Chapter 7- Heir
Fourteen year old Tsukichikara stood with a bamboo sword in her hand. She pushed her right foot forward and held her sword out. With a quick swing, she knocked down a pile of rocks she had stacked up. Then she pierced a training dummy in the stomach. To finish, she knocked an arrow out of the sky that Akito shot at her.
"Huh," Inuyasha said, "I'd say you're getting pretty good."
"She has made adequate progress," Jaken said.
"It's nice to see someone training properly to wield one of my swords," Totosai said.
"Hey, old man," Inuyasha said, "What are you doing here?"
"You're long overdue for Tessaiga's maintenance!" Totosai lectured.
"Sorry, things have been busy around here," Inuyasha said, "A lot of demons have been moving through the woods. I can't leave the village for a day to visit you."
"Well, at least you've gained some manners and a sense of responsibility," Totosai said, "Being a father did mature you."
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Inuyasha asked, handing Tessaiga over.
Totosai looked at the fully powered sword.
"I see you've treated it with demon oils. You have been taking your maintenance seriously."
"Actually, Akito does that stuff," Inuyasha said.
"I see," Totosai frowned, "Then perhaps I should kill you and give this sword to your son since he's the only one willing to treat a blade right!"
"Hey! I'm the one who goes out and gets the oil! Akito just has a knack for that sort of thing!"
"Hmm... How would you like to become my apprentice?" Totosai asked the priest.
"Thank you for the offer," Akito replied, "But I'd much rather stay in the village."
"Fine, your loss," Totosai shrugged.
"Totosai," Sesshomaru landed near them.
"Ah, Lord Sesshomaru," Totosai said, "How is Tenseiga?"
Sesshomaru handed over the holy blade. Totosai looked over it with approval.
"You've done a fine job maintaining this blade," Totosai said.
"Akito treats that one too," Inuyasha said.
"Do either of you do any of your own maintenance?" Totosai asked.
"I don't have time," Inuyasha replied.
"How ridiculous," Sesshomaru said.
"Young lady, you'd better take proper care of your blade yourself, or I'm snapping it in half!" Totosai called to Tsukichikara.
The half-demon blinked blankly at the old geezer.
"And here I thought you two learned to respect your father's blades," Totosai said, "I'll sharpen Bakusaiga and Yuguresaiga while I'm here."
As Totosai took the four swords, Tsukichikara smelled something... almost familiar in the air. Sesshomaru looked up at the sky. Two black demon horses pulled a flying carriage that was followed by a procession of demons.
"Hey Totosai, I'm gonna need my sword," Inuyasha said.
"Be still, whelp," Sesshomaru said, "It's nothing to merit concern."
"If you call me that one more time," Inuyasha raised his fist at Sesshomaru.
The carriage landed at the edge of the village. The villagers stopped their work to look at it. Tsukichikara followed her uncle, cousin, and father to see who was in it. Out of the carriage stepped two women in long, gorgeous kimonos. They both had long white hair. One had a crescent symbol on her forehead.
"Sesshomaru, it's been too long," one of them said.
"Mother," Sesshomaru greeted curtly.
The woman looked at Tsukichikara.
"So, you must be the half-demon," Inukimi said.
"It's an honor to meet you," Tsukichikara bowed to her grandmother.
"At least she has manners," Inukimi said, "And that other one."
She looked at Inuyasha.
"You're Izayoi's child?" Inukimi asked.
"What's it to you?" Inuyasha asked.
"I would have thought that with your mother's gentile ways, you would have more manners than a wild boar demon," Inukimi said.
"Well, he did spend his childhood in the wild, so you can't blame him," the other woman said.
"No thanks to you, old lady Tsukimaru," Inuyasha said.
"You're the one who ran away," Tsukimaru replied.
"Be grateful, Inuyasha," Sesshomaru said, "That she showed you some pity."
"I would have stuck around if you hadn't showed up."
"Do not blame me for your lack of backbone back then."
"You two have not changed in two hundred years," Tsukimaru said.
"Well, except that Sesshomaru has a half-demon child himself," Inukimi said, "But I suppose some aspects of his personality will never change."
"My lady, the men are ready to unpack!" a badger demon said.
"Very well, set up the tents outside the village," Inukimi said.
"You're staying?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Does that bother you?" Tsukimaru asked.
"Do as you wish," Sesshomaru replied, "Tsukichikara, come with me."
"Ironic," Inukimi said, "He'd rather be with a half-demon than full blooded demons."
"His father would be proud," Tsukimaru agreed.
Tsukichikara followed her father into Inuyasha's forest. He said little, walking up the hill towards the sacred tree.
"Father?" Tsukichikara asked.
"I have no patience for ridiculous women," Sesshomaru replied.
Briefly, Tsukichikara wondered how Sesshomaru tolerated Rin if that was his opinion.
They stopped at the sacred tree. Sesshomaru looked at the scar that Kikyo's arrow had left behind. He lifted his clawed hand as if to reach for the tree-
Then Sesshomaru spun on his heel and swiped at Tsukichikara's head!
The half-demon stepped back and spun on her own foot to dodge the strike. Another swipe came, Tsukichikara dodged it. Pressing weight on her right foot, she aimed a swipe at Sesshomaru. Her father dodged her attack with no effort. His body became a blur as he disappeared into the trees.
Standing completely still, Tsukichikara closed her eyes. Her father's scent moved all around her. Not a twig or leaf moved under his step. From the south came a breeze.
Bending her knees, Tsukichikara leaped into the air as a white blur appeared below her. Turning her body in midair, she aimed her clawed hand at her father. As she came down, he dodged the swipe once again.
Waving his hand at her, a whip of light appeared from his fingers. Tsukichikara jumped back again to avoid the whip's lash. Sesshomaru charged at her, quickly closing the distance. With an agile strike, his whip of light slashed open the skin on her cheek, drawing blood.
Stinging pain made Tsukichikara almost growl in anger. Instead, she used the close distance to aim a swipe at her father's chest.
"Hmp," he grunted, as if it was a wasted effort.
Gripping her wrist, he took a hold of her. Then he threw her body at the Bone Eater's Well. Throwing her weight forward, she landed short of the wooden side. Her foot barely touched the ground when she jumped to the side to avoid another of her father's attacks.
Over an hour passed while they fought. Not once did Tsukichikara land a hit on Sesshomaru. By the time they returned to the village, she had five different cuts on her body.
"Sesshomaru shows you no mercy, I see," Inukimi said as Tsukichikara came to the now set up camp.
"Mother, why are you here?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Well, you haven't visited in fifteen years," Inukimi said, "I thought I would come to you."
"Mother," Sesshomaru warned.
Inukimi sighed.
"When will you take your mantle as Lord of the West?" she asked, "You spend more time in this human village than in your travels, if the reports are true. If you've finally settled, why not come home?"
"It is none of your concern," Sesshomaru replied.
"When will you take up your role?"
Sesshomaru made no reply.
"Don't tell me you intend to simply pass it on to this half-demon without ever taking on the duties yourself!" Inukimi said in shock.
"Tsukichikara is not suitable," Sesshomaru said, looking at his daughter.
As he looked at her with empty eyes, Tsukichikara's heart constricted. She was not worthy? Why had she been training all this time if he had no intention of passing on the duty?
Then it dawned on her... he never intended to. Demons lived long lives. Perhaps her father never meant to leave anything to her. And it was not as if she wanted to take over the Empire...
…
Sesshomaru watched his daughter's reaction. Her eyes narrowed and her fists started to clench. As she kept eye contact with him, her face remained unchanging. However, her eyes flashed for a second.
Inukimi looked between them with curiosity. From Tsukichikara to Sesshomaru, as if they were trading blows.
"I suppose a half-demon is hardly suited," Inukimi agreed.
…
Tsukichikara heard the statement, but felt little about it. Her mind only clung to the idea of being the ruler of the West. Grasping the idea that she could be responsible for a territory that covered a great deal of Japan. That the wellbeing of demons and humans could depend on her. That there were enemies that could be as powerful as her father...
"If you'll excuse me," Tsukichikara bowed to her grandmother, "I have training."
Turning on her heel, Tsukichikara made her way back to the training ground. She picked up the bamboo sword and started to swing.
I've always done this for the sake of a sword, she thought.
She swung her bamboo sword to the side.
I never thought about what that blade represents...
Balancing her weight on her left foot, she turned on her heel and swung her sword down in an arch.
...or how heavy the weight of that fang is!
Thunder sounded in the distance. Gray clouds gathered overhead. As the rain fell, Tsukichikara kept swinging her practice sword.
To be worthy of her father. To be acknowledged by her father. To have her father be proud of her. To prove that her human blood was not a hindrance.
To be acknowledged as Lord Sesshomaru's daughter is to be acknowledged as heir to the West. You cannot separate the Lord of the West from the demon who holds the title. To deny that he is the Lord of the West is to deny his past, his father's past, and the truth of the demon blood in my veins.
Drops of water dripped down her skin, soaking her clothes.
If I want to be his heir, I have to think about what that means. To understand that I would have to fight every day of my life to be acknowledged by the world. Demons will see the human blood, humans will see the demon blood. Neither would accept me... not at first. Demons only recognize power... To gain recognition from a demon, you have to have power. To gain recognition from my father, a full blooded demon, I have to be stronger!
Her motions stopped. As the rain poured over her body, Tsukichikara threw the sword aside. She looked at the piles of rocks and training dummies around her, just stand-ins, illusions. Closing her eyes, she listened through the rain to the sounds around her. Breathing in the moist air, she took in the scents of the life around her. Her demon nose picked up the faint scent of a rabbit scampering for cover.
Opening her eyes, Tsukichikara gave chase after the rabbit, intending to make short work of it with nothing but her own claws.
…
"Did something happen to Tsukichikara?" Kagome asked Rin.
"I don't know," Rin said, "Since Lady Inukimi and Lady Tsukimaru's visit, Tsuki's spent almost every minute training."
Akito looked at the women washing their clothing in the river. Then he turned his gaze back on Tsukichikara across the river. She knelt on one knee, as still as a stone. Nearby, a bird landed on the shore. A moment passed. Then Tsukichikara's eyes flashed open. With a quick swipe of her claws, she caught the bird in her hand.
When this was done, Akito smelled Sesshomaru lurking in the trees. In a split second, the Daiyokai's whip of light slashed at Tsukichikara. The girl did nothing to dodge it until the last second. With just a bend of her neck, her head ducked out of the way.
Both Kagome and Rin stopped their washing to watch the spar. Tsukichikara stayed by the shore while Sesshomaru rushed at her. With a swipe of his claw, he aimed a cut for her back. Tsukichikara made no move to dodge. The swipe cut into her flesh.
For an instant, her eyes flashed. Then they became empty. Tsukichikara grabbed her father's armor and pulled at it. Sesshomaru leaped back with Tsukichikara still holding on. With her free arm, she slashed at his body, cutting into his neck.
Sesshomaru pushed her off. Tsukichikara landed a couple meters away, staring at him as if he were just another rock in the river. Sesshomaru reached for his belt, withdrawing a katana with a red sheath. He threw the weapon at Tsukichikara.
Akito watched his cousin catch Yuguresaiga. She unsheathed the sword and held it in an attack position. Sesshomaru withdrew Bakusaiga. They stood still, watching each other.
Sesshomaru charged first. Tsukichikara blocked the swift strike. His sword swings came rapidly and as a blur to the naked eye. One of Sesshomaru's strikes knocked Tsukichikara into the river. As she picked herself up from the fall, Sesshomaru's yokai pulsed into Bakusaiga.
"Sesshomaru, wait!" Kagome called.
"No, Kagome," Rin said, "She has to face this."
"He's going to use that swords full power on her!" Kagome protested.
"I know," Rin said calmly.
"But what if she gets hurt?"
"Then I'll fix her wounds," Rin replied, "Tsukichikara needs to stand on her own. Please understand, Kagome."
"Bakusaiga," Sesshomaru said, activating the sword's power.
Sesshomaru swung the sword at Tsukichikara, releasing its green wave of power. Standing firm, Tsukichikara held Yuguresaiga in front of her. As her power pulsed, a red barrier formed around her. The wave flew over the red sphere of demonic light, leaving her unharmed.
As the wave passed, Tsukichikara swung her blade back. Then with another pulse of power, she swung the blade at her father.
"Crimson Wave!" Tsukichikara said as the sword released a blood red stream of light at Sesshomaru.
The trees and grass around Sesshomaru blackened and melted as the light touched them. Sesshomaru stood, unharmed by the attack.
The wave passed, leaving only charred ground around the Daiyokai. He sheathed his sword, signaling the end to the match.
Akito ran to Tsukichikara, who sat on the riverbank, recovering from the fight.
"Congratulations," Akito said, "You held off his attack."
"That wasn't even a fully powered attack," Tsukichikara replied, "I'm no where near done, Big Brother."
"But he gave you the sword," Akito reminded her, "Which means you're worthy of using it."
"It was mine all along. It's only now that I've earned the right to wield it. I realized that I can't rely on its power or my father's power to protect me. I have to depend on my own strength. No one acknowledges a half-demon without a fight."
"I guess neither of us can depend on our parents forever," Akito smiled.
"You less than me. You're only a forth demon and your demon power cancels out your human spiritual power."
"Then maybe I'll just have to depend on you."
"I guess," Tsukichikara said absently.
"Hey, what is it?" Akito asked in concern.
"Nothing," she sighed.
"Tsuki, you know you can't run from whatever is bothering you. It's better to come out and say it."
Tsukichikara looked directly at her father. Then she stood up and pointed her sword at him.
"Father, there will be a day I can stand up as your equal," she said, "And when that day comes, I want you to acknowledge me!"
Sesshomaru looked at her blankly.
"It doesn't matter if I am a half-demon!" she continued, "I'll earn the right to be the Lady of the West, on my own merit, not by inheriting it from you!"
A breeze blew passed them, causing Tsukichikara's hair to flutter. Sesshomaru's kimono and long white hair flowed as the wind traveled by.
"Are you prepared to fight me for that title?" he asked.
"I am," she replied, "No matter how long it takes, I will fight for it!"
"There's no need for that," Sesshomaru said.
Tsukichikara's eyebrows creased.
"It would be better for me to teach you," he said.
"Huh?" she asked.
"Is it truly your wish to be my successor?" he asked.
"Yes," she nodded, "I've thought about it for a long time. And I've decided that it's what I want."
"Then we'll begin your lessons tomorrow," Sesshomaru replied.
…
Rin soaked a cloth in warm water, then she took the damp cloth and started to rub Sesshomaru's bare back.
"You didn't go easy on her did you?" Rin asked.
"And why would I?" Sesshomaru asked back.
"I thought you wanted her to survive," Rin replied.
"The attack was not lethal, nor was it weak. It would not be a true test if I 'went easy' on her."
"Why did she become so zealous all of a sudden?" Rin asked, "What did you do?"
"My mother asked if I meant for Tsukichikara to be my successor. I simply said she was not suitable."
Rin rubbed Sesshomaru's back with her finger nails digging into his skin.
"That hurts," Sesshomaru groused.
"No wonder she was upset," Rin groaned.
"You have picked up many irritating traits from Kagome," Sesshomaru said as the pain coursed over his skin.
"You deserve it," Rin huffed, "I can't believe you'd say something like that in front of her. I thought you wanted her to be your heir."
"What I desired was not what she desired," Sesshomaru said, "Tsukichikara has not shown any interest in being my successor before. I will not burden her with a destiny she has no wish for."
"I guess that makes sense," Rin admitted.
"Then apologize for the scratches on my back."
"No," Rin said stubbornly, "It was still an underhanded trick!"
"You are most vexing when your mood is foul," Sesshomaru said.
"Why didn't you just ask her instead of doing all this?" Rin asked.
"She had to fear losing that honor to understand what it truly meant."
"It almost seems like you tricked her."
"You're not in a position to criticize my techniques," Sesshomaru said, "I have indulged your human rearing far more than enough."
"What does that mean?"
"You insist on having her live in the village. By now, she should be completely accustomed to the wilderness."
"I want her to have a normal life," Rin said, "Children should have that while they grow up."
"There's no such thing as 'normal' for a half-demon. And you had no objections to living in the wilderness when you were young. You insisted on it."
"That was before I lived with Lady Kaedae... I remembered what it felt like to have a home. After those bandits killed my family, I was treated worse than a stray dog by the villagers in my old home. You once asked me where I got the bruises... those men beat me for stealing fish from the reserves."
"For me?"
"Yes."
"I told you back then, I don't eat human food. You should have listened."
"I didn't know any better. You don't eat human food, you eat humans."
"I have not eaten a human in twenty years."
Rin sighed and went back to scrubbing his back. Slowly, the pressure became lighter and Sesshomaru did not feel the same harsh pain over his skin.
"When Tsukichikara was born, all I wished for was for her to grow up healthy and happy. And if she is both of those things, then I'll be content when I die."
Sesshomaru tilted his head back to look at Rin.
"In order to stay healthy, she must experience some pain," he explained, "I pushed her so that she might survive. That is the only way she will thrive in this world. Few will accept her for what she is, Rin. Just as few accept our marriage."
"I know," Rin smiled sadly, "I knew that when I married you."
Sesshomaru tilted his head forward again so Rin could wash his neck.
"When I'm gone, will you forget me?"
"Don't be ridiculous," he replied.
"Will you love me forever?"
"I have no other option. Do you think of death often?"
"No. But soon, there will be more days behind me than before me. I won't live even a fraction of the time you will."
"You will always be alive," Sesshomaru said, "In Tsukichikara, your blood will live on. You will never be gone completely."
"Yeah," Rin said sweetly, "Will you think of me when you see her?"
"I already do."
…
"What is the difference between victory and defeat?" Sesshomaru asked Tsukichikara as she swung her sword.
"Victory is winning, defeat is losing."
"What must be done to obtain victory?"
"Overcome the obstacles to your goal."
"Is retreat a defeat?"
"No. Not in the long run when it can lead to a victory."
"You must never waver from a challenge. Never assume you will lose. There is always possibility for victory. However, only the foolish continue to fight when defeat is inevitable. Your first victory is your survival."
"So if my enemy is more powerful than me, I should run away?"
"Not before making a stand," Sesshomaru replied, "Test their strength. Analyze them. Find a way to make victory out of nothing. Let them underestimate you. Waste no strength. Use each move with economy. Hold back your full power for the last strike. When you make the last strike, make it the last strike."
"The death blow. In short, don't miss it," she replied.
"Hey! What if you've got something to protect?!" Inuyasha shouted, "What if the only way to save your friends and family is to delay the enemy until they kill you?"
"Only you would find yourself in that situation," Sesshomaru replied, "I, Sesshomaru, would never be reduced to such a state."
"Maybe not you, but what about Tsuki? A half-demon can't be so arrogant."
"If it were someone I cared about, I would gladly die to protect them," Tsukichikara replied, "But I would not seek to throw my life away either. I intend to live a very long time."
"So be it," Sesshomaru replied.
"What about you, Sesshomaru? If Rin or Tsuki were in danger, would you sacrifice your life for them?" Inuyasha dug.
"Don't ask such a ridiculous question," Sesshomaru replied.
"It's not ridiculous," Inuyasha argued.
"Tsukichikara, be prepared to sacrifice lives. There will be those under you who are willing to die for victory. Do not avoid their deaths at the cost of that victory. For loss to a demon is worse than death itself. Humiliation comes in the form of loss to an enemy because of weakness. Sentiment is fine for humans, but it has no place in a demon's heart. As a half-demon, you cannot help but feel these emotions. That is why you must push them aside."
"Humans can be apathetic too," Tsukichikara countered.
"Perhaps," Sesshomaru conceded, "But you are your mother's daughter. You must work twice as hard to overcome the weaknesses in your human blood if you are to be the leader of demons."
"Human blood isn't a weakness!" Inuyasha retorted.
"Never let the situation become so dire that you become desperate," Sesshomaru ignored Inuyasha, "Your demon blood will take over and turn you into a mindless beast. Learn to control yourself, even when facing the most overwhelming odds. Unlike your uncle, you have the ability to control your emotions."
"Hey!" Inuyasha growled.
"Do not rely on your allies to rescue you. Depend only on yourself. And never, ever depend on your demon blood. The demon half of you is far more powerful than it is in Inuyasha."
"Oh really?" Inuyasha asked, "What's that based on?"
Sesshomaru withdrew Bakusaiga and swung it at Inuyasha. Inuyasha drew Tessaiga and blocked Bakusaiga.
"I have exceeded our father, whelp," Sesshomaru replied, "My blood is stronger, superior to his. And therefore more difficult to control."
"It's not Tsuki you should be worried about right now," Inuyasha growled, "I'm going to take you down if you call me that again!"
"Perhaps I should call you 'imbecile' or 'moron'?" Sesshomaru taunted.
"You bastard!"
"In actuality, little brother, you are the bastard."
"I am going to kill you!"
"Do you see how easily he is provoked?" Sesshomaru asked Tsukichikara.
"I see your point, Father," Tsukichikara said.
"Sit boy!" Kagome's voice called.
Inuyasha's beads of subjugation drew him to the ground. Sesshomaru watched his brother roll over and glare at his wife.
"Stop picking fights with Sesshomaru!" Kagome said.
"Stay out of this!" Inuyasha called back.
"Tsukichikara, recall that the attention of simple minded opponents can be easily re-directed," Sesshomaru said, sheathing his sword.
"Yes, Father," Tsukichikara replied.
"Who are you calling simple minded?!" Inuyasha asked, lifting his sword.
"SIT!"
"Ouufff," Inuyasha groaned as the beads of subjugation drew him to the ground.
"And they never learn," Sesshomaru added.
