Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha; this is only fanfic.
Authors Notes: It's me again! Thanks for all the wonderful reviews and to my anon. reviewers: beth, inukik, aya harushino and kikyo 29. Hope you enjoy this chapter and drop a review! Ja ne!
Chapter 6: Assault
Kurokuma watched from the shadows as the private session adjourned. Mouko and Jadoku left the study, but Sesshmaru and his vassal remained inside. The bear youkai's ire rose realizing the demon toad was able to sit in on their session and he was not. He may not be an elder, but his father was an esteemed affiliate of the council.
His clan was known for their strength and that was the extent of their youkai powers. Unfortunately, they were not bestowed with the more intellectual gifts of other youkai. Kurokuma felt his clan was not recognized by the council and felt the more menial tasks were assigned to them; however, his father disagreed. It was the reason Kaguma had requested his son attend the meetings in his place. It seemed his father believed he would learn equality within the inner workings of the council.
So far, he had seen nothing here that would indicate any partiality on the council's part, but that was not the case with Sesshomaru. The bear demon vowed to thwart any plans the inu youkai made to reunite the Southernlands with the other realms.
First, he planned to strip the taiyoukai of his credibility and then he would challenge his father for the head of the bear clan. Kurokuma felt his father's methods were outdated and believed he was no longer fit to lead them.
For years, Kurokuma had waited for his father to denounce his position as leader and appoint him to inherit his title and lands. However, his father still held strong; the old fool kept telling him he was not ready to lead. He would show him, the bear youkai thought as he slunk back into the shadows. He would show them all.
About a quarter mile from the castle, Kikyou located the plant. It was a Purpurea. The plant stood high from the ground with its violet tubular leaves. It was beautiful to look at, but any secretion from the plant was quite toxic. Just one leaf carried enough poison to be fatal to a human.
The priestess broke off a leaf, wrapped it in a small piece of cloth and tucked it into her sleeve. Bending down she looked around the base of the plant, looking for anything the culprit could have dropped within the vicinity. It was likely that someone might leave something behind in haste.
As she searched the area, Kikyou wondered who was coward enough to attack Sesshomaru through a child. Whoever was responsible did not intend to kill Rin outright. The poison was administered in small doses through, either, the child's food or drink. If someone only meant to get Sesshomaru's attention, the result would still have been fatal.
Suddenly, Kikyou sensed a presence. Turning in a circle, she tried to pinpoint from which direction the aura came, but it seemed to surround her. She looked up in time to see a shadow pass across the moon. Her eyes narrowed and she slowly slid the bow from her shoulder and prepared an arrow. Closing her eyes, she focused what she could feel rather than see.
A split second later, she felt the aura directly in front of her and made to shoot. Before she could draw on the strings of her bow, a ball of air came rushing forward and knocked her to the ground. Instinct had her roll to the side as patches of earth pelted over her. Sitting up, Kikyou turned over and saw deep grooves ingrained in the ground beside her.
Luckily, she held tight to her weapon, instead of standing she crouched low and tried again to follow the strange aura. Kikyou sensed the presence appear suddenly at her back, she barely managed to dodge as it moved swiftly. The priestess spun around as the youkai made a pass and sliced into her shoulder.
The cut seemed superficial, but it hurt like hell. Other than Sesshomaru's slash across her palm at the river of miasma, Kikyou had not been injured since. All those months spent in a clay body, she had almost forgotten what pain felt like… almost.
Still holding tight to her weapon, the priestess crouched low and headed for the safety of the trees. Once there she could use the foliage as shelter while determining the nature of the demon she fought.
As she was about to enter the forest, a form blocked her path and a powerful gust of wind pushed her back into the clearing. Kikyou turned her back to avoid the rush of air that left her breathless.
"Did you think I would allow you to escape me, human?"
Kikyou recognized the sound of Airasetsunyo's voice in the darkness. "I warned you, priestess," the demoness hissed.
As she spoke, another gale of air struck Kikyou knocking her to the ground. Just as she rose to her feet, the moon illuminated the clearing giving her a glimpse of Airasetsunyo in demon form.
Her body was fixed between a set of enormous wings that, when fanned, produced the gale-force. She hovered directly in front of Kikyou and above the ground. Swift as a bird, the demoness maneuvered; with her laughter ringing in the air, once again, she disappeared into the shadows.
Lowering herself on one knee, Kikyou decided not to play by Airasetsunyo's rules. Stringing her bow, she took aim and charged her arrow with the Hama-no-ya. As the arrows energy lit up the clearing, it keyed Kikyou into the demoness whereabouts. Turning abruptly in that direction, the priestess released her arrow.
The force of Kikyou's energy drove Airasetsunyo back. The demoness squealed in pain as the arrow imbedded itself in her wing. Quickly reloading her weapon, the priestess repositioned herself for the next attack.
Suddenly, whips of fine thread snaked from the shadows and wrapped around Kikyou's arms and waist. She tried digging her feet into the ground as the thread began pulling her forward. Her arms were held tight and she could not discharge the arrow she had readied. The more she struggled, the more the silken fiber tightened.
Although at a disadvantage, the priestess remained calm. It was not until Airasetsunyo's hideous face loomed before her, that the Kikyou felt the first rush of panic. The demoness had transformed fully. Her eyes bugged and her fangs dripped dokuga poison, an effective weapon of the moth clan. Her eyes gleaming with hate, she drew the priestess towards her.
If Sesshomaru thought Jaken would plague him with bothersome questions after the elders left, he was mistaken. The demon toad was quiet, so quiet, that the taiyoukai was the first to speak.
"I'm surprised at your silence Jaken," Sesshomaru stated. "Are there not questions you would like to ask?"
"No, my lord," the toad, said with a resigned note in his voice.
More silence.
The inu youkai stared at his vassal and then turned to look at the night sky. "If you have something to say, Jaken, I suggest you say it," Sesshomaru said. "I will allow it on this occasion."
"Why," Jaken spoke so suddenly, his voice seemed to echo through the stillness of the room. "Why send me, my lord?"
"Why would I not send someone I trust?" Sesshomaru said coolly. "Once you think about it, Jaken, I'm sure you will realize the absurdity of your question."
The demon toad abruptly turned as his masters words sunk in. Was Sesshomaru saying that only Jaken was worthy of bearing this message? Looking over at the taiyoukai lord's face, it was as bland and unreadable as ever, but the toad perceived sincerity in his words.
As he stood there, Jaken reflected on the many occasions when Sesshomaru had come to his aid or had removed him from harms way. Theirs was a strange partnership, but Jaken remembered, the inu youkai lord himself had specifically chosen him as vassal. He had also appointed him the 'Staff of Two Heads'. Therefore, his master must have believed him worthy.
With that thought in mind, Jaken bowed respectfully and spoke with a tremor in his voice. "Yes, my lord," the toad gave a watery smile, "that was, indeed a stupid question. I will not let you down."
"I don't expect it," Sesshomaru sniffed arrogantly. "Just deliver the message, and return…"
The taiyoukai's words were cut short as a light flashed from within the forest. He turned, walked unhurriedly to the open shoji and stood. His entire body was still as he honed his senses in the direction of the light. Suddenly, his body tensed and he shot a glare in Jaken's direction. "Go to Rin, at once," he ordered, before stepping through the shoji and heading into the forest.
Jaken could only stare, baffled by his master's abrupt departure. He had heard Sesshomaru growl savagely and mutter, "Troublesome wench," before disappeared over the engawa and into the night.
Although he had felt the urges of the Shikon no Tama within his body, Sesshomaru had ignored the sensations. Throughout the meeting, it had continued to annoy him to the point he had to struggle to subdue a response. As he sped through the forest, the taiyoukai noticed the Shikon jewelburned with intensity. The apparatus that Kikyou had placed within his body was alerting him that she was in danger.
Turning into the dense foliage, the taiyoukai picked up Kikyou's scent. He detected her subtle bouquet tinged with a mixture of fear and indignation. As Sesshomaru increased his pace, he also picked up another familiar scent... Airasetsunyo.
He had expected the demoness to retaliate; however, he had not expected Kikyou to make it easy for her. The priestess was allowing Rin's safety to cloud her judgment; but wasn't that the same with him? Why was he was rushing to Kikyou's aid, when the woman put herself in danger? Even as he thought that, the taiyoukai kept moving.
Bursting into the clearance, Sesshomaru found Airasetsunyo in full demon form and trying to wrap Kikyou in her silken web. Once the priestess was cocooned, the demoness would paralyze her with her poison fangs.
Seeing the taiyoukai from her peripheral vision, the moth demon lurched forward attempting to inject Kikyou with her venom. Before she could reach the priestess, Airasetsunyo was lifted by the throat and slammed against the nearest tree. She struggled, trying to dislodge Sesshomaru's fingers from her windpipe, but the taiyoukai held tight.
Kikyou fell to the ground, as the silken threads were broken. The taiyoukai's claws had ripped through them as he came between the two women.
"So…" he said coolly, "it is you, Airasetsunyo."
As the priestess rose to her feet, she turned to Sesshomaru and the moth demon.
In her anger, the demoness hissed, "You no nothing and can prove even less." She stared into the taiyoukai's eyes. "The great Lord Sesshomaru has been reduced to saving humans," she sneered. "You have truly become pathetic."
The inu youkai leaned in close to the moth demon and applied more pressure to her throat, but not enough to enable her voice. Brushing aside her insults he asked, "Who is your accomplice, Airasetsunyo?"
"I know not of what you speak," she sniffed, her features returning to normal. Relaxing in his grip, she smiled serenely at Sesshomaru. "Present me to council," she said on a daring note. "I doubt they will support your preference for humans over us," the demoness stated with scorn.
"I have no intentions of taking you to council," Sesshomaru spoke with chilling composure. Releasing her, he watched as she fell limply to the ground. "You quest for status and the Westernlands ends here, Airasetsunyo."
His words sounded ominous to Kikyou's ears. His voice was calm… too calm and although he presented a stoic front, she detected an unleashed tension. Standing behind him, the priestess stepped forward and made to speak.
"I will deal with you later." Sesshomaru did not turn around as he addressed Kikyou, but stopped her in her tracks. He did not spare a glance in her direction, as he was focused entirely on Airasetsunyo.
The moth demon had maintained her true form. The wings that hung at her side after Sesshomaru's attack, now fanned out behind her. Flexing the massive limbs, Airasetsunyo sent a blast of wind at the taiyoukai.
Kikyou sensed the oncoming attack and moved directly behind Sesshomaru, using him as a shield. Grabbing onto the back of his kimono, she held tight, as the wind seemed to bounce off them. The taiyoukai stood firm under the air pressure.
Seeing the priestess and Sesshomaru so close together only incensed Airasetsunyo. Centuries of planning and waiting had taken its toll on the demoness. She could only think of her ruined plans to become Lady of the Westernlands and ruling by Sesshomaru's side.
Now, because of the child and this woman, that would never happen. She had had enough of these mortals. It had not been her intention to kill the child, just get her sick enough to have the inu youkai send her back to her own kind for care. However, Sesshomaru, as always, did things his own way. Instead of sending the child away, he had brought the priestess here. Watching how Kikyou clutched Sesshomaru's robes, only fed the demoness anger. Since humans were what he preferred, he could well die with them.
Airasetsunyo lunged forward, her winds spread wide and aimed for the taiyoukai and the priestess.
Sesshomaru reached behind him and shoved Kikyou out of the away. She fell backwards and hit the ground hard. Struggling to her feet, she turned in time to see moth demoness engulf the taiyoukai in her wings.
Other than her eyes widening, Kikyou made no reaction to Sesshomaru being consumed. After all, he was powerful enough and he had the Shikon no Tama; she hoped he would not be stubborn and use the power, if needed.
The demoness raised her head and glared at Kikyou. "You're next!" she spat, before baring her poison fangs and burying her head within the folds of her wings.
Remaining calm, the priestess focused her energy and her hands began to glow. She though it best to prepare, in case the taiyoukai was in trouble.
"Do something, Sesshomaru!"
The cocoon rippled and swayed, Kikyou could see neither Sesshomaru nor Airasetsunyo. She was beginning to get edgy; charging her energy, the priestess moved to attack.
Suddenly, there was an ear-piercing shriek. The entire cocoon was thrown back; the wings fell open to reveal Airasetsunyo impaled against the tree again. Sesshomaru's claws ran deep within the demoness midsection.
"It appears you do not know much of your claimed intended." the taiyoukai sneered. "Poison is 'my' weapon. Now… before you die, tell me why you tried to harm the child."
She could feel the combined venoms pooling through her system. Airasetsunyo thrashed about and scratched at the hand at her side. "Damn you," she hissed. In her delirium, the moth youkai began her confession.
"It would have been so easy," Airasetsunyo said heatedly, "to accede to my wishes. But, as always, you do as you please, Sesshomaru, with no regard to others thoughts or feelings."
"For centuries I have waited for you to come to me, for only I am truly worthy of ruling at your side. I have competed for your attentions and have bested the all other female demons, yet you continue to ignore me. And when you returned, after many years of away; what do you do?" Airasetsunyo's face, as she reminisced, had turned melancholy, however, with her next words her expression became savage. "You bring a human child back," she snarled. "One who monopolizes you; between her and the council, there was never time for me. Why, my lord…" her eyes pleaded with him, "…why couldn't you…"
"Who is your accomplice?" Sesshomaru interrupted her coldly.
The moth demoness let loose a blood curdling scream and her grip tightened on the taiyoukai's arm. "I was… was not going to… to kill her, only make her ill… then you would send her away," Airasetsunyo panted. "But now… she will die! I may not be here to see it, but the child has ingested too much to be saved," the moth demoness laughed. "There is nothing… nothing you, the great Lord Sesshomaru, can do to save her."
"He may not be able to," Kikyou spoke softly, "but I can and I have. Rin will live, despite all you have done."
The moth demons eyes were full of hatred as they turned on the priestess. "You…" she croaked.
Withdrawing his claws, Sesshomaru stepped back and Airasetsunyo slid to the ground. "You will die slowly and I would prefer that you do it elsewhere; you have enough life left to make it off my lands." With that said, the taiyoukai turned his back.
As the moth youkai stumbled to her feet, she spat, "I will have my revenge, Sesshomaru. You have yet to discover my accomplice."
"All vermin reveal themselves at some point; you did," the taiyoukai informed her and kept walking. "As with you; all I need do is wait." Passing Kikyou, he looked briefly at her and bade, "Come with me."
"You're allowing her to leave?" Kikyou asked. Sesshomaru did not acknowledge her query, he continued towards the castle. Looking back at Airasetsunyo, she noticed the malicious expression the demoness wore.
Other than killing, Kikyou knew nothing of demons, their world or rituals. However, she did know something of scorned women and of what they were capable. With this thought in mind, the priestess reached for her bow.
Many thoughts plagued Sesshomaru's mind as he headed back to the castle. He felt no remorse for Airasetsunyo. He would have had more respect for her death had she challenged him directly, instead of attacking Rin. The demoness's coconspirator had to be found, he had the business with Jaken and dispatching him to the southern realm and then there was the priestess. It was then that Sesshomaru heard both females say simultaneously…
"You fool," Airasetsunyo cackled.
"Fool," Kikyou muttered with annoyance.
Sesshomaru turned in time to see the moth demoness lift into the air. Kikyou's arrow followed, hit its mark and exploded on impact. Airasetsunyo's body was incinerated instantly and the priestess and taiyoukai watched as her wings floated back down into the forest.
"You stupid, woman," Sesshomaru hissed at Kikyou. Once again, his stoic demeanor belied his ferocity.
Kikyou decided to maintain her composure also; she could feel his anger and did not want to stimulate it. "It would have been a mistake to let her leave," the priestess said simply.
"She was not to die here," the taiyoukai snapped and then grabbed Kikyou. She did not know about the rules of the Westernland and the council. One of the rules was 'no killing within the realm' unless there was clear proof of war or self-defense. Either way, it had to be presented before council; that was what Sesshomaru detested.
"Since you are here," the inu youkai said suddenly, "make yourselves useful."
It took Kikyou a moment to realize he was not speaking to her. She turned as she heard the two elders step from the brush and bowed low to Sesshomaru.
"Jadoku… remove what is left of the moth demon from here and Mouko… return to the castle and keep watch."
"I will return with you, Mouko-san," Kikyou stepped forward and the taiyoukai tightened his grip on her arm.
Mouko and Jadoku read the message loud and clear. The tiger youkai sent a sympathetic smile Kikyou's way before heading back to the castle; the snake youkai slithered back into the darkness of the forest.
The priestess had remained in his grip, but now attempted to pull away. "Let go of me, Sesshomaru." However, he held her struggling form with ease.
"You were told to cease your amateurish investigations; were you not?"
"Yes."
"Do you make a habit of disobeying?"
Cocking her head at an arrogant angle, Kikyou responded, "Yes. Although I believe your words were, "… while you are under my roof, you will do as I tell you…" was it not? As you can see," she continued. "I am not; therefore, I have not gone against your instructions."
Sesshomaru growled low in his throat and pulled Kikyou roughly against him. "Don't mince words with me, woman! You are no simpleton; how clear need I be? By coming here you made yourself a target."
"By coming here," the priestess reiterated. "I have retrieved the evidence you so carelessly discarded earlier."
"What good is it now?"
"If Airasetsunyo had an accomplice, as you seem to think, then we could find them through this," she pulled the plant leaf from her keso and held it up between them. "This plant is extremely toxic, the leaf, stems and even the root are poisonous. Who would have the knowledge to process this into a powder form and control the dose enough to keep Rin alive until you sent her away?"
"It is clear you do not listen well," Sesshomaru said. "You will leave this to me; I have neither the time nor the patience for your foolishness."
"I am trying to help; how is that foolish?" Kikyou snapped.
"I neither need nor want your help."
"You may not, but Rin does," the priestess said angrily. "Her life is still in danger and with your other matters; I fear she is considered less important. Allow me oversee the capture of this accomplice."
"No," Sesshomaru answered. The other youkai could prove to be just as dangerous as the moth demoness herself was. Had he not been nearby, how would Kikyou had fared? She might think she was invincible, but she was merely a human bestowed with special powers.
"Sesshomaru…" It was not a plea; it was her way of enforcing her request. "I can help!" Kikyou persisted.
"No," the taiyoukai said with finality and then sniffed the air. "You can do nothing here; you are injured." He reached for her shoulder and startled, she tried to pull away. Capturing both her hands, he pulled them behind her. Kikyou fell into him and Sesshomaru pinned her body against his. With his free hand, he peeled back her keso to reveal her injured shoulder.
The priestess had forgotten it; she had been too intent on Airasetsunyo's attacks. However, what was more dangerous, were the sensations the taiyoukai was evoking by running his clawed thumb across the abrasion. Her heart was fluttering in her chest and it took some effort to breath. Kikyou had been close to Sesshomaru before, but never pressed against his frame. "Sesshomaru…" Her voice sounded breathless.
"You are poisoned," the taiyoukai informed her. "Hold still," he commanded.
Kikyou's breath quickened as Sesshomaru's head lowered. She shivered as his cool lips skimmed across her skin. From the crook of her neck, down the curve of her shoulder she felt his warm breath before his mouth closed over the wound.
Standing in his arms, Kikyou felt him tug lightly at her flesh extracting the venom. She was surprised at the taiyoukai's actions and his gentle handling. Her body went slack and her eyes drifted close as warmth spread throughout her body. This was a full fledge demon and Inuyasha's brother, her mind cried out; what was she thinking? Jerking back to reality she began again tentatively, "Sesshomaru…"
The taiyoukai released her flesh and whispered close to her ear, "Just a little more." He then resumed his attentions to her wound. He had lied; he had already extracted the poison, but could not seem to let go of the priestess. Her skin was warm, smooth as silk and her scent was even more alluring when aroused. However, she was only a human and his brothers cast off. With this thought in mind, he reluctantly released her and stepped back.
Moving away from her, Sesshomaru's face was an unreadable mask as he stared down on the priestess. Kikyou, however, had to struggle for control. She kept her head lowered with her bangs shielding her eyes. After what seemed an eternity…
"Come," Sesshomaru requested and turned away. The priestess had barely taken two steps when the taiyoukai stopped suddenly. Without turning around he stated, "You are forgetting something; are you not?"
Kikyou tore her gaze from the hem of her hakamas and looked puzzled for a moment. His meaning dawned on her and Kikyou turned back to retrieve her bow and arrows. Arming herself, she followed in Sesshomaru's wake.
To be continued…