Author's Note: I do not own Inuyasha.
Chapter 1- Demon Slayer
Twirling a leaf in her hand, Rin looked at the surface of the lake. The water sparkled with the sun falling directly on its surface. Wind blew across her face, causing the strands of her braided hair to sway. Under the heat of the sun, her body began to perspire. She shifted her weight from one leg to another as they cramped up.
Suddenly, the water's surface began to stir. Dropping the leaf, Rin drew and arrow from her quiver. With the arrow ready to load, she hunched behind a bush. A drop of sweat rolled down her neck and onto her demon slayer armor.
Suddenly, the silver scaled water serpent leaped from the lake, water droplets splashing everywhere. His red eyes looked around. Slowly, Rin loaded her bow. She took a deliberate second and aimed at the flesh beneath the mouth. Then she let the arrow loose.
It hit the mark, making the serpent roar in pain. His eyes fell onto her bush. He opened his mouth, a great blast of steam shooting at her.
Quick on her feet, Rin ran from the bush. The plants melted at the touch of the steam. A whiff of the aroma made Rin reach for her mask. She secured it over her mouth and nose before breathing in the noxious fumes of the demon's breath.
The beast spotted her. Another blast came at her. Rin leaped up into the air. On her decent, she fire another arrow at the serpent. This caused him to roar even more furiously than before.
Suddenly, the scales on his body began to shift. They transformed into sharp spears. He turned, throwing his body at her. As he did, the spears launched in all directions.
One hit her in the stomach. The red, leather cuirass over her armor took the worst of the blow. She only felt a slight prick from the pointed end of the scale.
"Foolish human!" the serpent shouted, "You dare attack me in my domain?"
Rin responded by shooting another arrow at him.
The beast roared again. He launched his body at her. Rin backed up. He hit the shore, putting an indent in the land. Again, she shot at his neck. The demon grumbled. She backed up further.
"You cannot escape!" the serpent declared.
With her arrow ready to load, Rin began to run for the trees.
The air began to shift. The sheer power of the demonic aura seemed to shrink. Glancing over her shoulder, Rin noticed the serpent transforming into a humanoid. His armor made from silver scales, his hair as white as snow, and his eyes blood red with bloodlust. He ran after her.
"You cannot outrun a demon!" he declared.
Throwing a poison pellet at the demon, Rin ducked behind a tree trunk. Heart pounding, she waited as the demon flailed to get the poison out of his eyes. Hunched down to avoid his sight, she began to creep away.
Then he appeared before her. Rin looked up into his glowing red eyes.
"Mercy," she pleaded.
His eyes narrowed in disgust.
The demon extended his hand. The scales from his armor shifted over his arm to his hand. They formed a makeshift blade. He moved to thrust it at her head.
Rin grabbed the spear at the base of a bush and thrust it into the demon's neck. He coughed blood up. Rin pressed forward, pushing the spear further in.
"Wench!" the demon cursed, "I am a Daiyokai. I cannot be bested by a human woman!"
Drawing her sword, Rin slashed into his neck. The cut hacked part of his neck off. It took two more hacks to remove the demon's head.
"I curse-" the head began to speak.
Rin stuck a sutra on his mouth before he could finish the curse.
Sticking her finger in her mouth, Rin whistled. Ah-Un came flying over the trees, landing in front of her. Rin grabbed the demon's body and loaded him onto Ah-Un's back. Then she climbed on the two-headed demon's back and took off into the sky.
…
Yokaioza sat atop a large hill in the shadow of Mount Haku. The outer city surrounded Tsukikage castle. Stone walls separated the castle grounds from the city with four story towers guarding each corner of the castle. The outer walls had carvings of dragons, dogs, and other yokai carved into them in such detail that they seemed to come to life. The largest building stood six stories high in the northern section of the grounds. The red tiled roof seemed to touch the sky itself as one looked up to view the dog statues on each corner of the roofs.
Every building wall was made of white stone, some stood up to three stories high, each in a part of the castle grounds. The western buildings were for the personal use of Sesshomaru and his household. His own buildings were closed off by high walls, guarded day and night. Entry to his apartments was strictly regulated. Entry without permission was punishable by death.
The eastern grounds were reserved for the leisure and residence of the demon nobles and officials that did their business at the castle. Private gardens sprawled over the grounds, maintained to the finest standards.
The southern section of the castle was the common grounds. Visiting demons and servants commuted through the public gardens. Servants kept residence in their small, but comfortable quarters. The quarters themselves were a city within a city itself. They even had a headman to maintain order within the community.
Rin flew over the river that flowed through the castle grounds. The two headed demon landed softly on grounds within the southern gardens. She climbed off Ah-Un and removed his saddle. The beast rumbled gratefully and laid down to sleep under the Sakura trees.
"Rin, you're back!" a small voice called.
"Hello, Jun," Rin smiled.
A small fax demon leapt up onto her shoulder. He smelled the bag she carried into her quarters.
"What did you kill this time?" he asked, "It smells like fish."
"An old crab demon," Rin laid out a pair of claws.
"Are you gonna eat that?"
"No, it's poisonous to me like this," Rin replied.
"Can I eat it?"
"No. I'm going to extract the poisons for arrows."
"Oh. Okay!" the fox smiled.
"Jun! Jun," an older female fox demon ran into Rin's home, "I'm sorry Miss Rin, has he been causing trouble?"
"Not at all, Emi," she replied.
"Hooo... Those are crab claws... I'll give you twenty each for them."
"They aren't for sale," Rin replied, putting the claws away.
"Come dear, you have to give me something to work with. I have to support my son on my business. It's been so hard since his father passed away."
A tear came to her eye.
"You give me that line every time," Rin replied, "Don't you have anything fresh?"
"Hmm... You heartless human."
"Greedy fox."
"Things have been so boring without you, Rin! But there is a bit of gossip I have to share with you. Lady Inukimi has come for a visit!"
"Lord Sesshomaru's mother?" Rin asked.
"Yes! She has not been to this castle in two hundred years! Not since the half-demon was born. Such a time this is. The palace is overflowing with activity."
As Rin listened, a female cat dressed in a rich kimono came into Rin's room.
"Rin, you have been summoned," the cat said.
"By who?" Rin asked.
"By Lady Inukimi."
"Oh. Please give me a few moments to-"
"Lady Inukimi wishes to see you right away."
"I'm afraid that I just got back from the road. I'm not dressed to greet her."
"She wished to see you right away," the cat said, "No delay is acceptable."
"Alright," Rin sighed.
It's not my fault if her nose starts bleeding from the stench of sweat, Rin thought.
The cat lead her into the inner sanctum of Sesshomaru's private quarters. Ah-Un followed Rin passed the guards onto the garden path. Grasses, flowers, and trees had been planted around the buildings to accentuate the architecture. By reflex, Rin looked up at the window of Sesshomaru's study. It had been opened to let in the fresh spring air. For a moment, Rin pictured the lord at his desk, pouring over scrolls older than himself. Thinking of his golden eyes focused on the ancient letters brought a smile to her face.
The cat stopped under a large cherry tree. Inukimi sat on a chair with two other dog demon women flanking her. One bore double stripe on her cheeks and a crescent crest on her forehead. She looked at Rin with curious eyes, scanning her from head to toe. Her hair fell down her back in perfect braids while her colored lips gave Rin a cold smile. The other woman looked at Rin with curiosity as well, but her eyes held a sparkle of innocence. She bore only a single stripe on her cheeks. The smile she gave Rin was genuinely warm.
"Lady Inukimi," Rin bowed to the demoness.
"It's been some time, little human," Inukimi said, "Have you used the gift I gave you well?"
"Yes, I believe I have," Rin replied.
"I see you're a demon slayer now," Inukimi looked at her armor, "No doubt you're of use to my son."
"Lord Sesshomaru has found many uses for my skill."
"You even live here, at the palace?"
"My duties to him often take me away. I have yet to reside here longer than a week."
"Do you travel with my son?"
"Occasionally."
"And do you remain a mere... pet of his?"
"Yes, my lady."
Inukimi's eyes widened for a moment.
"You reply unabashed," Inukimi said, "Do the demons here treat you well?"
"For demons, they have been very civil."
"For demons?"
"Considering that I am a human demon slayer."
"Yes, I suppose that would make many wary of you."
"They know I serve Lord Sesshomaru."
"Are you sure you would not be more content at that human village?"
"I am quite content here, my lady."
"Even if you are the only human who lives on castle grounds?"
"Even so."
"Has my son ever summoned you?"
"Rarely."
"To his chambers?"
Rin's face began to burn red.
"No need to be ashamed," Inukimi smiled in amusement, "My husband also shared a fondness for humans."
"I have only been to his study!" Rin said, "He sometimes gives me messages to deliver to human officials."
"That's all?"
"That's all."
"How boring," Inukimi looked disappointed, "I suppose I misread my son's intentions when he brought you here."
"His intentions? My lady, I came here to serve him."
"Out of loyalty to Sesshomaru?"
"Well... I would have been happy in Edo. But I get restless if I stay in one place for too long. I became a demon slayer so I could travel more often. I choose to be in Lord Sesshomaru's service because it is a much more interesting life."
"And far more dangerous."
"That too. But I like to help people. And I like to see new places."
"So there's no other reason for you being here?"
"Not really."
"Huh," Inukimi sighed, "Go on back to your duties then."
Rin nodded and turned to leave.
…
Outside Yokaioza, Sesshomaru enjoyed the peace of the woods. He glanced up at the moon, lost in his own thoughts.
"I thought you wanted to see me," Inukimi's voice said from behind him, "I have been at the castle for three days and you have not visited me once."
"I have been busy," Sesshomaru replied.
"Yes, yes. Your planned expansion into the north. The army is in a fury to prepare for your first march. So what did you want to see me about?"
"I am turning 500 in a few weeks time."
"Yes, it is a milestone."
"Many would say that it is time for me to take a bride."
"Hmm... Who did you have in mind?"
"No one."
"No one?" Inukimi looked at him in shock, "What about that human of yours?"
Sesshomaru glanced at her incredulously.
"Even if that was my intent, Rin would not be accepted. Nor would her child."
"Yes, but... You harbor no feelings for that human?"
"Mother, what are getting at? That I have feelings for a mere mortal? Ridiculous."
"You have feelings. You went to Hell for her, did you not?"
"Those feelings are not what you would call 'love'. I protect her. She is... was my ward. No more than that."
"Then why did you bring her here?"
"She wished to come."
"Doesn't that make you happy?"
"I find her company pleasing. And she is of use to me."
"Is that why you used to go to her village four times every year? So she would be of use to you?"
"I looked in on her well being."
"Yes. She's certainly grown into a pretty thing. Don't tell me you haven't noticed that."
"Mother, are you attempting to match me with Rin? A human?"
"Even if I meant to, you would never accept any match I made for you."
"That is why you are here."
"Eh?" Inukimi looked at her son in surprise again.
"I wish to take a bride. It is time to for me to have an heir of my own."
"An arranged marriage? Are you certain?"
"You will find a suitable candidate?"
"Sesshomaru, I had assumed you would find your own wife. You recall that my marriage with your father was not... ideal in its last days."
"That does concern my marriage."
"Your father and I were affectionate towards each other for the first century. But before you were born, the tension between us began to fester. I had not produced an heir. Your father was patient, but there was a strain on our relationship. Finally, you came into our lives. But I grew bored with him."
"I am aware that you took on lovers."
"Dracon for one. Long before he married Himeryuu, of course. I remember your father's face when he found out. I thought their friendship would end that day."
"Your point?"
"I wasn't happy, Sesshomaru. Neither was your father. He wasn't happy until he met that human woman. When he fell in love with her... Well, you remember the transformation he went through. It was as if he had rediscovered the joy in life. Did I ever tell you that he came to ask my permission before he married Izayoi?"
"You did not. You consented?"
"It stung me in more than one way to be set aside for another woman. He had remained honorable during our marriage. He never took a concubine or another wife, as was his right. And I had betrayed him more times than I recall. I couldn't refuse him, Sesshomaru. I lost to him in honor. How could I refuse after he showed me how disgusting I was?"
"And why did you not divorce him?"
"Your claim to rule the Western Lands would have been weakened. Did you think I wanted you to lose your right? You are my son, and your happiness matters to me. That is why I don't want you to enter an arranged marriage. You should find the woman who makes you happy."
"My happiness is the expansion of my empire. I need an heir, Mother. I need one of my own blood to aid my rule."
"Very well. I will find you a bride. Too bad Hikari was snatched by Osumo. Must they be a dog demon?"
"A Daiyokai of any sort."
"Too bad Dracon's heir is male. He would be your ideal match. How about his younger sister?"
"Someone of greater power."
"I see," she nodded, "I have a few ideas then. How soon do you wish to be married?"
"Before winter."
"You wish to spend the snowy months conceiving an heir?"
"Goodnight, Mother," Sesshomaru flew into the sky.
"Well, little human, you have eight months to convince my son to reverse his idiocy," Inukimi muttered, "Inu no Taisho, how did you ever manage to tell that boy anything?"
The trees refused to answer her.
"I've stood back for five hundred years and let time take its course," Inukimi said, "But perhaps it is time to give those two a little help, neh?"
She looked up at the moon and smiled.
…
A/N: Merry Christmas everybody! Here is a brand new fan fiction for everyone to enjoy. This is a standalone story, not related to Transcendence.
A brief historical note: It used to be normal for Japanese noblemen to take on multiple wives. In this case, I made Inukimi is Inu no Taisho's frist wife. Izayoi was his second wife, making Inuyasha a legitimate heir to Inu no Tiasho's lands and title.
Please do not look too close at my fiction for historical accuracy. I am going on a lot of assumptions and my research has consisted of You Tube videos and a book on Feudal Japan that I only got to page 20 on. Anyway, I am thinking that this story takes place at about the same time the Tutors are in power over in England. (Henry VIII, Edward I, Mary I, Elizabeth I and so on.) The 1500s or so. A blog I read placed the anime in about the mid 1500s, so I am going off that.
Anyway, please enjoy!