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A few hours spent in his private study revealed one thing, just how limited Sesshomaru's stores were on credible information regarding psyche demons. From his own experience, he knew that they were incredibly rare. In the centuries he'd lived, Moiya had been the first he'd encountered. The one scroll he found on the traits of psyche's just detailed their talents; of which their were numerous. Some were able to read minds, some walk in the dreams of others, some could hold objects and see the past, present and future. He read of some being able to move objects with their minds, and take control of others minds. What perplexed him most was that it was clearly and adamantly ensured that each psyche demon had control over one aspect of the mind. Moiya, he knew personally, controlled at least two and if she were able to actually see Rin's dreams this evening, would be able to control three.
He after consulting Jaken, he learned that there was a small clan of psyche's that resided in the North several hundred years ago, likely before his fathers time. They seemingly disappeared and no record of their existence remained. There was one additional source he could consult, but he was not entirely sure Siji would divulge anything. The smaller elder demon did not seem as if he was one to give away secrets about his Lady, no matter who was asking. But Sesshomaru has determined to attempt.
Rising immediately as dusk was only a short time away, he strode from the room in search for his quarry. It did not take him long to scent the squirrel demon, finding him in the common room conferring with one of the servants. With in a few strides he was upon them.
The servant immediately made a hasty retreat leaving Siji to face Sesshomaru. His stance was anything but submissive.
"You require something Lord Sesshomaru?"
Being a territory leader, Sesshomaru was aware of the advantages of diplomacy, though he rarely used it. However, with this demon, Sesshomaru knew he could gain more ground by utilizing such.
"This Sesshomaru finds himself in need of information. This information relates particularly to a demoness of mutual acquaintance."
Immediately the squirrel demon tensed and his eyes held a suspicious sheen. "I apologize my Lord but though I am Lady Moiya's vassal, information only extends to that which she permits me to know, and to divulge."
Sesshomaru knew immediately Siji was lying, the male knew more about than perhaps she, herself did. But being diplomatic left little room for anger. He had to convince him that he was attempting to help Moiya, which in essence was true, with the added perk of relieving his own curiosity.
"I see. That is unfortunate, Lady Moiya has asked me to aid her in tonight's exercise with my ward. I had hoped that with my own efforts, we could heal Rin at a much more rapid rate then previously thought. Moiya's theory has merit, but without the necessary information, This Sesshomaru has little hope of being able to carry it out."
Siji seemed to be contemplating this. His gaze never left Sesshomaru's, as if he was attempting to determine if Sesshomaru was sincere in his entreaty. Sesshomaru knew that what Siji saw wasn't very encouraging. His normally placid features left nothing for interpretation. After a few moments, Sesshomaru was rewarded with a slight nod and he was gestured to occupy a nearby sitting cushion.
Once seated, Siji asked, "What can I assist you with?"
"I am assuming you are aware of her plan of action tonight."
"My Lady has informed me of her intentions."
"Then you realize that she believes This Sesshomaru to be the key to unlocking Rin's nightmares."
"I believe she did mention something of the sort."
"I can not help her if I do not understand how to help."
"What is it you are asking of me Lord Sesshomaru?" Siji asked, getting right to the point.
"How do her talents work? Tell me what you know of psyche demons in general."
Siji sighed and made himself more comfortable. "Do you not have an extensive library? Surly something there can give you this information."
"This Sesshomaru has already consulted his texts. There was nothing of any use." After a few moments Sesshomaru inquired, "Why are you so reluctant squirrel?"
Siji looked up and held his gaze. "Lady Moiya's past is… complicated. Determining what to tell you without compromising her trust or my loyalty is no easy task my Lord. I have been her vassal and friend for a majority of her time on earth."
"I am attempting to relieve some of the burden from her. She believes I can help but I can not be useful until I understand how her power works and what repercussions to expect that she is likely to have. For if This Sesshomaru is unable to help her, then something untoward is sure to happen."
"She did mention that you were able to connect with her previously. Such a thing has never happened before, without her initiating it. That alone may be of some help." Siji was seemingly muttering to himself but Sesshomaru heard every word. After a few moments, the rodents deep chocolate eyes connected again with his own gold.
"I'll tell you what I can milord. No doubt she'll be furious if she ever found out but I believe her health to be of more importance than her sense of privacy. Best settle in, what I have to impart will take time."
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"Psyche demons are as old as time. It was generally believed that the God's created them as the first of the youkai species as aspects of their own minds. Regardless of their lore or beginning the one thing about psyche demons you need to know is that they all, each and every one of them eventually end up causing their own demise. Eventually, they all overload. Their powers, though a birthright, come with a terrible price. The more they use it in attempt master and develop their talents, the more the brains filters deteriorate. They are the only species of demon unable to find a way to cope with their true form."
"Their true form?"
"You are an inuyoukai, thus you become a demonic canine once your seals are released yes?"
Sesshomaru nodded his affirmative.
"A true form for a pysche demon is a completely unfiltered mind. One that can process, control and exist without the protection of the instinct. Their bodies do not change but their mind is finally fully unburdened."
"Explain."
"Your demonic form is your instinct in complete control yes? For these demons, their instinct is always in control, essentially protecting the brain by building filters to process information without retention. When ever something new is introduced to the mind, the filter processes and discards what the instinct deems unnecessary to survival, and retains what is useful. This is the only type of demon where the instinct hinders them. The instinct often deems the pysche's natural talent as a necessary evil and rebels against any development or strengthening of the talent. Those determined to try always end up dead from mind overload. The instinct shuts the mind down to protect it, but the body can not survive without the mind. The brain remains intact, but the body dies."
"Has any psyche demon ever achieved their true form without dying?"
Siji visibly hesitated. "It is said that Moiya's parents did so right before Moiya-sama was born, but they were killed soon afterward because they became too powerful."
"By whom?"
"By Moiya's grandparents, their own blood."
"And how does Moiya fit into this? How did she survive?"
"That is something you would need to discuss with her My Lord. Her past is her own tale to tell."
Sesshomaru made a mental note to do so. But there was one more thing that was mystifying him. "The one scroll that did contain information on psyche's stated that each psyche had only one talent, yet our psyche certainly possesses more than one."
"Moiya has always been a mystery. Her talents effect her differently then they did others in her clan and always did. Her instinct doesn't react the same either. Instead of discarding useless or harmful information her mind locks it in like a prison. I can not explain how or why because I do not know myself. And it is not something she has ever felt the need to discuss openly, so I would advise against consulting her on it. She has enough to deal with now."
The warning in Siji's voice was there but Sesshomaru chose to ignore it and he knew that this male knew more about why Moiya was different but decided not to press the matter.
"How can This Sesshomaru be of assistance?"
"You stated that you connected with her before, did you see anything?"
Sesshomaru remember the experience but was unable to adequately explain it. "Her mind is complex. She is complex."
"That she is. My suggestion is to attempt the same tonight while she connects with Rin. Perhaps you can join the bridge she's built and put a stop to all this once and for all or at least stop it long enough for both of them to get a break."
"Your assistance is appreciated Siji. I have much to think on."
"I am at your service milord." The demon stood and gave a formal bow before leaving the room and leaving Sesshomaru in contemplation.
As it was he had learned a great deal. Glancing out the window, he watched the sun begin its slow decent beneath the horizon. Rin would be wanting to retire soon and Moiya would be attending her to her dreams. He needed to be prepared for the nights events. But nothing could prepare him for what happened during the next few hours.
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