Of Trials and Tribulations
Chapter One: The Dream
Ayako-sama (Wargh)
AN: No, I don't own Inuyasha, so would you please stop calling me. Yesterday alone I got four calls asking to purchase the rights from me. My name is not Rumiko Takahashi and it never will be. Well unless I decide to go and have my name changed... Or marry some guy named George.
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Sesshoumaru woke from his dream, shivering and panting from exhaustion. Rolling over, he tried to recall the last few moments of his dream, but they were already blurring in his mind. Visions of himself and several other people blurred into one, but the one thing he truly could recall was the scent of one man, a half-demon. Somehow, he knew that he was fighting this half-demon, along with several others. Faces bled together, that of a young girl in a strange green garment, bled into that of a monk. Images of a demon slayer and another half-demon also clouded his sight. Sesshoumaru snorted to himself.
'As if this Sesshoumaru would need help to deal with a weak half-demon'. Sitting up in his bed, the silk sheets caressed his skin as he slid his legs over the edge of the bed. Gaining his feet, he tightened his sash and adjusted his robe before crossing the room to his door and opening it. Striding out into, and down the hallway, Sesshoumaru grasped the handle of the door and slid it open. Making his way into the steam-filled room, Sesshoumaru began struggling out of his robe, using his one good hand to untie the sash he had just tightened moments ago. Damning his brother to the lowest depths of hell, Sesshoumaru finally gave up struggling with the knot and simply cut the sash with his claws.
Dropping his robe on the ground for a servant to retrieve later, he carefully made his way across the slippery stone floor to the edge of his bath. Lowering himself into the pool, Sesshoumaru growled as the hot water soothed the aches he had felt since he woke up. He scrubbed his long silver hair and toned body as best as he could, then sat there for a moment before he dunked his head and body completely under the water. Suspended underneath the water for a moment, Sesshoumaru opened his eyes and stared into the water looking for answers. After a moment, he rose up out of the water and drew in a deep breath. Standing naked next to his bath, water running down his sexy body, he called up a bit of his demon energy which caused a wind to blow around his body, drying him off.
Sesshoumaru quickly swiped his claws through his hair a few times, before pushing the silvery locks over his shoulder. Walking over to his clothes, he began to struggle into them. Once they were finally in place, he shrugged into his armor and awkwardly tied his sash on, securing his swords to his side. Leaving the bathing chamber, he strode down the hallway to his study where mountains of reports and messages awaited him in disarray. Once in his study, he settled onto the polished floor behind his desk and picked up the top sheet of parchment. Skimming it over, he set the report of a troublesome group of demon slayers aside to deal with later and picked up the next sheet.
Hours later, Sesshoumaru was still in his study, listening to his ancient retainer Jaken report about the situation he had been sent to handle. Annoyed by his retainer's failure to deal with something he considered easy, but showing absolutely nothing on his face, Sesshoumaru stood up and kicked Jaken's scrawny green ass out the window. Vacating his study before Jaken could return, Sesshoumaru strode down the hallway, intent only on his destination. Pausing outside an ornate door, Sesshoumaru inhaled, expecting the sweet scent of strawberries and spring rain. Instead, the rotten stench of graveyard dirt and clay invaded his nostrils. Almost gagging, Sesshoumaru flung open the door.
"What are you doing in this Sesshoumaru's mate's quarters?" He asked in a deadly voice. The vile smelling woman smiled, her raven tresses glinting in the light, and her black eyes dead.
"Why Sesshoumaru my love, I am your mate. See?" She replied as she slowly she peeled her collar away from the base of her neck, revealing a Prussian blue crescent moon. Sesshoumaru was disgusted.
"You lie wench, this Sesshoumaru would never take such a disgusting, vile corpse as his mate". The woman laughed evilly.
"Ah but you did my love, and you will".
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Sesshoumaru awoke outside, sweat coating his body and dirt all over his hands and knees.