Dungeons and Demons
Prologue: Avoiding War
Prince Sesshomaru strode gracefully through the elaborate halls of the Western Castle. His pure, hard golden eyes glinted coldly in the light of the torches along the walls. His silvery white hair shimmered as it swayed over his back down past his hips. The magenta stripes on his cheeks and the purple crescent moon on his forehead shifted in color in the shadows to the torchlight.
He came to a stop with a soft swish of silk in front of a pair of large, double-oak doors that were engraved with the images of two, rearing dog demons in their true form. Carvings of lightning and clouds ran through their fur and figures of vanquished foes lay still forever crushed beneath their feet and claws. The two guards who stood stiffly to attention were ignored; his porcelain face remained impassive as he pushed the door on the right open and slid in.
He walked forward over soft carpeting of furs. The offices' walls were covered with ten foot, dark oak wood bookcases, filled with yellowed scrolls and old books. At the end was a large, skillfully made marble and wooden desk, and was also littered with papers. Several cushioned chairs and a lounging sofa were seated in front on the desk and to the side of it. Behind the desk, a large leather chair, which was unoccupied; beyond it, at the large window that took up the entire back wall, stood a tall demon.
Sesshomaru halted several paces from the desk. He addressed the demon in an emotionless and indifferent tone.
"Father, you wished to speak to me."
The door behind him opened again. He didn't turn around to acknowledge the person who had just entered the room. The sent of the half-demon came unwelcomed into his nose.
"What business do you have here, half-breed?" he spat out.
Inuyasha's white dog ears stood stiffly on top of his head as he snapped back.
"Keh! My own. You're not the only one who's entitled to see the old man. I don't need your permission."
Sesshomaru turned and both of them glared at each other for a second before their father interrupted.
"That's enough." He faced them, his golden eyes were set in a darker complexion than Sesshomaru's, with a single jagged purple line tracing down each cheek and a blue, crescent moon on his forehead. His silvery white hair was pulled up into a high pony tail; even so, it reached down to his knees. He turned towards Sesshomaru.
"Don't yell at your brother. I called him here as well."
Sesshomaru looked away from Inuyasha and looked at his father.
"Half-brother." He gritted out.
Inutashio sighed, but started addressing his sons.
"I called you both here because there is a matter of security of our land."
Sesshomaru almost snorted. Keyword, almost. "There are fools who wish to end heir lives by challenging us?"
King Inutashio shook his head. "No. But there is trouble within our lands. The humans and demons are not co-existing peacefully of late. There have been several 'incidents' in which each side says that the other attacked first. Similar situations are happening in the other kingdoms, as well."
The prince merely blinked. "If the other kingdoms cannot control their own, it is none of our concern, and any who challenge our leadership will meet their end."
"It is not that simple, Sesshomaru," said the older demon. "It is rapidly getting worse and we could be facing civil unrest. The fact that some of the our subjects were reported to have attacked King Shion's trading routes could have us facing a war outside of our lands." He replied. He walked away from the window and sat down at his desk.
"King Shion has written asking for an explanation, since it was an act of war. While the trade has been returned and the ones responsible for this have been punished, if word of this gets out, it will make us appear weak. The subjects of Shion's kingdom are not satisfied and want to retaliate. While he is subduing it as best that he can, Shion might be soon dealing with the same problems as we are."
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed slightly. He was becoming annoyed that his father was so concerned with the matters of a human ruler. Even though there was dark history between the West and Shion's kingdom, this didn't fully explaining what this had to do with them.
"When the problem is dealt with and the humans of Shion's kingdom are still unsatisfied and attack, they will be repelled. It is of no fault of ours if their king can not keep hold on what is his."
Inuyasha, who had been leaning on one of the bookcases to the side, listening, scoffed. "You're forgetting, asshole, technically, we struck first, and after the 'incident' five years ago, they would probably be only to happy to get back at us for opening old wounds. Even if it wasn't our fault most people don't care for the truth and will believe what they want."
Sesshomaru faced Inuyasha, annoyance turning into hatred towards his half-brother.
"And you forget your place, half-breed." Venom lacing each of his words. Inuyasha growled back at him.
"Stop it, you two!" Inutashio barked. He growled. "King Shion and I both want to avoid a war if necessary and Inuyasha is right; tensions are still tight between our lands. I have decided to form an alliance. Sesshomaru will court and marry Shion's older daughter, Kikyo, who will accept his suit. The marriage will keep our lands from attacking each other."
"But, Father!" interrupted Inuyasha. "I came here to ask you for permission to court Kikyo! I'm in love with her!"
Sesshomaru didn't know which was more absurd: the half-ling being in love or that he was being forced into arranged marriage with the human that the half-breed shared these sentimentalities with.
"If the half-breed has allowed himself to be taken in by the wench, why shouldn't he be the one to carry out this arrangement?" he asked, not bothering to hide the contempt in his voice.
The fleeting moment of shock that his half-brother had sided with him shifted into anger and Inuyasha took a threatening step towards Sesshomaru.
"How dare you call Kikyo a wench, you bastard!"
Inutashio's patience snapped and he slammed his hand on his desk. "Both of you will stop. Sesshomaru, you are my eldest and heir and so it is your duty to keep the peace of our lands and carry on your lineage. Inuyasha, I understand that you share feelings for Princess Kikyo-"
Inuyasha cut him off as he fumed at him. "You don't at all! I don't care what you say or think; I won't stand by and watch her get tied to my heartless, asshole of a half-brother!" With that he stormed out of his father's office ignoring what he said next and continued until he got to his personal chambers.
Going over to a corner by his oversized bed, he pulled a hidden lever and a panel came loose. Reaching into the secret compartment, he pulled out a small, ornate mirror. Symbols were etched around the rim and at the top, an upturned, red crescent moon cradled three white teardrops.
His blood was still heated with his anger; he gripped the mirror tightly, feeling the edges press painfully into his skin. He ground out, "Connect, already!" he commanded.
The surface of the mirror faintly glowed and shifted till the symbol at the top glowed and the mirror's surface cleared, revealing a different face than Inuyasha's.
A smooth voice came from the mirror. "Inuyasha. What has upset you so much that you would contact me with…this method of communication." It stated, plainly.
He snarled. "Upset! I've got far past that. I'm so freaking pissed enough to rip my old man's throat out!"
The person blinked; their indigo eyes calculating. "Does this have to do with the alliance treaty that my king sent to your father or with your wish to court Kikyo?" they asked.
"It's both! Your king and my father are getting her and my half-brother forced together in an arranged marriage."
The person's brow furrowed. "I knew nothing of this." Their reply was level, but tight.
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. "Well, what the frick are you going to do about it?"
The smirk on the person's face was evident in their voice. "Tell Kagome."
Inuyasha stared at the mirror, then smirked as well. "She won't take this very well, will she?"
The face in the mirror continued. "I will not be able to reveal this until your father's reply has been received here. Still, it will give me some time to get a few things prepared. King Shion is hosting a ball at his castle in three days time. Kagome, Kikyo and I will meet you then; Along with a few other friends."
Inuyasha nodded. "Just do what you have to to keep this from happening."
The figure nodded and the image in the mirror faded away.
Placing the mirror back behind the panel, Inuyasha went down towards the dojo, feeling the need to let out his pent up frustrations. He chuckled slightly, though as he though.
"The bastard won't know what hit him. This is going to be good."
SUCCESS! Another part of a story has been uploaded. And with semester finals coming up, it has been very hard find time to get this all into my computer. But who cares? It's in! And chapter one is on its way! Woo-hoo!
*I take a moment for myself, here. (Bow down, bown down,) thank you very much, I feel your love.*
Sooo...who's the mystery person in the mirror? (Does Stupid Dance in my head cause I know something that you don't. Don't hate me.) You'll just have to read the next chapter to find out.
Thank you for reading and please continue to read my stories. Hope you enjoy.
KZ (Hey! You know that I JUST noticed that the initials 'KZ' sound like 'Crazy'. Which is perfect for me!!!) Au revoir!
