Edo
Chapter I
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A/N: Sorry, I just wanted to get this idea out of my head before it disappeared. This entire thing came to me in a dream and it was so damn good. It was like watching a new series of InuYasha with a totally different storyline. Like, I could see the characters so vividly, it was amazing. Anyway, hope whoever reads this fanfic enjoys it. I don't like AU InuYasha fanfics but, meh, I'll give it a shot.
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The Edo Period.
Many would see it as a charming era. For those who knew the Edo Period too well would say that it was not charming. Not even a little. Samurai men roamed the streets of Edo day by day, seeking only blood and war, while citizens of the town starved for the rich and glory of the arts. The entire city; built on a class that would not matter in the many years to come.
It disgusted Sesshomaru.
He was a high-class dog demon who knew his rank would not be upper handed by mere humans. Demons were and always will be higher rank than them.
The long haired man sat staring down at the city below from a hidden tower. He curiously overlooked the entire group of people passing by, wondering if any of them knew the presence of a demon was not too far from them.
The fools. They feared demons still. Edo was infested with them. It was so easy to fool humans into thinking that you are a human, when you are not.
It was exactly what Sesshomaru had done. This was the only way to get by without having a human blow your cover every single time.
To be more clear about the back story behind this; Sesshomaru and many other demons had been around long before Edo had been built and created. He watched as land after land became more of a human infested world, and painfully so. Humans became much more braver and increased in numbers, fending off demons and never giving them a moments peace. Because of this, Sesshomaru was forced to conceal himself.
He was reluctant at first, though as he began to assimilate the lives of humans, he realized how easy it was and much more peaceful it seemed to let humans believe they had the entire world to themselves. This was a whole lot better than being pestered every day by humans.
"Lord Sesshomaru," the green imp bowed as he approached his master, "Young Rin is awake now."
Sesshomaru turned his golden eyes to the imp, testing him silently.
Jaken; the green imp who placed it upon himself to follow Sesshomaru until the end of his days. He was always of use to him.
Jaken was disguised from time to time as well.
"Did you wake her at all?"
"No, my lord. She awoke herself."
Sesshomaru sighed softly.
Naturally, he took it upon himself to keep the young child from following him into the streets of Edo. He comprehended the fact that danger was everywhere in this disgusting city.
Sesshomaru did not ever want to see Rin back in that horrible place known as the pleasure district. Yes, the pleasure district.
Fortunately, the child never worked there nor experienced the harsh reality of it, but would have if he had not arrived in time. He met young Rin just after he had lost a fight with his younger brother, a little scuffle over a sword he had longed to inherit from his late father. It seemed like fate. The child was there, filthy and lost, doing her best to care for the demon each day. Only, one day, she had come beaten and much more of a mess than usual. Sesshomaru never cared much for humans, but pitied the child nonetheless.
What drew the line was watching her be drifted away by slave traders, into the pleasure district, where she was chased by horrid men that could haunt any child's nightmares. Luckily, Sesshomaru had come in time.
"Lord Sesshomaru,"
The demon turned around.
Standing at the first step of the long ladder to the tower rooftop was the young eight year old child, rubbing her eyes innocently at him. "Are you leaving tonight?"
Sesshomaru did not show any expression to her as usual. The poor child. She knew him very well.
"I am, but you will stay here with Jaken."
"Master Jaken. . .?" Rin looked to the imp questioningly, who only turned away in annoyance. It was clear he did not want to babysit the girl again. He longed for the days he'd take midnight strolls down the streets of Edo, taking in the sights and seeing what was new. This benefit Sesshomaru from time to time, having Jaken disguise himself as a begger so Rin would not have to steal food.
Sometimes, Sesshomaru wished that she would be more human, less demon.
"Go away, child. You pester us both." Jaken finally said.
Rin responded with a taunting expression before jumping back down inside the tower again.
"I'll return soon. There's something I want to see."
Jaken turned his head upwards to see his master tying his silver hair up into a ponytail, then adjusting a strange straw hat over his head, just enough to shadow his face from allowing anyone to see the purple stripes across his cheeks. He wore his usual attire; the rich kimono with red designs, yellow sash tied around his white hakama, the strange armor and cauldron, and a long fur draped over his left shoulder. It was simple to pass off as a skilled samurai in this town. Although, here and there, he would just wear his kimono and hakama to be more simple, even though it was not of his liking.
"Mi'lord, you do not refer to the district further up-"
"I do."
"That. . . man. . . that man who runs it will recognize you, will he not?"
"He will not." Sesshomaru gave a dark smile. "I will kill him if he dares to see through my disguise."
"I detest that man. He has done nothing but threaten you, mi'lord. He mocks you, and uses you. I hope he gets what's coming to him." Jaken said, crossing his arms.
The dog demon chuckled. "He will. But I must see why this bar is such a big talk of the town." the demon lurched from the tower quickly before Jaken could even protest.
In an instant, the demon was a mere blur in the darkness, but became one with the citizens below. Jaken watched on worriedly before heading back inside the tower.
His master was ruthless for a reason. And Sesshomaru's interest in Shimabara of Kyoto was clear, he had business there.