***I do not own InuYasha or any affiliated characters***
Chapter 3
The search
Sesshomaru stood at the head of the Thames River and waited for her to notice him; his yokai unmasked trying to lure her in.
The water stirred upstream and a wave moved against the current coming his direction. As it came closer he saw her face appear below the water. Her hair a pale blond laced through with water lilies, her gown a deep green that faded into the water around her. Her translucent skin shining in the sunlight, a set of blue eyes that are too stark to be human, looking at him from under long lashes.
"Why Lord Sesshomaru I never thought you would come to see me. I have watched you closely for a while now. What do you seek here by my river?" she asked him. Looking him over with her liquid eyes, well aware that she knows more than she says. "Why so far from your native Japan?"
"If you have been watching then you already know the answer."
"I know you have a child here, I know you hide like the rest of us do, the world of man has become a threat to our kind"
He nodded slightly "We all do what we must to survive." She laughed again leaning toward him.
"I am seeking answers Lady Lucinda" he said standing back a step careful of her waves.
She smiled, laying a thin finger against her cheek "And why do you seek them here? What could a simple water nymph know?" she sighed giving a dramatic shrug.
"You know all that happens on this island, as far as your rivers reach you hear and see."
A giggle escaped her full lips as she leaned toward him, more of her body coming free of the water "That is true" She smiled coyly at him, her voice liquid and alluring, like a cool brook on a hot day. "My Lord why don't you join me in my palace? We can… talk there in private."
He stepped back again, eye brows raised "Do you think me a fool?" he demanded.
Her face dropped and a dramatic pout came to her face. "Ah well… it was worth a try. Humans are easily captured though they do die easily as well." Her eyes glistened mischievously as she looked up at him. "I suppose I should have known you were not so weak?"
"Indeed"
Gliding back a bit she scooped a handful of water and held it a moment until it stilled. Sesshomaru could feel her power flow like a small wave away from her. In her hand a mirror formed from the water. "What do you wish to know my lord?"
"There was a fire in London recently that was caused by a demon. I need to know who did it and why."
Lucinda snorted and leaned in again, resting her elbow in the water, propping up her chin and looked at him a moment before laughing again. "Lord Sesshomaru you killed the one who started the fire."
"I killed the tool used to start the fire not the one who ordered it done."
"Ah… well now that is another matter" Looking into the mirror again she watched what only her eyes can see. "They are hiding themselves very well I cannot see who they are. They have an emissary here but this island is not their base."
"Then tell me who it is that has learned to use holy arrows. Something I have not seen in several centuries and never outside of Japan."
Her brow creased in concentration as she watched the mirror. "They are called The Guild but I am blocked from seeing more without letting myself be known."
Glaring down at her he could not help wondering how much he should trust her.
She smiled at his scrutiny "I do not lie, Lord Sesshomaru, whomever it is they are aware of our existence and harbor hate and a desire to kill."
"Is there a name? A leader perhaps?"
"Ah, now that is something I could only do at great risk to myself. I am afraid you would need to offer me something for such a request"
Glaring at her again, he sighed. Not even wanting to know what she would want for payment. "The information will suffice my thanks"
She pouted again, overly dramatic and in her hand the mirror disappeared.
"My offer still stands" she said as she began to disappear below the water, as she winks at him "My home is always open to you lord Sesshomaru."
Damn nymphs.
***France***
Sesshomaru was not in a good mood. For over a year he had tried to follow the lead he had on The Guild, but had only ended up with several dead priests and monks. No matter the fight each and every one would turn to kill themselves rather than give up the information he required.
He really wished he still carried his swords, then it would be easy to simply bring them back and question them farther.
First in England and now to France, the district of Falaise seeking a long lived creature, a white lady, named the Pont d'Angot. The moonless night was dark and so he passed unnoticed to the ancient bridge seeking her.
As the reputed bridge came into view he felt her power, heavily shrouded, she watched him clearly wary. Legend said she would not respond unless bowed to, as much as he hated to bow to anyone he needed answers.
At the edge of the stonework he knelt on one knee.
"Ah... Welcome..."
Her voice was ethereal like smoke through the trees, she breathed out her words as though speaking was almost to much effort.
"I am seeking information, you are the most powerful of us in this land..."
"You wish to know..." she cut him off. "Of the ones who seek us..." It was not a question. "Rise... Last of the great... demon lords"
He stood and watched as her elusive form crossed the bridge to him. He could see through her, she was like what humans called ghosts. Formed yet wispy, fading at the edges while an invisible wind caused her hair and gown to move.
"You would court...your own death to follow such a path...great Lord."
"I am not so easily killed" He repressed his annoyance at her words, an affront to his pride.
She laughed, a cold hollow laugh that would make even a seasoned warrior shiver. "Do you think...that you are the first... to seek the Guild?"
This truly had never crossed his mind before now.
Seeming to sense his thoughts she laughed again. "All of my sisters...are gone...some seeking... other taken... most dead"
"Taken?"
"They do not... always kill... abandon this path lord...unless you wish the same fate..." she was beginning to fade.
"Tell me who to seek for answers." he demanded as she slowly disappeared.
"I know only... the name Chateau de Fronensbourg"
She was gone.
He cursed in the depths of his mind. Another clue but still he felt no closer.
***Germany***
The Chateau she spoke of was indeed a place of refuge for the Guild. He hoped that he would find a supposed leader. The venture which had yielded nothing as the man nearly died from fright at the sight of him before he killed himself. Not a complete loss as he found several letter of correspondence. With multiple points of origin.
Even that hopeful clue ended in nothing. For almost a year he had a long trip across Germany following the path the letters traced. The Guild was elusive beyond all reason. They seemed to relish unreasonable layers to their order. No one seemed to know much beyond there own sect, and nowhere was there a word spoken about who was leading them in their holy war against the immortal creatures in each part of the world.
Fuming with frustration, he decided to try and follow, covertly, a group of five men who were bristling with holy power. They had led him deep into the Black Forest. He, following, was led to a ruined castle only to discover that it was simply a supposed trap. He fought with a group of five of the holy men and their arrows as they attempted to bring him down. They had all died quickly for their foolishness and now as he sat not far from the carnage he was seriously considering melting the nearby forest to vent his anger and frustration.
Perhaps he needed to get the swords. The possibility of loosing the time it would take to go all the way to Japan now was seeming more worth it, as he seemed to be getting nowhere fast. And he regrettably conceded this group had been his last lead.
Outside the broken walls of the ruins Sesshomaru felt…something coming his way. It felt different and vaguely familiar. A faint sense of Yokai laced through a human.
He was curious yet regardless he would not be caught of guard. The speed was more than a human that much he knew. Leaping to a shadowed corner of the falling roof he crouched waiting for the unknown assailant to come.
It was a male. He could see the long dark hair and the red outfit. He could tell from the sound that he was barefoot. Coming into the ruins he stopped at the remains of the battle crouching down he sniffed and looks around him.
Sesshomaru, sending out his lash, was surprised when the man managed to dodge. The mans quick movement just enough not to die but still get a cut across the arm.
"God Damn!" he yelled in surprise, his hand reaching for the sword at his hip, looked up at Sesshomaru. His hands came up quickly "Whoa Wait a sec!"
"Who are you?" Sesshomaru demanded jumping claws at the ready waiting for the man to offer an answer.
"Well I know it has been a long time uncle but don't you recognize me?" the man said.
Sesshomaru looked again at the long dark hair a pair of hanyo ears sticking out.
…1509…
Four sets of little eyes looked up at him, three golden and one a dark brown like the mother. He stood near Rin, hands in his sleeves, as she hugged InuYasha's mate and then each child before she began a conversation with the miko.
He wondered again why it was necessary for him to be there, why she needed him to come along for this visit. The question answering itself as she turned back to him a smile on her face he knows, for her he will do anything. The feeling both upsetting and relaxing though he remained quiet his mask of calm firmly in place.
"Oni-san would you mind if I took a short walk with Rin-chan so we can chat?" he cringed at her term for him but for Rins sake refrained from showing his annoyance.
"She may do as she likes," and with that the miko took Rin by the hand and the two women walked away and out of earshot.
Most likely on purpose.
At his side a silver haired little girl is grinning toothily up at him pulling on his Kimono sleeve. Turning he gave her a fierce glare hopping to frighten her away before she stained his cloths.
It does not work.
When did I loose my ability to frighten at a glance? he wonders idly "Shoo" he tried instead.
She giggled and ran into the house.
InuYasha, sitting cross legged near the door, holding his smallest child on his lap, the pup playing with a carved wooded toy. He watched his daughter run inside, a crooked grin on his face.
"Something amuses you?"
"Keh, you have no idea. Cant wait till its your brat tugging at you" He snorted "That, I think, will be one hell of a sight."
Sesshomaru, aside from really wanting to smash his face in right then, found that he also wanted to be anywhere else.
Setting his small child down InuYasha stood, "You treating her well?" an accusing look coming to his eyes.
"That is of little concern to you" he said turning from his half brother, looking in the direction the two women went seriously thinking about following them.
"You won't get outa this that easy Sesshomaru, Kagome has always cared for Rin, she is like a sister to her. So it really does concern me, you had better not hurt that girl."
"I do not harm what is mine," Sesshomaru replied as a growl deep in his throat escaped his control. He glared at his hanyo brother his hand going to the hilt of his sword.
Standing up a little straighter to his older brother his hand also on his sword InuYasha glared back. "Calm down I was only asking."
"Father!" the eldest child growled, stepping between them a glare on his childlike face. Baring his fangs as he stared up at his uncle. He had the look of InuYasha in his face with the half demon ears. Only the hair was dark like his mother. He looked to be no more than ten summers old.
"Katsu" InuYasha said taking the boy by the shoulder and moving him from between them "There is nothing to worry about" his eyes not moving from Sesshomaru a challenge and a threat clear on his face. "I do not let harm come to what is mine either Sesshomaru." his voice close to a growl his hand on Tessiaga.
"Why InuYasha I do believe you have matured," Sesshomaru said relaxing his stance and turned to the young boy. "For one so young, you are a rash boy"
"And you're a big meany!" The young boy snarled between a clenched jaw.
The look so fierce on such a small breakable thing it was most amusing. Sesshomaru wondered if this is what InuYasha looked like at this age. Did the half bread bristle at all threats imagined or otherwise? For a moment he regretted not seeing InuYasha as a pup.
"Indeed"
"Really you two, can't you behave for ten minuet's!?" they both turned to see a very concerned Rin and a very annoyed Kagome. Sighing she looked from one to the other before taking Rins hand.
"Rin-Chan give me a moment to get you a basket of things. I think perhaps staying for dinner is a bad idea..." She said shooting a glare at the two brothers.
…..End…..
"Katsu," Said Sesshomaru relaxing his stance. "Why are you here?"
"Damn uncle, as friendly as ever" Katsu sat for a moment looking at the corpses, "Did you get anything useful from them before they died?"
"They chose to die rather than speak." Sesshomaru said as he came to stand across from InuYasha's eldest son. "I did not know you still lived."
"Yea well…" he shrugged.
"Why did you seek me?"
"Did you know you are one hard demon to find? I've been looking for months if I didn't remember your smell I would have missed you completely."
"That is a comfort in regard to my enemies. But why are you looking for me?"
"Oh right, Tsukiko asked to find you."
"Why?"
"Something about a girl named Katrina, she asked that you be found sooner than later."
Sesshomaru glared at Katsu "What is wrong?"
"She didn't say, but she asked this to be given to you." He handed him a small note sealed with wax. "But now that I have found you, could I be of use? I'm not doing anything at the moment."
"No"
"Just no hu…?" Katsu said standing and looked at the sleeve of his kimono now nicely ripped "I may not be a full demon but this Guild does concern me if they are threatening the family"
"That is the robe of the fire rat" Sesshomaru said, more statement then question.
"Yea dad left it to me." he shrugged, a sad looked crossed his face.
"Do Ichirou and Mizuki know what has happened?"
"Yea, Tsukiko sent them a letter and that note asking if he could send someone to find you. And since most don't know our connection to each other he asked me to go"
Sesshomaru raised his eye brows confused by the thought.
"Well she did say you didn't want anyone to know where you are, if your son had gone looking for you they would have known and followed him right."
Damn, was his whole family going to get involved in this? "Yes my son made the right choice in that."
"You gona read that?"
Sesshomaru looked at the small note. The wax was more than it seamed and he had to focus his power to break the small sealing spell that was on it.
Father.
Please come if you are able. I am worried about Katrina, while she appears to be healthy and well she has yet to speak a word since you saved her. I worry that something is wrong and I don't know what else to do. I am in America right now, I have enclosed the address.
Tsukiko
He glared, History repeating. This was getting old.
"Perhaps you could be of use" Sesshomaru said breaking the silence "Return to my son tell him that I will be returning before years end. I may need his assistance" Katsu nodded "Also ask Mizuki to get my swords ready she should know where they are"
Katsu grinned "I was surprised that you did not carry them anymore. Why is that?"
"They are an eye sore when one is hiding among humans. They have abandoned swords for less elegant weapons."
"And you, have you adopted the 'less elegant weapons" Katsu wondered.
"I cannot abide the smell of gunpowder" Folding the note away he turned to leave.
"Wait you did not say where you were heading?" Katsu called after him
"What you do not know you cannot reveal" was all he said as he threw caution to the wind and takes to the skies.
***End of the chapter hope you liked it. :) I am starting to like where this is going more and more.***