Sesshomaru & Inuyasha: Brothers in Arms
Sesshomaru & Inuyasha: Kyōdai de Busō
Shō 7 - Kyūden De Za Jōkū
Chapter 7 - Palace in the Skies
After what to her, likely seemed an eternity, the youkai lord finally allowed his lady to leave her bed and go outside the castle, but only under the strictest conditions. She could not go swimming, she could not fly, she could not use her magic and if he could not be at her side, then either Ashira or Bathera and one of the guards had to be.
Though, for fear of angering her love, Akatsuki did not engage in any strenuous activities, she did enjoy her relaxed strolls around the castle with Rin, she enjoyed their times together as they picked flowers, she enjoyed as she watched Rin train with Inuyasha, she enjoyed watching as Inuyasha trained Sarula, she enjoyed watching as the three of them trained together and she even enjoyed sitting and watching as her love trained his guards.
But she did not enjoy watching as Sesshomaru struggled with his internal demons. He was still consumed with thoughts of his parents. She could not determine why after more than 200 years, this subject was so important to him, nor did she know when it had become so; but his concerns would not cease until his questions had been answered.
Now, the youkai lord stood in the center of the dojo preparing to train a small team of his guards, as the other teams guarded the castle. Sesshomaru had not yet exceeded the 100 youkai quota that would qualify as a true army, and his guard force was far below the numbers at the western Suzaku compound, but Akatsuki admired his determination. He was making every attempt to provide a safe home for everyone under his castle. He even had plans of touring the southern lands shortly to become familiar with those under his new rule.
Akatsuki had mentioned that her father would gladly provide one of his squadrons of guards to provide more adequate protection, but her love was determined to build his empire himself, as was evident in his constant efforts to train youkai who had never previously wielded a weapon.
Sesshomaru could not say he relished the tenseness that surged through his body of late. He was out of sorts, though his outward appearance displayed his usual calm, disinterested demeanor. Such indecisiveness was beneath the status of a daiyoukai. Never before, had he questioned his ability to do that which he was required to do. Why was this so different? Yet, here he stood, once more lost in thought attempting to sort through such uselessness. Traveling had never required so much effort. Living his life alone, had never caused so much evaluation of his intent. He could not determine what troubled him more, to at last be on the verge of determining the possible unpleasant truth of his chichi-ue's death, or to face the possibility of having to take the life of his haha-ue.
Sesshomaru was aware of what he would have preferred to do so long ago - to battle his chichi-ue to the death and thus prove whose power was greater. But that right had been taken from him. But Akatsuki had said such a hope would result in nothing other than a life altering paradox. Would it? Was he happy with his life now, or did he prefer what it could have been? Because if he had defeated his chichi-ue as he had hoped, his life would be nothing like it was now. In fact, his life was nothing as he had thought it would be all those years ago. He now ruled two regions of land, he had a castle full of youkai under his command, he had a human child to tend, his hanyou brother lived under his roof, he was mated and they were with child. All that would be non-existent if he had defeated his chichi-ue as was his intent.
He would have taken his chichi-ue's life and both of his swords - Tetsusaiga and Sou'unga. He would have had no need for Tenseiga, the sword that was his constant companion from the day he had received it; the sword with which he had restored Rin's life and learned compassion; the sword that graced his hip even now. With Tetsusaiga and Sou'unga under his command, he would never have lost his left arm, he would never have made peace with the hanyou, he would never have restored Rin's life and he would never have met nor mated Akatsuki; because he would never have learned to care. But he had and he did; and he was pleased with those events. But he could not get past the possibilities of what truly led to that.
The life of the then lord may well have been seized through underhanded subterfuge. But as the current lord, could he allow such an event to go unpunished? But did that even matter, or was just knowing the truth important because he believed he had a wrong to right? He did not know and he did not like not knowing. His life should not contain such confusion. He was Sesshomaru, the lord of the west. This was not the life he had set for himself; but this was the life that had sought him out. Did he truly wish to let any part of it go?
But if he did know, what would he do with that truth? Would he take his haha-ue's life? Would he even tell the hanyou that it was his haha-ue that had been responsible for their chichi-ue's death? What purpose would that serve? Would his chichi-ue even wish for him to take his revenge for him? Sesshomaru remained uncertain. Until recently, he had never experienced such uncertainty. But this indecision was a result of having other lives under his control. He no longer saw things in a manner that affected him only. He could not afford to.
We are all one big family now.
That is what Akatsuki had said. But would knowing the truth mean he wished to end that? Or would it simply settle the discomfort growing in his heart?
In some ways, he had to admit it was ironic; the one person he believed had initiated his altered life may be the one person he should be grateful to. So should he be, or should he discover her true involvement and take her life? Akatsuki did not want that. She did not believe it would prove anything. The odd part about that was he did not believe it would either. He had already exceeded his chichi-ue's power. What would it benefit him to know of his haha-ue's involvement? But this insane need to know had to be addressed. If he did not take her life as payment, though; would anything she did or did not do, even matter?
Turning to watch as Inuyasha fiddled with the dojo's equipment and gis, Sesshomaru knew had things been different, his brother's life would also have been different. No, he did not believe he would have known their chichi-ue because he, himself, would have taken his life long before the hanyou had knowledge of anything. But even though his brother's life may not have been so different then, it would surely be different now. But his life may well have been different in so many ways. Without the use of the Tetsusaiga to temper their chichi-ue's youkai blood that flowed within him, would the hanyou have killed those friends of his so long ago? Would he have fallen to Naraku's will without the sword that was bequeathed to him?
Deciding to push aside such uncertain thoughts for now, the youkai lord proceeded with his daily Kenjutsu training sessions.
Two hours later, after the training session, another thing Akatsuki did not enjoy was watching when Inuyasha asked his elder brother if he would like to work with him and set up a weekly sumo competition in the dojo. He had done that as a result of her previous request, but he did not seem to notice the tenseness that had consumed his brother during the day and surged through him even now. If he had, he would know now was not the time to broach such a subject. In fact, he should have known when the youkai lord out right declined by saying he had no desire to participate in such frivolous activities, nor had he any interest in hand to hand or bodily contact, that he should simply let the subject drop. Sesshomaru, though, in his customary detached manner, informed the hanyou, that he could set up any activity that suited his fancy, he need not bother him with such trivialities.
Akatsuki liked watching even less, when Inuyasha decided his only option was to try to goad his brother into participating.
"Ahh, come on, what are you scared of?" Inuyasha taunted. "You afraid you can't take down your little brother anymore?"
"I fear nothing," Sesshomaru said in his typical fashion, for what seemed the thousandth time in his life; not relishing in the least, being questioned in such a manner. "I am the daiyoukai of two regions of land. Such antics would be beneath someone of my status. But do as you so choose," the youkai lord said as he turned to depart the dojo.
"You arescared," Inuyasha rushed around in front of him to block his exit, gloating as he pushed his palms against Sesshomaru's chest, attempting to shove him backwards, almost as if to show him how inferior he would be when challenged.
"Do not waste your time, Inuyasha. I will not engage," Sesshomaru responded stiffly.
"Why not? How scared can you be?" Inuyasha teased, pushing against the youkai lord's chest once more.
"I said, do not bother, Inuyasha," Sesshomaru's tone had tensed, which should have placed the hanyou on alert, but instead, he bounced in front of the youkai lord taking up an offensive stance, his palms splayed at his side as he flailed his clawed fingers.
"Come on old man, show me what you got?" Inuyasha demanded, shoving against his brother's chest yet again.
"You would be wise to take this old man's advice and move on," Sesshomaru snared, weary of the hanyou's useless antics. "Your proposition is of no interest to me. I do not have time to spend on your pointless distractions."
"What's the matter? You don't know how to have fun?" Inuyasha demanded, either not noticing the daiyoukai's lack of patience, or not caring. "Don't you want to show your guards that you're not just some stuck up youkai?"
"As I said, I am in no mood to do anything of the sort," Sesshomaru snorted as he turned away, only to see the hanyou dance around to the front of him once more.
"Goodness, you're supposed to be a powerful youkai lord," the hanyou declared almost too gleefully. "How can you be afraid of engaging in a little hand to hand?"
"Enough, Inuyasha," Sesshomaru replied with cool fortitude. This was the side of the hanyou that he found most difficult to understand - his stubborn hot headed persistence in always wishing things to go his way. Yes, the youkai lord could now admit that he regretted not being there for him when he was young, but could Inuyasha not understand that as the lord of two territories, this daiyoukai's freedom was not always his to command.
"No, I wanna see what you can do," Inuyasha persisted. "Are you telling me without your sword, you're useless?"
Sesshomaru shot him a sharp glare. "This Sesshomaru is never useless. I said I have no interest. But do as you choose."
"What good would it be if the lord of the castle does not participate?"
"I care not what good it is," Sesshomaru grunted once more. "I know only that I will not participate, and you had best realize that."
"So, is this how you're going to run you castle?" Inuyasha refused to relent. "Walking around with your nose stuck in the air, like you're too good to associate with the workers?"
Sesshomaru did not respond, simply eyeing the hanyou cautiously. In many ways, he would say he did not believe most of the youkai in his court were even worthy of associating with this daiyoukai. He knew had circumstances been different, if he did not have so many lives under his protection, he would never have utilized half of them. He, alone, was a more potent weapon.
He may not have understood why Akatsuki's clan had not been warriors when first they met, but at least they had reasons. But even more, he did not understand how a youkai could call themselves warriors and be incapable of fighting. And that, unfortunately, was the case with most of his youkai guards.
Still not willing to forgo his objective, Inuyasha pranced around in front of Sesshomaru yet again and pushed the issue as well as the daiyoukai. "I thought you'd changed," he declared. "But are you telling me you're still that same stuck up youkai you've always been."
"I said ENOUGH, .a," Sesshomaru demanded, now completely weary of his brother's little game. "It is clear you are the one who has not changed. Why do you not behave like an adult for once in your life?"
"Adult? If being an adult means I have to walk around like I got a rod stuck up my ass all day, then you can just forget that. The one stuck up yours is enough for both of us," he blurted out with little thought.
Sesshomaru spun and unleashed a powerful, full on backhand blow against the hanyou's jaw, sending him flying across the dojo's floor.
Stunned, Inuyasha lifted his hand as he tasted the blood on his lips. "That's it isn't it?" he squawked with anger filled eyes. "That's your fun, isn't it? Your only purpose in life is to beat up the stupid hanyou, isn't it?"
Sesshomaru's eyes clouded in confusion. That was not his intent. For so long, he had thought little of the hanyou. For so long, his intent had been to kill him; but no more. They had been making great progress; or at least, he thought they were. Why had he done that? He was annoyed, but he was not so uncontrollably angered, was he? But that hanyou's mouth was often more than he could stand. Was this simply a sign that it was indeed like the hanyou had said? His only objective was to defeat him at every turn; that they could never be true brothers?
Is that why you want to kill me? Because you couldn't kill him?
The youkai lord moved forward only to see the hanyou spring to his feet, direct a ferocious glare toward him then spin and rush out of the dojo. Sesshomaru moved to follow.
"Sesshomaru," Akatsuki called as she rushed up behind him. "Let him go. He is too angry and hurt now. You will make no progress. Allow him time to settle down."
"Forgive me my lady, I did not intend for you to see that."
"No, my love, it is I who ask your forgiveness."
Sesshomaru turned a puzzled gaze toward her.
Akatsuki explained what she had asked Inuyasha to do some time ago and why. She explained that she had not realized he would be so bent upon not accepting his challenge. Sesshomaru informed her that it was not so much that he was so determined not to, as much as he had no thoughts of doing any such thing at a time when things were so unsettled in his castle. He had hoped Inuyasha would have realized that his concerns were elsewhere for now. Akatsuki asked how he would have known of such a thing, if not told. Sesshomaru explained that he had indeed expressed his concerns to him over the past weeks.
Unsettled by his actions, Sesshomaru looked down into her eyes. "I am afraid it matters not what I have told him. I am certain, he will never forgive me."
"Do not make such assumptions," Akatsuki advised him, in an attempt to lift his spirits. "He will. But I do not believe he understands what happened."
"Nor do I," Sesshomaru said, glancing toward the dojo's exit.
"That is why you should simply give him time."
"As you say, my love."
Akatsuki also did not enjoy her return to their nightly chat session in the living area. Yes, Rin was as lively and chatty as ever. Jaken, however, was his usually grumpy self. Her love was as silent, yet attentive to her needs, as always, but Inuyasha, who had not bothered to show up until two hours later, seemed distant and remote. Despite trying to draw him into the conversation on several occasions, the hanyou had grunted a one or two word response before cloaking himself once more in an armor of silence.
Akatsuki could not help but think this was all her fault. But then, that was her nature. She was not simply a life sorceress, she lived it. Her only thought now, was to assist those she encountered in any way possible, and this was her family that was in pain now. She had to find some way to correct this.
"My lord, will you get Ashira or Bathera and have one of them meet me in our room?" Akatsuki asked swooning slightly, hating her deception; but she needed to speak to Inuyasha.
"Is something wrong, should I not assist you?"
"No, I will be fine. Just please get Ashira or Bathera."
"I will," the youkai lord said as he left his seat and the room and headed toward the western wing of the castle.
"Inuyasha, will you accompany me to my room?" Akatsuki whispered once Sesshomaru had departed.
"Sure," the hanyou leapt from his seat to assist her.
"Jaken will you watch Rin until either Lord Sesshomaru or Inuyasha returns?"
"Yes, melady," the little youkai grunted his acceptance though what he wanted to say was 'for what'? They were in the castle for goodness sakes. Why on earth did the foolish girl need watching? Who would bother her? But if he declined, he would have not only his lady's but his lord's power and anger to contend with.
"But wouldn't Sesshomaru have been able to fly you upstairs?" Inuyasha asked, clutching onto Akatsuki's arm with fear of her falling as they departed the living area.
"I am fine, Inuyasha," Akatsuki responded, once she believed they were far enough away. "I will speak to Sesshomaru later, but I wanted to talk to you, now."
"To me," Inuyasha asked, his eyes narrowing. "About?" he wanted to know, looking uncomfortable as he released Akatsuki's forearm. His fear now was that his brother would return and beat him up for daring to touch his lady.
"I am sorry about what happened this afternoon," Akatsuki said, coming to a stop and turning to look into his eyes. "I know you did that per my request, but I am afraid Sesshomaru did not respond as I had hoped."
"Yeah, well that's the way he always is," Inuyasha responded, his voice soft and forlorn. "I told you, he doesn't know..."
"No, it is not that," Akatsuki interjected. "Walk with me," she requested turning to move up the stairs. "I hope you to understand that Sesshomaru is under a great deal of pressure of late." There were likely years of hatred and ill will between them to overcome, but her family had never lived under such clouds of loathing, she could not allow her new family to do that now. "It is not that he cannot handle it, but there are many things consuming his thoughts. Not the least of what has happened to me in the recent past," she said closing her eyes, as those thoughts once more assaulted her brain. "All these changes in his life, is something he is unused to. His reaction was based on reflex alone, I suppose. He regretted it the moment it happened, but I believe he has not yet learned to apologize to another warrior."
"Warrior hell, he doesn't think..."
"Yes he does, and you know he does," Akatsuki paused momentarily. "You would not be his general if he did not. But I believe he wanted to. Did you not see the pain in his eyes?"
"Huh? Pain in his eyes? " Inuyasha snipped, staring with wide-eyed disbelief. "What pain? That youkai doesn't know a damned thing about pain. All I saw was his hatred for me."
"No, do not think that. He does not hate you Inuyasha. In fact, he has been trying to understand you better. Have you not seen that?" She questioned him, hoping that he could see the Sesshomaru that she saw. But she knew that unlike her, Inuyasha could not see beyond their previous history, and that pained her greatly. "Do you not know that when I went to him to tell him of your need when you came to Princess Edera, that I sensed many things in his heart that I thought impossible to accept, because the life he lived was so different from my own?"
Inuyasha remained silent as he reflected on her words. He could tell her that she was a female and even that stuck up brother of his, apparently had needs that she could hold back to get him to do what she wanted, but that would be cruel. He liked her and did not want to hurt her. He still could not forget that without her assistance, he would be dead now. After a few minutes, he spoke. "You know, sometimes I do feel close to him..., like... like a real brother," he said looking at her. "But him, I don't know; at other times I feel further apart from him than...,"
"I know you two have some unpleasant history, and I am sorry for that."
"Why are you apologizing for his life? You had nothing to do with that."
"No, I did not. I could say I am doing that because I am a life sorceress, but the truth of it is because he is my mate. His issues are my issues and mine are his; just like you are now my brother. I wish for us all to make a new start, if possible; to learn to live with each other; to trust each other. Though I can no longer sense Sesshomaru's heart and truly know his pain, I now believe I know his true character," the youkai lady said, awed at the responsibility her love had taken on, knowing how much he would have hated such an obligation in the past. "At this moment, he is carrying a burden that only he alone can relieve himself of. But it is not just the burden of a lord he must contend with. It is the burden of a caregiver; of the head of an empire; of a father, an uncle, a mate and an older brother. You must know that during those years when he thought of building his empire, Sesshomaru would never have conceived of it containing so many under his protection. I am certain he believes his life has changed so dramatically and so suddenly. It is my responsibility to be at his side during these trials."
The youkai lady and the hanyou moved to the castle's upper level. "And I am certain he is looking to you to be a commander in his court; meaning someone who knows his thoughts, even when unspoken. He needs you to be his right hand, to work with him as a part of the whole. You two are of the same blood, of the same nature, two halves of the whole. He needs you to think as he does, to see as he does, to question as he does and to understand as he does," Akatsuki glanced across her shoulder to study him. "Yes, he needs to learn to have fun, but we cannot rush him. He has lived longer than you, but his life has also been different. He is unaccustomed to being the center of so many worlds. During your life, you have explored all those emotions he is just now learning to accept within himself. Just give him time. He is changing, but he cannot do that overnight, despite our desire to have it be done now. But he is doing that for oursake as well as his own. Let us allow him to change at a pace that he alone finds comfortable, and I guarantee you, he will get there."
"I guess you're right. I knew he was having a difficult time lately, and I just thought..." Inuyasha grew silent as he lowered his head. "I guess I just pushed too hard at the wrong time, but I'm sure he thinks I do that all the time. I just thought like you said, that he needed to have some fun and thought I could do that then, but I guess I didn't pay attention to what he was telling me," Inuyasha said without looking at her. "He is fortunate that he found you to love, do you know that?"
Akatsuki's eyes lighted as she turned up the corners of her lips. "No, I am fortunate that I have found him to love and that he loves me. There are two sides to every coin."
With Akatsuki fully recovered three weeks later, the youkai lord and his lady set out to the western lands. Sesshomaru could not say he was enamored of making either of the stops on their list, but for Akatsuki's sake as well as his own, he would do whatever was required.
The first stop found them at the Suzaku compound amidst all manner of gushes and congratulations, floods of kisses, and otherwise useless fanfare as his lady entered and the entire cast of female youkai immediately scented that they were with child. The youkai lord fought to restrain his annoyance as they awaited Akatsuki's parents. He loved his lady and supposed these youkai did as well, but he did not understand such frivolous displays. To observe such reactions, one would think they had overcome some impossible feat and created the child with sorcery.
Feeling as if he, himself, had lost something vital, the Kokuō, after close scrutiny of his daughter made no attempts to contain his disappointment over the fact that his first grandchild would not be a Suzaku sorceress. Apparently, the youkai lord's seed was so potent, that his daughter was actually expecting not only a male, but an obake warrior as well. There had not been an obake in the Suzaku compound since they had been cursed by their forefathers. In truth, it made him wonder if his own seed was lacking in power.
Four days later, it was yet another warm, late summer afternoon as Sesshomaru and his lady found themselves at the edges of one of the forests of the western lands waiting for the arrival of the youkai lord's haha-ue, which still had not come despite three days of patient waiting. With Akatsuki seated on the ground beside him, the youkai lord's position remained fixed and determined as he stood, gazing up toward a backdrop of cloud filled sky.
"How much longer are you going to wait, my love?"
"She knows I am here. If she is hesitant to confront me, it is because she has some idea as to why I am."
"Do you believe she will not see you?"
"She will see me," his voice tensed as he spoke. "Because she will soon realize that I will not leave until this is done."
"Perhaps it is me she does not wish to see."
"She will see us both," Sesshomaru responded his voice raspy. "Neither of us has come all this way to be denied."
Curling her legs beneath her, Akatsuki knew her love was troubled by the planned events, yet still hoped this day would not end the way Sesshomaru implied it may. "Can you not locate the castle yourself?"
"I will not dishonor her until she proves she deserves it. But if she does not show herself soon, I shall assault her castle as I did Edera's."
"Is this the primary reason you have no interest in sorcery, my love?"
"I have no interest in sorcery because I am a powerful warrior and have no need of such, as well as no need to hide."
"I see," Akatsuki said, certain his response meant 'yes'. How else could he so glibly discuss the possibility of having to take his mother's life if not for the fact that she was a sorceress or deeply in league with one. "Well I am a powerful sorceress. I can both locate her palace and likely open any shield that shelters her. There is no need to assault the castle." Akatsuki said, knowing the hatred she had sensed in him for sorceresses had originated somewhere. Nothing else could explain the youkai mother's palace in the clouds.
"That may well be what she deserves," Sesshomaru responded with little emotion, as if in an attempt to cling to some anger he was certain he needed to possess before he encountered his haha-ue.
"But not from you," Akatsuki protested, while wondering how fruitless her words were. She had said the same thing repeatedly over the past weeks, but her love remained determined. But she could not understand where his hatred truly originated. He had spoken little of his mother when she had asked; simply saying she was not a youkai that minced her words, nor was she all kindness and gentle thoughts. Soon, she would be able to form her own opinion. Her love was the lord of two regions, whatever decision he made, she would support. But still, she had to say it. "No matter what you believe now, she is still your mother and you should respect her as such, should you not?"
"Akatsuki, I have one further question regarding that meidou seki," Sesshomaru said across his shoulder, seeming to not hear her words, his gaze remaining fixed toward the sky. "If I wore one around my neck, would my life be restored if I died in battle?"
"There should be no reason it should not be," Akatsuki said, wondering why he was asking such a question. "But in truth, you should not die. The stone would provide a continuous life force, as long as you have not exceeded your third restoration limit."
"I see."
A slight throbbing pulse of the Tenseiga humming at his hip caused the youkai lord to glance down, before refocusing his gaze upward. A few seconds later, a gentle breeze kicked up around them, wafting the youkai lord's hair about his shoulders as leaves bustled lazily in its wake.
Akatsuki could sense it, the powerful aura of dark magic approaching. It had been so long since she had been so close to it, but it was the memory of those nightmares these past weeks that caused her blood to run cold. Was it her? It must be; who else? Akatsuki was certain the magic she sensed approaching was the magic encased in a meidou seki as she rose to her feet and looked to the heavens. Then she saw her, as a wisp of white fur emerged from behind the clouds. A beautiful and elegant forty foot fully transformed white inu, sailing gracefully across the skies; but the meidou seki nowhere to be seen. Could she have been wrong? But no, it was apparent she had absorbed even that during her transformation.
The youkai lord's eyes narrowed, as he spotted behind the distant clouds, what appeared to be a familiar sight and left his feet. His golden eyes transformed to a vibrant amber color. The youkai lord's mouth and fangs extended into the shape of a well formed snout, his fangs glistening against the late afternoon sun as he flared his youkai, initiating his own transformation and joined the white inu soaring through the skies above him.
The now fully transformed youkai lord moved his fifty foot frame as he circled the smaller, daintier; though still quite large other inu in the briefest of dances. Akatsuki had never before sensed such powerful demonic aura as she sensed now from the two of them and she could not help but awe at their magnificent splendor. She could even say she felt a touch of envy. They were truly beautiful, both of them, as their bodies spiraled in a long, graceful, intertwining fluffy loop and they sailed downward in a powerful, yet swift fervor, then seemed to explode as they crashed into the ground with a thunderous thud as the earth spiraled upward in a thick cloud of rubble and dust.
By the time the dust had settled, they were both standing there in their sealed forms. The mother was as elegant as the son, her mokomoko draped around her shoulders as well as the hem of her kimono. Her hair, the same silver white coloring as Sesshomaru's, but pulled back in two distinct tails. The youkai lady waited as they began to converse.
"So, Sesshomaru, once again, you have come to visit your haha. You had not visited me in over 200 years, and now you have come for a second time in less than two," the youkai mother said in a tempered voice, quiet and not the least bit threatening. "But I do not believe it is because you have further questions about the Tenseiga your chichi left you."
"No, it is not."
She met his eyes with a steadfast gaze. "But you do have questions, do you not?"
Akatsuki waited in the distance as she seemed to go unnoticed by the youkai mother.
"Yes, I do," Sesshomaru said as he turned in a sign to motion Akatsuki forward.
"I assumed as much," the youkai mother issued an awkward grin as she turned and once more took to the skies, but in her sealed form this time.
Sesshomaru and Akatsuki followed behind her. A few minutes later, they were standing at the base of a set of oversized stairs leading the way to the lowest level of the youkai mother's palatial palace in the clouds. The youkai lord and his lady proceeded to walk up the long flight, though the youkai mother had flown ahead to her throne.
"So Sesshomaru, to what do I owe this pleasure?" she asked in an indulgent tone once they had reached the upper level. She had taken up the position of a lady of status addressing her subjects. Her back was perfectly erect; her arms poised at her sides, her legs angled away from her son and his lady.
"Do you truly have no knowledge?" Sesshomaru asked in an indifferent tone.
Studying Akatsuki as she stood beside her son, the youkai lady directed her words to Sesshomaru, though her gaze remained focused on Akatsuki. "You have brought a youkai female this time, I am surprised."
"This is Akatsuki, my mate," Sesshomaru said without fanfare.
"Your mate?" his mother said with apparent alarm, while continuing to study the female youkai not ten feet away from her. "So, it is true after all. I have heard rumors of such," her emotionless golden eyes traversed Akatsuki's frame. "You shunned your cousin on the mainland, saying you would never mate. Yet, you have taken a non-obake. Does this mean you no longer seek power?" she studied the youkai lord in puzzlement. "Does this mean you have allowed your warrior status to sink to a level where you can settle for a non-warrior, a member of the Suzaku clan, of all youkai," she asked, acknowledging Akatsuki painstakingly at last.
"My status has not, and will never sink and I have settled for nothing," Sesshomaru responded with defiance, hating the way she always threw out such useless insinuations.
"Come here, my dear," the youkai mother told the youkai lady. Her nose had already told her the truth of this fact, but she rested her hand against Akatsuki's belly nonetheless. "And, she is with child; a son," she said almost in amazement. "Hmmph, so, my son has taken a mate, and is producing an heir, but..." the youkai mother paused as she scented the female youkai in front of her, yet again. "You are producing a... warrior. Interesting," she blinked her amazement, knowing enough about the Suzaku clan to know this fact was unprecedented. "It appears my son's seed is as powerful as his chichi's if not more so," the youkai mother lifted a single brow, issuing a slight smile. "But she is quite lovely Sesshomaru, such flawless, golden skin. Interesting. Your choices are so ..., unpredictable," the youkai mother said, turning a discerning gaze toward her son.
"I had always thought you had inherited some of your chichi's odder traits," the lady mother focused a discerning gaze toward her son. Had her son obtained the best of both worlds? A youkai, who in her eyes, contained more human traits than humans themselves. "I was certain when you brought that human girl here, that your intent was to do your chichi one better, by growing and nurturing you own consort."
Akatsuki could not help but think that her love was correct. His mother was not all kindness and gentle thoughts. She chose her words with care, as would be expected from a lady of her status, but an insult lurked behind her every thought.
"So, it was your mouth and not your appetite that drove chichi-ue away," the youkai lord retorted, though his emotions remained tempered, his golden gaze narrowed as he addressed his haha-ue.
Akatsuki knew that a sword was her love's weapon, but words, were clearly the youkai mother's weapon of choice. With a serene look and a subtle smile, her intent was to both wound and ridicule with every expression, whether verbally or expressively.
A pair of incensed golden eyes focused on her son.
Akatsuki stared at them both. When she had requested Sesshomaru allow them to meet, she'd had no idea what she was asking. Now, it was clear how her love's character had developed. It was equally clear why he had requested she sense his mother's heart; the lady was deception incarnate.
"Has she enchanted you with her beauty or her magic?"
Akatsuki stared at her. Surely she did not truly believe she had enchanted anyone. "Pleased to meet you my lady mother," Akatsuki said with a generous smile, despite the snide retort. She would not stand there and allow her or anyone else to question her honor. Returning the youkai mother's penetrating gaze, she blinked her eyes as she focused on her love for a moment. "If it pleases you to think so, then believe what you will," her shoulders straightened a bit. "But I am certain you are well aware your son could not possibly be enchanted by mere magic. Though Sesshomaru requires no assurances, I will say only that I am not a youkai who need utilize my magic for such insignificant advantages. Your son's will is far too powerful to command." Akatsuki responded with her own lilting smile and narrowing gaze. "I may well have been wrong in my desire, but I came here specifically to meet you so that you would know your son has mated and that we are with child. But let me say, if you care not, then neither do I. I may well not be a warrior, but do not mistake me. I am quite capable of defending myself."
"Are you challenging me, my dear?"
"You know I am not, but if that is your wish, I will not back away, my lady."
The lady mother studied her intently before responding. "No, I do not believe you would. I scent such power within you, but I also sense such fire in your temper; perhaps you are more worthy of my son, than I thought. But your lady," the lady of the west snipped her reply. "I suppose I can hardly be called yourlady, since I am quite certain my son has come to depose me," she said directing a narrowed golden gaze toward Sesshomaru.
"Hmm," the youkai mother purred, flipping her pony tail back, then curling her fingers beneath her chin. "But Sesshomaru, I would say she is a true fire cat. Apparently, you have chosen well."
"Your opinion is unimportant," Sesshomaru responded, reflecting back at her through a narrow, disinterested gaze. "I neither need, nor want your sanction."
Akatsuki could not help but think her mannerisms seemed so much like how she had thought Sesshomaru's were when first they met, so cold and dispassionate. But her love had turned out to be nothing like she had thought. She decided perhaps she should not judge her lady too harshly either. Surely, it was only a front they had developed to enforce their role of rulers of this land. Because of her foolish misconceptions, Sesshomaru had let her go after she had attempted to escape him. If he had not come for her, she would not be the youkai who shared his love. She would not allow herself to judge his mother on her previous knowledge or what she initially sensed in her, which was indeed not kindness.
"No, I suppose not; I am well aware that you are currently building a castle in the south eastern part of this region, but no daiyoukai and his mate can be without a castle."
"We have no need for this castle," Sesshomaru stated flatly.
Akatsuki wondered if her love's lack of affection toward his mother incited her to respond in the manner she did.
"No need...?"
"We reside in the southern lands for now," Akatsuki volunteered; but wondered if she should have held her tongue when she received a sharp glance from her love. Did he not want her to know where they resided?
"Southern lands?" the lady of the west puzzled.
"Sesshomaru has conquered that land, some time ago."
"Conquered the southern lands? But, of course, my son tells me nothing, so why am I surprised?" she smiled, lifting her hand and waving it with a dismissive gesture. "But I am surprised you have taken a youkai mate Sesshomaru. When you brought that human girl here, I was certain you would be more like your father - possessing a passion for young human females," She said again, refusing to allow that subject to falter. If she had surmised Sesshomaru's intent, it was clearly hers to rattle him; she had no desire of having her deposition occur without a fight.
"Ridiculous," the youkai lord snared in an angered though even tone. "I have not come for useless conversation."
Akatsuki gasped, then wished she had not uttered a sound when two sets of golden eyes peered at her; each likely having a different opinion of her reaction. But she did not understand. Why had her love not told her there was such mistrust between him and his mother? But in truth, had he not?
"We are here because I have questions,"
"Questions? Well, of course you do. I hardly thought you had come for the express purpose of informing your haha that you have mated, nor because of your expected bundle of joy."
"We are here, is that not enough?"
"I suppose it has to be. Your dear haha is no longer a part of your life, so if the only time you pay her a visit is to ask questions about your sword or whatever you have questions about now, I suppose I should consider that quite generous, should I not? Otherwise, I would never see the face of my beautiful boy."
"Have you ever heard of a youkai named Balthazar?"
"Well, of course, I do have a meidou seki, do I not?"
"Why had I never heard of him?"
"You had never shown any true interest in ruling, and Balthazar is no more than a minor irritant."
"Is that why you have that stone?"
"I am certain you are already aware why. But is that truly the question you have for me, my son?"
"You said chichi-ue gave you the meidou seki. Why did he do that?"
"When I restored the life of that human girl, I knew it was only a matter of time before you returned."
The youkai mother peered at her son, then turned a discerning gaze toward his mate. "Is that why you have brought a life sorceress? Do you truly propose to test the honesty of you haha?"
"Concern yourself, not with her. There is no test, if you simply answer the question. Why did chichi-ue give you the meidou seki?"
"And why do you seek answers that you clearly already possess? I can see from your expression that you already have the answer you seek."
"I ask only to hear from your mouth, your response."
"Your insolence is disrespectful."
"It is the fruit of that which you have given birth."
"So is it your desire to distress your haha?"
"Such hollow words."
"Is it truly the meidou seki you have questions about, or do you truly question why your chichi even died that night?"
Akatsuki stared at her, but Sesshomaru did not even flinch. What was happening here? Clearly they were having a conversation to which they both knew the answers. Had something happened of which she was unaware? Sesshomaru had not said, but would her answers support his reasons why he would not want his mother in their lives? She could no longer sense Sesshomaru's heart, but should she sense his mother's to get a better idea of what was truly going on here? But whatever issues they had, it was Sesshomaru's alone to resolve.
"Do you not wish to know why your chichi left your haha?"
"I have no interest in your domestic issues."
"No, I would not expect you would. But I will tell you everything regardless."
"I only wish to know why chichi-ue gave you that stone."
"And why do you think he would do that? Surely not to monitor that Balthazar you asked about. Why did you ask that?" she clutched the seki securely with her palm as if in an attempt to conceal it from his vision; which was silly; because even if unseen, its location was clearly known.
Sesshomaru rolled his golden gaze. "The meidou seki, when did he give it to you and why?" He persisted.
The western lady directed her narrowed eyed gaze toward the youkai lord. "So, if I am not mistaken, my son has suspicions, does he not. And you have brought a life sorceress to determine if I will speak the truth, did you?"
"Do not presume to guess my intent. There is no point. You will tell me what I wish to know."
"What you wish to know? Or do you mean what you wish to hear?"
Sesshomaru did not respond. Either way, she would provide the answers to his questions.
The lady of the west studied her son with an anguished gaze, then turned a pair of narrowed golden eyes toward his mate. "You areone of those Suzaku life sorceresses are you not?"
"Yes, my..."
"I said do not concern yourself with her, simply answer the question."
"Did you know it was I who chased that woman into your chichi's arms? I, the lady of the west," she lowered and shook her head. "I am certain you would have known better my dear. I understand members of your clan can see the future."
"My abilities are incapable of assisting me in my life choices."
"I see," she turned back to face Sesshomaru, closing her eyes briefly. "You are aware that your chichi and I were together for nearly 1000 years before he decided to leave some 200 years before his death," she said directing her gave toward Akatsuki. "Do you truly believe you will be with my son for even half as long?"
"Do not address her. Answer my questions only."
"Your questions?" she snapped her head back. "Perhaps I am wrong. Perhaps she will outlast your haha in her mate's bed, especially if she is not one for late night delicacies," her eyes narrowed slightly. "You have changed so much, my son. You take a non-warrior sorceress as your mate and surprisingly, you are so very protective of her," she said, then studied her son, who stood before her with an uncomfortable grimace pervading his features. "Are you... in love, Sesshomaru?" She questioned with a scrunch of her brows and a sway of her head, an obvious indication that she considered such a characteristic a weakness, as she focused her attention on Akatsuki once more.
Having received neither affirmation nor denial, the youkai mother pressed forward. It was clear her son had changed but it was equally evident that he still had no desire to share his life with her. "I cared not about his conquests of other youkai female," the lady mother declared with a look of resigned acceptance. "He was nothing but a male, after all - so weak of the flesh. But to take a human female and grace her with his seed, was despicable and unforgiveable."
"What did you care, surely you did not love him."
"Love him. No, I suppose not. But I was his mate, his co-ruler. He had pledged himself to me. Was I supposed to rule these lands while my mate was off with some human whore?" She demanded of the son as if speaking to the father.
"But back to your questions," she refocused her attention. "Well your chichi gave me this stone five months before he died and told me how to use it. He said it would be a test for you to assist in empowering Tenseiga. He said, it would place you in danger, but if you died during your confrontation in the meidou, I should not feel fear or sadness, because I could restore your life with this stone," she said, looking down and once more grasping the meidou seki that graced her neck. "But he also said, 'If you ever hear that I have died, use this stone to restore my life.' Of course, I did not realize until much later that he was testing my devotion to him. Something I would never have thought I possessed. I believe he had this stone created for the express purpose of doing just that. But your chichi was a thinker; too much of one, I would say," she said, reflecting on Sesshomaru, knowing that was just one of the many characteristics he had picked up from his chichi. "He had always been so. Clearly, he did not trust me, and made other arrangements as well. But then I suppose I was the last one he should trust, seeing as how I was the one who placed him in a position to lose his life," she eyed Sesshomaru firmly.
"And how did you do that?"
"As I am certain you are aware, I was the one that told that Takemaru he would be there when that hanyou was born. I told him what day it would be. But I told him to go there the day before. I wanted that woman and that half breed dead. I did not know that human would be so stupid that he would wait until the day your chichi would surely show himself. But then, humans are not the smartest of beings."
"Do you take me for a baka? If you did not wish him to appear on that day, what reason would you have to tell him when the child would be born? You wished chichi-ue's death and so you informed Takemaru of when to show himself; enabling him to prepare with an entire army."
"Not true. In fact, I did not wish his death. I simply wanted him to suffer as I have. I had hoped he would get there too late to save that female, but of course, I foolishly forgot about his Tenseiga."
"Suffer? You know nothing of suffering. If you did not wish him dead, why did you not resurrect him with the meidou seki?"
"In fact, I tried, but alas, his body was gone when I arrived."
"Gone?"
"Yes, I did not know he had died until the next morning. I did not truly believe such a thing was possible, but then, I have since heard that he was mortally wounded before that battle. When I went to him with the meidou seki, his body was not there. And there was nothing I could do. As I said, your chichi was too much of a thinker. I believe he cared not if he lived or died. But I suppose whatever information he possessed, he obtained from one of your kind," she turned her head toward Akatsuki.
The youkai mother stirred from her oversized throne, moving toward her son. She was a mere two feet away as she came to a stop and stared into his eyes. "But I would have saved him, nonetheless."
"I do not believe that."
"Believe what you will, or ask you mate; surely she knows the truth."
Akatsuki did not react.
"You are aware that I should take your life?"
"If that is your wish, it is also your right."
"May I ask you why you have not again mated? Your mate has been dead for over 200 years."
Her eyes widening briefly, then settling, the lady mother turned her head to study Akatsuki with a quizzical look. "Do you not truly know?"
Akatsuki's lips turned upward. "Yes, I believe I do."
"I should send the hanyou here and have him reside in this castle," Sesshomaru stated without sympathy. "But I will not. I, myself, have much to make up for and he does not deserve to be subjected to your insanity. So you may keep your title and this castle, but nothing more," Sesshomaru stated. "Your title will be in name only. You will no longer involve yourself in the ruling of this land. If ever I hear that you have harmed another human, or anyone, I willtake your life," he said with authority, though surprised he had included humans in his statement. He had to admit, even if only to himself, he was truly changing.
Reaching out his hand, Sesshomaru added; "And I will take the meidou seki."
The youkai mother studied him her eyes staunchly discerning.
"You may consider that all you want," Sesshomaru said eyeing her with equal intensity. "But I do not advise you resist me."
Resigning herself, the lady mother removed the necklace from her neck and placed it in his outstretched palm. Normally, it would have been her habit to retort a snippy reply. But she decided it was best not to test her son. She could see that he had changed, and he would not hesitate to take her life.
The youkai lord and his lady departed the western palace, on route to the southern lands.
"Did you sense her heart?"
"Would it matter if I did, or did not?"
"No, I suppose it would make no difference. I have my answers."
"I am pleased my lord," Akatsuki said with a smile as they departed. "Your act was not the act of the youkai I saw when first we met."
"As am I," Sesshomaru turned with a sparkle in his golden gaze. Yes, he had changed considerably since that time. Now, he could say he was settling into that change. "It would have benefited no one to take my haha-ue's life. I did not want you to believe that I am a merciless killer. As I have told Inuyasha once, I have killed mercilessly, because that is the only way to kill. But that is not what I am. Taking her life would not have returned my chichi-ue."
No, it would not. Akatsuki agreed with a smile.
Okay my lovelies,
I had intended to include this scene with Sessy's mom long before Akatsuki and Sesshomaru became mates, but got redirected; anyway, trying to wrap up all the outstanding issues before the end.
As you can see, I did not utilize that Inukimi name that some have taken to calling Sesshomaru's mom any more than I adopted Inu no Taisho for his father. Believe me, it was awkward and uncomfortable constructing this chapter around her lack of name, since she was right there talking; but I thought since Rumiko Takahashi did not give her one, I would not overstep her wisdom and give her a name that does not really suit her, although I took liberties with her character. But oh well, I just didn't feel I should do that with her name.
Okay, so now Lord Sesshomaru has found out what happened when his father died. Yes, his haha-ue put him in that situation, but she would have saved him, but unfortunately, the former lord over planned and didn't tell anyone the entire plan. But who was it who moved his body, will we ever find out, or does that even matter?
Sorry about Sessy getting physical with Inu, but I hadn't included them together in quite some time, and it was hard to figure out what to put, since this is just a side scene without any real significance. Inu and Sessh will appear together again before I end this fic.
I just wanted to mention that I did not intend to put in the greeting part with Sessh and his mom, but after I watched that episode again (a couple of times), and realized that Jaken said Sessh seemed to be searching for something for the past few days, I figured it was probably a ritual type of thing and even though Sessy could probably just go there himself, he waits for her to acknowledge his presence.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed!
Next up: Back to the fray and I guess a little trouble
Akatsuki - (Aurora/Dawn)
baka - (a fool, an idiot, an ass, a jerk, a moron)
chichi - (father)
chichi-ue - (father, the one above you)
daiyoukai - (great demon)
gi - (uniform)
haha - (mother)
haha-ue —- (mother, the one above you)
hyōshō - (symbol)
kokuō - (king)
Meidou Seki - (darkness of hell stone)
obake- (Yōkai/youkai that have the ability to shape-shift)
youkai - (demon)
youki - (dark demon power)
