PLEASE READ!! This is a story about Sesshoumaru after the final chapter of the manga. If you have not read the entire manga yet there may be some spoilers or confusion here… If you want to read the whole manga I would suggest www dot onemanga dot kom(trying to get around the filter) a great site providing the manga from start to finish! There's a lot of other good manga at onemanga!
A few key words that will be used throughout the story may not be familiar. Ningyou are puppets or dolls. Ningyou Tsukai is a puppet master or puppeteer. Youkai are demons. Youki is demonic aura. Yakiniku is grilled meat. Yakisakana is grilled fish. Hanyou is a half demon. There are also a couple of techniques that one of my main characters (not an original Inuyasha character) uses. Kaze no kata, is a move that sends blades that look similar to chopped of machetes at the opponent. Kaze means wind. Kata is a type of Japanese weapon. There is also the karai no shuriken, which is a great storm of throwing stars. Karai means cyclone/lightning storm. Shuriken, as most readers probably know are a throwing star, the true translation of shuriken is actually "sword hidden in the hand". Or something like that…
Now with Naraku dead and out of his way, Sesshoumaru was free to return to building his empire. Rin was now safely away in a human village with the Lady Kaede so he didn't need to be concerned, though he still visited her to bring gifts for Rin. They would always have a special bond. "Lord Sesshoumaru, your empire should be built in no time now that Naraku is gone!" Jaken said spiritedly. "Jaken, you should realize that even though Naraku is dead another will surface in his place… The balance is eternal," Sesshoumaru said calmly. "But you will be able to slay them easily with the Bakusaiga! Besides, the shikon no tama is no longer in existence so there won't be anyone as troublesome as Naraku was," Jaken replied. Sesshoumaru didn't respond and simply kept walking. "Wait for me my Lord!!" Jaken yelled, running after Sesshoumaru.
After some time meandering about the forests Sesshoumaru ran into a group of strange youkai, the likes of which he had never seen nor heard of. What are these creatures? They have a Youkai scent, but yet they just look like poorly stitched together ningyou… he wondered to himself. Sesshoumaru stood unwavering and emotionless waiting to see what these youkai would do. "Oh look it's a dog! I think we should have inu yakiniku tonight for dinner!" one said while staring at Sesshoumaru. "You think you can kill the likes of Lord Sesshoumaru?! You idiots!" Jaken yelled from behind Sesshoumaru. "Oh, The Lord Sesshoumaru huh? This is the youkai we've heard about, the one that grew back his arm and has that sword Bakusaiga," another said. "That is indeed my Lord!! You should cower in fear and bow before him!!" Jaken said still in his hiding place. "Jaken, silence," Sesshoumaru said. "Do you wish to fight?" Sesshoumaru asked calmly his hand on the hilt of his Bakusaiga.
"He's ready to fight! Do you feel that aura?? It's amazing! I can't wait to taste his flesh!" the leader said. So they all drew their weapons and headed toward him. Sesshoumaru drew the Bakusaiga and started at them. Strangely though no matter how many times he swung at them it didn't make their bodies unable to regenerate like Naraku's had… It was as though they really were ningyous; their bodies spewed a sand-like substance with every cut. Then two of them began to merge after they were cut badly and they became a larger ningyou. They came in close to Sesshoumaru and as he stabbed into their flesh one of them got a slice into Sesshoumaru's side. The sand that was spewing from their bodies started moving toward his wound. It was a scentless poison. Sesshoumaru could feel the poison beginning to seep into his bloodstream but that didn't stop him. He kept slicing and hacking away at them until he could no longer stand. Then suddenly a wind came…
"Who are you to battle in my forest!?" a voice yelled from the sky. The winds became fiercer. There was a great angry aura within the wind. The ningyou-like creatures looked up and saw a giant Falcon. "It's… her…we must flee!!" said the leader and they ran off in terror. After they had gone the Falcon landed in front of Sesshoumaru who was badly wounded. "You won't take my Lord!! I will not allow it!" Jaken yelled point the staff of two heads at the bird. "Calm down pipsqueak," the Falcon said returning to a human-like form. She was a lovely woman with long brown and crème colored hair the same color as her feathers in her youkai form. "Your master is injured seriously… What you need is a serum for this poison… Or he will die," she said and began to walk off. "WAIT!!" Jaken screamed running after her. "Where would I find such a serum?? What were those things?! How do you know he is poisoned??" Jaken said. "You really are a fool aren't you? There is a human village not too far from here. The priestess there should be able to heal your master… But you need to get him there quickly.. I can see the poison spreading within him…" she replied and began to walk away again.
"What….What is your name?" Sesshoumaru said quietly barely able to lift his head. She looked back at him, it was then she realized who he was the great Sesshoumaru, slayer of Naraku, he was the great dog youkai lord and more importantly he had slain the horrible Eagle youkai that killed her mother and many of her friends. "It..It's you! Sesshoumaru… My name is Sakura my Lord…" she said bowing her head to him. Jaken stood baffled at why her attitude had changed. "You are a Falcon youkai, are you not?.." Sesshoumaru said. "Yes, my Lord… That is correct," she replied. "I see…" he said remembering the time that he slain the Eagle youkai Kazukayo, he looked at her, she was much younger when he had slain Kazukayo, yet she was eternally grateful to Sesshoumaru. "My Lord, we must get you to the nearby village, I know a priestess there, and she will be able to heal you!" Sakura said going toward Sesshoumaru. As stubborn as ever, Sesshoumaru pushed her away not wanting to receive help from mere humans. "Please my Lord, I swear to you.. The Lady Kaede will be able to heal you!" she said. "Kaede….Rin…" Sesshoumaru mumbled and then fell unconscious. "Oh no!! Is it too late?!" Jaken yelled tears welling in his big eyes. "No, it's not too late, I will fly him to the priestess and he will be saved!" Sakura said confidently.
Sakura hoisted Sesshoumaru onto her back and transformed into her youkai form. "Hold on Lord Sesshoumaru! Just..Hold on!" she said spreading her wings about to take off. "Hey!! Wait for me!!" Jaken yelled grabbing on to Sakura's tail feathers. Sakura's speed was astounding; in no time at all they made it to Kaede's village.
"Lady Kaede!! Kaede!!" Sakura yelled looking around. Then a group came out from the nearby shrine, a young woman, a hanyou, a priest and a taijiya. "What the hell? Who the hell are you and what'd you do to Sesshoumaru??" the hanyou yelled. "What's happened to Sesshoumaru?" the young woman asked. "Shut your mouth hanyou, I am not here for you! Besides what would either of you know of Lord Sesshoumaru?" she said staring angrily at him, as she did she realized, this hanyou is Sesshoumaru's brother. "Where is Lady Kaede??" Sakura said with slight worry in her voice. "She's off picking medicinal herbs right now. Why are you in such a hurry, Sesshoumaru will heal up no problem in a little while, he always does," the hanyou said. "You moron! He is poisoned! I need lady Kaede to heal him!" Sakura yelled. "Poison? You're the idiot here… He doesn't smell of poison at all!" the hanyou said. "Inuyasha! Stop fighting with her! If what she says is true then we need to purify the poison. Bring him here Miss, I will help you," the young woman said. "You? You are… Wait, are you Kikyo's successor that I have heard stories of? I can see a great spiritual power emanating from you" Sakura said. "Um, I guess… My name's Kagome," she said. "Priestess Kikyo was truly strong; I am putting Lord Sesshoumaru's life in your hands. However, should anything happen to him… I will kill you," Sakura said seriously. "You'll have to deal with me first!" Inuyasha said his hand resting on Tessaiga. "Inuyasha, owasuri!" Just then a young girl emerged from the shrine. "Lord Sesshoumaru!!" she yelled running over to Sesshoumaru. "Rin, I will be fine," Sesshoumaru said quietly regaining consciousness for a moment.
After all the commotion they brought Sesshoumaru in to the shrine to start healing him. Sakura watched tentatively every move Kagome made. "Just one more thing and the poison should be subsided," Kagome said reaching for a stone. It was all black and had a strange aura about it. Sakura grasped Kagome's arm. "What is that thing?" she said eyeing it cautiously. "It's the poison stone," Kagome said. "What do you intend to do with a poison stone?? Won't that make it worse?" she said. "Hey miss lady, please calm down, it's okay. She's helping Lord Sesshoumaru, don't worry!" Rin said as she softly took Sakura's hand. "Very well child, I can see that you truly care for Lord Sesshoumaru," she said. Rin smiled and kept holding Sakura's hand.
They watched as Kagome placed the stone on Sesshoumaru's wound. It began to glow red and seemed to be sucking the poison from Sesshoumaru's body. "You see now? He'll be okay. By the way, what is your name?" Kagome said. "I am Sakura the Falcon," she replied. "Well Sakura, while he'll be fine soon, he will need to rest over night so he can be fully healed. Why don't you stay with us until he is better?" Kagome said. "Yeah, I wanna ask you some questions anyhow.." Inuyasha said gruffly. "Inuyasha…." Kagome said about to use the owasuri. "What, I just want to ask the chicken some questions…" Inuyasha replied. "CHICKEN? Did you just say…Chicken?!" Sakura yelled her eyes turning red with anger. "Yeah, you reek of chicken…" Inuyasha said. Just as Sakura was about to go after Inuyasha Kaede entered the shrine. "No fighting in the shrine you two!" Kaede scolded them both. "So, Sakura… It's been some time now. Still as hot-headed as ever I see," Kaede said. "Lady Kaede…" Sakura said. "What the hell?! What on earth is going on here?" Inuyasha yelled. "Owasuri," Kagome said. "What was that for?" Inuyasha said from the floor. "This isn't the time for fighting Inuyasha," Kagome said. "By the way, Sakura," Kagome started to say then looked back to find her and Kaede gone.
"Sakura, what happened to Sesshoumaru?" Kaede asked. "It's those ningyou youkai… Their insides are poison. I don't even think they're actually alive… When I look at them… There's no true aura around them they just have a slight youkai smell… I have to find out what is controlling them; I need to find the Ningyou Tsukai." Sakura replied. "Were they still in fear of you?" Kaede asked. "Yes, that was how I was able to save Lord Sesshoumaru," Sakura replied. "Well, if the ningyou are truly neither of this world nor the next, the only one who may be able to help you is… Inuyasha," Kaede said. "That mutt? The hanyou?? He couldn't help anyone… He's just a big talker," Sakura said getting angry. "Sakura… he has the Tessaiga this was the weapon of Inu no Taisho. Inuyasha is strong, despite what you may think of him," Kaede said. "Hmph.. I have to go check on Lord Sesshoumaru," Sakura said walking back to the shrine. Kaede simply shook her head and followed back knowing that there would probably be a confrontation between Sakura and Inuyasha.
Sakura entered the shrine quietly and saw Sesshoumaru now awake. "Oh you're back!" Rin said grabbing her hand and bringing her over to Sesshoumaru. "How do you feel Lord Sesshoumaru?" Sakura asked quietly. "I am fine Sakura. I will be leaving soon," he said. "My Lord, you mustn't move, at least for one night. You are still healing," Sakura said. "I will find those ningyou… And destroy them," he said trying to get up. "No! I won't allow you to throw your life away! You need to rest!" Sakura said her hands open toward him pushing wind that forced him to lie down. "Sakura… Listen closely," Sesshoumaru said motioning her to him. She drew close to him. "I will stay this night, but in the morning, I leave at first light. Follow me if you wish," he said in a whisper. She merely bowed her head in understanding not saying a word, then Sesshoumaru fell back to sleep.
"Your name is Sakura right?" Rin said. "Yes… and you, you are Rin?" Sakura replied. "Yes, that's me! You are pretty just like your name," Rin told her. Sakura said nothing. "So, Chicken, what happened in the forest? Sesshoumaru mentioned something of ningyou?" Inuyasha said. "Listen Mutt, I do not have to answer your questions. Besides, there is no way you could possibly be able to do anything about this," Sakura said, the words Kaede spoke kept running through her head, if the ningyou are truly neither of this world nor the next, the only one who may be able to help you is, Inuyasha. That crazy old woman how could she possibly think he could help… "Hold on now Miss, you may be surprised but we battled Naraku. I'm certain we will be able to assist you," the monk from earlier said. "Ha, don't try to make a fool of me. I know Naraku died by Sesshoumaru's hand," Sakura said. "What?! Are you daft? Kagome's the one that killed him you fool!" Inuyasha said. So it's true what the rumors say about her power… "I don't have time for this. I must go," Sakura said walking out. "But what about Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked. "I will return later on. Right now I need to do some things," Sakura said. "Please be careful Miss Sakura! I'll watch over Lord Sesshoumaru until your return!" Rin said with a soft smile. Sakura nodded and as soon as she walked out of the shrine transformed to her youkai form.
Where the hell did those ningyou come from… I've never seen them or anything like them before… They're similar to Naraku's incarnations but they don't smell like a particular youkai. What does this mean… I know he can't come back from the dead, but who has taken his place? Why all of the sudden have these ningyou come around? It all seems too convenient… Someone is using a technique similar to his… What a coward. All these thoughts flew through Sakura's mind as she surveyed the forest trying to find the ningyou. They were difficult to track they didn't leave behind any defining scent and though her sight was magnificent she couldn't find them anywhere. This is hopeless… I should get back to Lord Sesshoumaru…
She quickly turned back and it was at that point she noticed it… "There you are! You bastards!" she yelled out finally finding the ningyou's hiding place. She dove toward them ready to take them down. "I'll kill you all!!" she yelled her youki was incredibly strong. As soon as she got to them they all slumped as if they had been discarded. What is this? Why is the Ningyou Tsukai afraid of me? Why won't they simply face me?? "Where ever you are you coward, I will destroy you!" she yelled.
She got back to the village and Inuyasha was there waiting. "So what did you run off for earlier? You scared to fight me?" Inuyasha smirked. "Scared, of you? Don't make me laugh!" she balked. "Just what did happen to Sesshoumaru anyhow?" Inuyasha asked. "If he wants you to know, he will tell you," she replied and walked away. "Hey! I'm talking to you!" Inuyasha said running after her. Just as he was about to reach her she put her hand back and the wind blew Inuyasha on his back. "Do not speak to me," she said and kept walking.
When she got inside, there was Rin as promised she stayed right by his side. She looked up at Sakura and smiled. "How is he doing Rin?" Sakura asked, though what she really was curious about was how the two, Rin and Sesshoumaru knew each other. "He's been sleeping very soundly," Rin said happily. "That's good. I think we should probably get something to eat, don't you?" Sakura said. She started to understand. Looking at this young girl, she could see that they had a special bond that Sesshoumaru had taken care of this girl. She was so sweet and kind; one almost couldn't help but to like her. "What about Lord Sesshoumaru?" Rin said. "I think we should let him rest quietly," Sakura said and began walking outside. Rin followed closely after her. The night was beginning to fall and Sakura could smell something delicious coming from the house right next to the shrine. "Oh! Do you smell that? I think Kagome is making dinner!" Rin said excitedly and took Sakura's hand pulling her toward the house. "I… I don't know that I should impose on her in such a way," Sakura said. "Don't worry, she said you should stay right?" Rin said and took her inside. "Hi you two," Kagome said with a smile, "dinner will be ready soon so just be patient okay?" Sakura nodded and sat down. "And so that is why I believe that only you and Tessaiga will be able to destroy those ningyou…." Sakura heard Kaede talking to Inuyasha. Sakura looked in the direction of the voice and saw them walking in to the room. "Oh hi Chicken," Inuyasha said. "Evening Mutt," she replied not wanting to ruin dinner, they could fight another time as she had a feeling she would be seeing a lot more of him.
"Alright! It's ready everyone!" Kagome said as she brought out the platters of food. "Oh wow, this looks wonderful Kagome," the taijiya Sango said. "Itadakimasu!" everyone said in unison. "Thank you, Kagome," Sakura said quietly. "Wow, she has manners…" Inuyasha mumbled. "Inuyasha…" Kagome grumbled. "What?? I'm already sitting!" Inuyasha said slightly afraid. "So, you're going after some youkai ningyou eh?" Inuyasha said to Sakura as he stuffed his face. "Disgusting… Are you sure he's not a pig-hanyou Kaede?" Sakura said. Everyone laughed. The mood seemed to settle between them and they all talked late into the night about the things that have been happening since the group had no longer been really battling since it seemed unnecessary with Naraku gone. They learned of the ningyou and how the youkai of the forests have been becoming poisoned by them.
When the evening came to an end Sakura went back outside and stared at the stars. What is this feeling… I'm calm… Even with all that is going on, in this moment, I'm content here… Is it possibly Kagome's spiritual power? "Hey Sakura," it was Inuyasha. "What," she said not looking at him. "What is your attachment to Sesshoumaru?" he asked curiously. "None of your business, that's what it is," she replied. "You know you don't always have to be so cold," he told her. "I can be whatever I want," she said nonchalantly. "You're a real pain to talk to you know?" Inuyasha said. "You're a pain to look at…" she replied. "Oh that's it… You are impossible! Are you looking for a fight or something?" he said standing up. "No, I'm just answering honestly," she replied. "Will you let us help you? To fight these ningyou?" he said. "No," she said plainly. "What? Why not? I know we're powerful enough to be able to defeat anything!" he said. "Listen well Inuyasha, for I will only say this once," she started, "you have a good life here. You and Kagome… The monk and that taijiya woman… This place is peaceful. You needn't put yourselves in harm's way… Stay here; live out your lives in peace. One epic battle was enough. Besides, you have something special on the way to you," she said and slightly smiled. "What do you mean something special?" he asked. "Oh, you don't know? Well I won't ruin the surprise for you," she said and got up to go. "You have to tell me!" Inuyasha said pleading, he hated not knowing things. "Oh you silly mutt, you'll find out in about 7 months or so…" she said. He had no clue what she was talking about. That Kagome was already 2 months pregnant with his child.
She walked into where Sesshoumaru was sleeping and found the little youkai Jaken sleeping soundly. She sat and watched them sleeping. They looked so peaceful. She didn't look forward to what awaited them. "You look worried, Sakura," Sesshoumaru whispered. She was surprised, was he awake the whole time I was watching them? "I'm fine," she said averting her eyes as she wasn't sure if he'd caught her watching him. "You should sleep, there is a long journey ahead," he said. She nodded and lay down.