3. Inamorata
It was as he was walking and making plans that he came upon two unusual beings standing in a clearing. An old human male spoke in soft tones to the human looking child. They were clad in strange clothing as the old man, with his long, gray beard, wore a dark, rich robe, yet carried a farmers scythe in his hand. The only other ornament was a glass jar that hung from a belt at his waist. The glass, which seemed to contain sand, was synched in the middle and framed by pieces of wood. The small, blond haired, child stood very still and listened intently to the man. Sesshoumaru offhandedly wondered if the small being was cold, as he was not wearing anything but a fondushi and a strange obi that hung from the boy's right shoulder to his left hip.
The old man made a motion to the child, pointing back to the direction Sesshoumaru came from. The child said not a word as he smiled and skipped off, his tight, golden curls bounces as he moved. He walked at a brisk pace past the demon lord without so much as a glance. Sesshoumaru couldn't help but notice that neither being carried a scent nor made a sound as they moved.
Alone in the clearing, the two beings assessed each other. After a few moments, Sesshoumaru moved forward, intent on continuing his current course. His instincts twitched with the thought that the individual in front of him was not normal, but he quickly quieted that thought. He had no desire to question anything at the moment, having had enough of strange spirits and time traveling priestesses.
"Lord Sesshoumaru... I would speak with you a moment." A soft, deep voice interrupted his thoughts.
Without stopping, Sesshoumaru gave a curt, "No." Not another word was said as the tall demon continued walking past the being and into the shades of the woods on the other side of the clearing. After another moment, he broke from the treeline into another clearing... but it wasn't. He stop to take stock of his surroundings, and gave a quick glance from the direction he came, turning back in time to see the same small boy walk past him again, same gold curls bouncing on the child's head. Sesshoumaru watched closely as the boy disappeared again into the treeline, then turned with a small growl to face the old man again. He knew the man did this, he just didn't know how or really what he did. Without another word, Sesshoumaru shot across the field, turning in mid-air to flick a green-glowing whip at the man before touching the ground in the shade of the trees. He looked into the field, expecting to see a corpse slowly disintegrating, but instead saw nothing but grass and a few rocks.
He decided the old man, or whatever he was, got the hint and proceeded to move forward, intending to review his lands in the entirety. He stopped as he broke the treeline yet again and again saw the same young boy walking quickly past him. "I tire of this game." he growled and made to reach for the small figure, only for his hand to pass through the boys pale shoulder. Again the child didn't stop as he made his way back into the woods.
With a very irritated scowl, Sesshoumaru again faced the old man. The man regarded him with little expression, but the amusement could clearly be seen in his eyes. Removing Bakusaiga from it's sheath, he charged at the man. His sword crackling with power as it cut through the air, looking to punish the being before him by removing his gray head from his shoulders. He missed. Without another moment to blink, he turned and swung the sword again where he saw his target. This time he met with resistance as the blade cracked loudly against the old man's scythe.
"If you are quite finished." The man gave a small grunt and pushed the demon a few steps away from him. Sesshoumaru growled and started to circle the being before him. The man ignored the demon's posturing as he spoke again. "Unlike Nicholas, I am not so patient boy."
This comment had Sesshoumaru raise an eyebrow. "Nicholas?" He questioned. The man gave a small huff of impatience.
"Saint Nicholas, boy... Santa Claus."
Suddenly things were beginning to click in the dog's mind. He stopped his movements directly in front of the man. Though he did not sheath his sword, he knew it was likely he could not attack the being before him and ever hope catch a strike, unless the man wanted him to. It didn't mean, though, that he wouldn't try. "You are a spirit as well?"
"Of sorts." the man answered him. "I am Father Time."
There was a moment of silence as a slight, cold breeze caused the winter grasses and dead leaves to dance around the two powerful beings. "Clause mentioned your name." Sesshoumaru answered, remembering the old man that brought gifts to his allies those months ago.
"We have an arrangement so that he may do his work." Father Time nodded.
Sesshoumaru moved his head slightly to glance back the way he came, though not removing his eyes completely from the being before him. "And the child?"
Time gave a small smile gave a non-nonchalant wave. "That was the baby New Year." At the demon lord's questioning look he continued. "He is a physical manifestation of the year. He wished to meet your inamorata, your bride."
Sesshoumaru gave a snort. "She is not mine."
The expression immediately fell from the old man's withered face. "Yes, and that is a mistake you will need to rectify, boy."
