." She said while glaring right back at him. He narrowed his eyes at her. "Your lord Sesshoumaru, you can anything. You brought me back to life, twice. So surely you can find a way to bring her back. So no more stalling my lord, go get back what is yours." Jaken was clueless as to what they were talking about (as usual) and didn't like it. He was about to reprimand Rin for daring to speck to lord Sesshoumaru in that when he was cut off before he could even begin, "Jaken stay here until I return" Sesshoumaru said sharply, leaving no room for argument. And with that Sesshoumaru turned, walked three paces and bounded into the sky. Rin waved him goodbye saying "good luck lord Sesshoumaru I'll take care of A-Un and Jaken until you get back". Jaken was left dumbstruck wondering...What just happened. Sesshoumaru flew at top speed, already certain of his destination. Why had he waited so long to do this? Why was it that a little girl could see straight through him? And why the hell was he taking orders from said little girl. He was pulled from his thoughts when he felt a slight demonic aura off to the east on a distant mountain. He knew this aura for it belonged to the sword he had once possessed, Tokigin. He had decided to leave it be having no use for a broken sword but his new sword Bakusaiga started to pulse. Sesshoumaru narrowed it eyes at it wondering what the sword could want. "What is it you desire," he wondered aloud. Then he simply decided to give the sword what it wanted and headed toward the mountain.
Sesshoumaru landed on the mountain at the site of his battle with moryomaru, the place where the Tokigin was broken in half, and there on the ground in front of him laid the very same sword. Once again the Bakusaiga pulsed. "You wish to be drawn do you not," he muttered to himself then drew his sword. The sword pulsed and hummed with demonic power, "hmm, do as you wish" he said then stabbed the blade straight through the broken Tokigin. Immediately Bakusaiga started to absorb the demonic energy of the Tokigin, adding it to its already massive amount. After which the Tokigin became a dull broken blade on the ground and Bakusaiga gained its power and ability's much like how his brothers sword the Tetsusaiga could take the power of the sword it defeats and make it its own. He fired off a (dragon strike) as a test and was impressed at the destructive power of the technique as it obliterated the top of the mountain he was standing on. Having regained the power of Tokigin, Sesshoumaru once again took to the air, heading toward the person he considered the most annoying woman in the world, his very own mother.
Sesshoumaru landed on the steps leading towards his mother's throne room and immediately regretted the decision to come here, but for sake of his goal her help was necessary. His mother, the great dog demoness was in possession of the meidou stone, a powerful weapon capable of opening portals to the underworld and resurrection. However his mother had a flare for the dramatic and knew how to get under his skin so he rarely ever sought her help. The guards bowed respectfully as he passed and the lady in waiting ushered him into the throne room where his mother already awaited his arrival. "My my, to think that you would visit me of your own accord, surely this world must be coming to an end. What is it that you seek this time?" she said in an exaggerated manner. Sesshoumaru glared at her in annoyance. His mother was dress in a beautiful deep purple juuhinitoe with golden sakura petals flowing across the garment; a black obi with the same flower design secured the garment around her waist while a golden chihaya was draped on her shoulders, she exuded power and eloquence (and mischief). She narrowed eyes at her son then sighed "Sesshoumaru, you come all this way no doubt to ask for my help yet you stand there and glare at your own mother, what a rude child you are." Sesshoumaru could feel his irritation building already. "Mother I have no time for your games, I require a path into the underworld," he said flatly in returned. His mother raised her eyebrows the sighed again. 'Really not even so much as a hello, such rudeness, I really don't know where I went wrong in raising you," she said with false dejection. "Mother this is important to me," he replied seriously. This comment seemed to pique her interest. "Oh really now, and what or should I say whom is so important that my son would willingly jump into the underworld for them." She asked. "That is no concern of yours" he said plainly. Even while putting on an air of nonchalance she studied him. It was exceedingly rare for him to care about anyone as evident by the fact that it took him seventy years to even care about someone enough to activate the meidou zangetsuha which her husband, his father told her he would only achieve when his heart was truly moved to save someone. But this request concerned her. Despite her whimsical attitude she truly loved her son and did not want to see him harmed. "Then I will have to deny your request. The last time I sent you there was on orders from your father. He knew that you would come to me to strengthen your sword and even then I was hesitant. But now you would have me do so without even knowing the reason for it, this I cannot do. Besides despite how I may appear I would very much like to have grandchildren and throwing you into the underworld would eliminate such a possibility." Surprise and irritation flashed across Sesshoumaru face before returning to its regal calm. Then with a sigh he spoke. "If that is your wish mother then you are already impeding it." His mother's eyebrows shot up almost into her hairline at that comment.
"What's this? Are you actually intending to bring someone back from death? But if that's the case then why not simply use the Tensaga. Oh I see this woman was not just taken in spirit but body as well. Which is why you need to venture into the underworld." His mother said with apparent giddiness at having figured out his plan. "But still this is a very dangerous thing you wish to attempt. The underworld is not a place for the living and your goal would require you descending into hell itself, far beyond the path. Once beyond the path I cannot help you and even a demon of caliber could not escape it easily." While this was a first, she couldn't simple let him do this. But Sesshoumaru had never done anything without careful consideration, plus the look on his face told her that if she didn't help him he would simply find another way. With a heavy sigh she finally relented. "Very well, but tell me you at least have a means of escape. As I said, even I cannot help you beyond the path. "Of course I do. Who do you take me for? I will return, and I will not be deigned what I want." He said with slight annoyance in his voice. She smiled at her son's antics. "Then I will bestow you with this blessing." She said as she removed the meidou stone from around her neck and held it out with both hands. The light that shone from the stone enveloped Sesshoumaru's body. "The light will protect you for half a day and clock you from detection. But once it's gone the underworld will leach away your life force until you are unable to leave. And bear in mind that time flows differently there so do not stay long." As she issued this final warning she held up the meidou stone which once again shone with brilliant light. Then the path was opened. Sesshoumaru turned and walked fearlessly towards it but stopped right at the precipice. Without so much as turning his head he spoke these three words. "Mother, thank you." Then he leapt through the portal and was gone. His mother sat in stunned silence for awhile. Never had he ever said those words to her. "Well it looks like he's finally growing up. Took him long enough." She giggled to herself.
Sesshoumaru dashed along the path wasting no time in reaching his goal. The guardian to the gates of hell didn't even try to slow him down. He was aware that Sesshoumaru wielded the only sword capable of slaying the denizens of the underworld and decided it was in his best interest to stay clear of him. Sesshoumaru saw the gatekeeper made no attempt to stop him and smirked to himself. "So even the dead have the common sense not to oppose me" he thought to himself. Then he leapt straight off the path, into the pits of hell itself. The underworld was a massive open field of pure suffering. The entire place was tainted blood red and jagged mountains jet black obsidian rose into the black clouds. The air was sulfuric and hazy. The wails of millions of souls in despair filled the air and monsters and demons the likes of which he had never seen before roamed everywhere. For the first time since starting on this mission Sesshoumaru felt doubt. How was he supposed to find her here, amongst all these souls? It was at that time that the Tensaga made itself known. It began to pulse and Sesshoumaru knew what the sword wanted so he drew it. The sword flew out of his hand and hovered in the air. "Lead the way then." Sesshoumaru told the sword and chased after it as it took off to the north. He flew behind Tensaga for what felt like days, following the sword to the one he sought. Nothing paid him any mind which he realized was due to the protection his mother had given him.
Along the way Sesshoumaru spotted and decided to rescue two additional people. The first was Kanna, the mirror demon incarnation from Naraku. He had heard that during her battle with Inuyasha she had stolen all the demonic energy from the Tetsusaiga and nearly defeated him. He also remembered when he received a shard of her mirror and was able to replicate Tetsusaiga's powers. She would be a valuable asset so he decided to take her along. The second was Hakudoushi. Yet another incarnation of the hanyou scum Naraku. Hakudoushi possessed a cunning intellect and could create barriers strong enough to withstand the backlash wave and the red (barrier smash) Tetsusaiga. Both would make powerful subordinates but were not the one he came for. Finally after what felt like months, he found her. There she sat, slumped in a field of dead flowers (ironic I know). With her head hung low and miasma pouring from her body. He paused for a moment remembering the last time he saw her. The rage and shame he felt for being unable to save her. Then slowly he approached. Picked her up in his arms and stared at her. Her wounds closed and her head fell against his chest. He clutched her in his arms almost fearful she would disappear again. "Finally I have found you, Kagura."
Just then Sesshoumaru's luck ran out. The protection spell from his mother faded and he realized his twelve hours were up. Instantly he felt dizzy. He was a living being in the land of the dead so his life force was being drained away until he joined the dead. Plus the denizens of hell could sense him now. And they poured in from all sides to make him one of them. He needed a way out fast and just then it arrived. There was a massive boom as something crashed into the ground in front of him. "To think that you of all people, would be foolish enough to venture into my realm." Someone spoke. When the dust cleared Sesshoumaru saw the one spoke and his ticket out. So'unga, the sword of the underworld that was once wielded by his father Inu no Taisho that Inuyasha and he had locked away in hell. Sesshoumaru knew that coming to the underworld would provoke the sword into attacking him. He glared at it, "I see you're still holding on to that arm of mine." Sesshoumaru said with disgust. "It serves its purpose." The sword replied. "As will you soon enough. "To think that you would come here where I am strongest. To save a pathetic woman. Just how-." Sesshoumaru had had enough already, especially that last statement. And faster than So'unga could see he drew the Bakusaiga and split So'unga in two. "What is this?" The sword choked out. "You may have been powerful in my father's time but you are nothing compared to me. Simply be absorbed and be gone." With that all of So'unga energy was taken into the Bakusaiga. Sesshoumaru immediately jumped into the sky and swung his blade. Bakusaiga now imbued with the power So'unga sliced open the sky of the underworld and Sesshoumaru wasted no time leaping through it. The chilly air of the night welcomed his return to the mortal world. He landed in a field of flowers (I know, irony) somewhere he did not know and did not care. He had her back. All his irritation, finally gone. To bring her back he went through hell itself. And now it was time to wake her up. The woman who in the process of reclaiming her heart, stole his. Kagura - the free wind.