Disclaimer: I do not own this anime or the amazing characters
Authors note:
Forgive the late update. I found myself in an unfortunate situation called the flu and work. LOL
Now to continue on with this story!
Sesshomaru: what is unfortunate is the fact that I am once again subjected to your thoughts on my life. You human are fortunate that I cannot reach you in the real world.
Me: Oh Boo who. Get over it, you know you love this match up. Sangos hot and goes good with you! Now lets ignore the blah sesshomaru and read about the sesshomaru who is awesome!
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2 days later
The sun beat down on Kyou as he made his way through the gate to the inu lands. His face showed no sign of the anger he currently felt. After leaving the empty village of the slayers he had run into the town elder once again who invited him for tea while he told the tell of the slayers and their demise. After an hour his heart cried out for the female currently at the manor. The elder told him of the young lord kohakus where abouts after Kyou had informed him of the condition in which Sango lady of the slayers found herself in. He did not know her on a personal level but his anger still flamed in his gut at the details of her life. To lose all of her family and people in one day. To come home to a village full of the corpses of the people she loved and then to find hope at learning her brother lives yet only to have that hope crushed by learning that he is a corpses being kept alive by a jewel shard that has him under the control of the same demon who killed off her clan. The same demon who beat her until she was on the verge of death. How could anyone live through this and not wish for death to befall them. To stay so kind and loving. How could anyone be in a room with the person they wish revenge upon and not take his life. Instead to protect another and give up on taking their worst enemy's life. He left to deliver a letter only to learn of this horrible truth. The respect he now felt for this human made him want to protect her from further pain. What will Sesshomaru sama say to this new information. Kyou thought as Raikotsu and Haru closed the gate behind him.
"Hey Kyou welcome back!" Raikotsu yelled down as he waved. Haru walked over and handed a container of water to kyou.
" Hey Raikotus, thank you for the water Haru." kyou answered and took a drink then handed it back.
" You alright? You look angry. Well not really look but its just a feeling I am getting." Haru asked with a frown.
"It's nothing to worry about Haru. I'll send someone with some food for you guys. It's gotta suck being on gate duty for a month." Kyou said as he waved up at Raikotsu.
" Ah this is nothing, It's just until Vangar and bou get back from the south." Raikotsu yelled down.
" Only 2 more weeks and we can be lazy on our days off. Woot!" Haru said as he did a dramatic fist pump into the air.
Kyou laughed and shook his head at haru. " Just don't let Sesshomaru sama hear that or he will put you on poop duty in the barn. I'll catch you guys later gotta make a report." He said as he began walking toward the castle.
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Taking a scroll and opening it Sesshomaru began to read. So he has answered my summons, good. Sesshomaru thought while closing and setting it back on his desk. Pinching the bridge of his nose he leaned back and let out a sigh. I will be meeting with the healer who was present when my father used his poison on a guard to counter that of another. The healer who suggested I use it on the slayer informed me of his name. kotsumaku a healer with unbelievable skill. He retired from the castle after losing his mate when my father was still alive. I am just glad that he answered my summons. He is not obligated to see me since my father released him from service after curing him and saving his life. A demon worthy of respect he should know what has happened. He will a river tomorrow at the suns highest.
A knock upon the study door broke Sesshomaru from his thoughts. The sent of the demon on the other side told Sesshomaru that Kyou had returned. " Enter." Sesshomaru said and watched as the large wooden door opened to reveal his black haired demon friend. The look in kyous eyes when he closed the door and turned to sesshomaru made Sesshomaru raise an eyebrow.
" I have returned my lord." Kyou said with a bow. This alarmed Sesshomaru the only time kyou acted so formal was when he was trying to hold in a rage that threatened to explode from within and cause his demon blood to serge forth.
" What has happened to cause your blood to rage Kyou?" Sesshomaru asked then listened to the story of kyous journey to the slayer village. As the details were reported to him Sesshomarus face slowly grew colder and colder until nothing could be read from his body language. It took about 30 minutes to tell him all that he had seen and all that the elder of the town had revealed to him. Sesshomaru stood and turned to the garden outside of his study window.
" Take the next few days off from your duty's. Once you have calmed and you are rested I would like for you to do something for me. I will tell you of the task when the time comes. Go get dinner and rest Kyou." Sesshomaru said then turned and watched as kyou smiled.
" As you command my lord." Kyou answered and stood then walked out of the office. The door closed leaving sesshomaru alone in his study. Blood dripped from his hand. His closed fist and white knuckles the only show of the rage.
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Noon the next day:
" Welcome Kotsumaku sensei. Sesshomaru sama has prepared a room for you and some refreshments. You must have had a trying journey from the north. Sesshomaru will see you for dinner. Once you have rested. " Anna said as she lead him into the castle and through the halls. He stopped as a healer ran past them yelling to another down the hall leading to the infirmary.
" I do not understand! Her fever has gone up once more. She was stable yesterday and there is no sign of infection!" The healer yelled as he reached the other in the infirmary door way.
" She has had a febrile seizure, I have no clue what is causing this reaction! The poison is gone and the antidote has done it's job she should be getting better but she's not she losing her life energy and I have no clue as to why!" The healer in the door way answered then they both moved into the room. Kotsumaku turned to the direction of the infirmary and began to walk.
" Kotsumaku sensei?" Anna asked as she followed.
" I am curious as to this situation. The sent coming from the infirmary is that of a human and the healers are confused as to what is going on with this human. As a healer it matters not if the patient is demon of royalty, a Snail demon, or human. A case that is challenging is one of rarity and is one I find most interesting." The elder demon with grey long hair pulled back into a braid turned his green eyes to the maid Anna and smiled. The blue strips along his cheeks moved up as his fangs showed. Anna smile back and fallowed the demon dressed in formal robes the colors of blue and grey.
They walked into the infirmary to see 5 healers holding down a human female who was shaking from another seizure. Kotsumaku walked over and placed his hand upon her forehead. He raised an eyebrow. Then walked over to the table full of herbs. He picked up a scroll and opened it. The details of her injuries and the treatments were all recorded. "Hmmm a slayer with no name? Scorpion demon poison in the final stage. over 20 wounds and near fatal blood loss. Jakusa sensei? I know this name. Why would a healer who hates humans take command of this case? Treatments? Firstaid, herbs for infection, poison administration to counter the scorpion poison. Antidote, Prepared by Jakusa sensei administered by maki sensei. Why did Jakusa not administer it himself?" Kotsumaku mumbled to himself then turned to the healer he was ignoring. "You show me the scroll for the antidote." He said as he rolled the scroll in his hands closed.
" Who are you?" Maki asked as he took the scroll from him and narrowed his eyes.
" Kotsumaku." He answered and watched as maki's mouth dropped open.
" Kotsumaku? As in the Kotsumaku sensei? Maki asked as he looked back at anna. Who shook her head yes. Then he looked back at Kotsumaku and bowed.
" Forgive me for being rude Kotsumaku sensei." Maki said then turned and opened a draw. He pulled the scroll out and handed it to Kotsumaku. " This is the antidote Sensei."
Kotsumaku opened it and then his eyes narrowed. " The ingredients here are correct but one is prepared incorrectly. A mistake? No. A healer skilled enough to take command of the others would not make a mistake like this." He said as he layed the scroll on the table and moved over to the shelf pulling a scroll on Rhubarb out.
" Rhubarb?" Maki asked.
"It's not unusual that you do not know of it. It is a plant that can be used in cooking but recently it has been found that it can be used in medicine. Though the leaves are poisonous. They contain anthraquinone glycosides and oxalic acid. It would take an abnormally large amount of rhubarb leaves to kill a person (a 140-pound person would have to consume 10 pounds of leaves), even in small amounts the leaves can make a person ill. Symptoms of rhubarb stalk poisoning include: difficulty breathing, burning in the mouth, diarrhea, eye pain, seizures, and vomiting. Yet if you take into account that the person consuming the leaves is already close to death. It would take a lot less to cause the symptoms of poisoning and since it is new the cause of her illness would be unknown." He answered as he layed it down on the table and moved over to the left over antidote. Lifting the bowl to his nose he smelled and growled.
" What are you trying to say kotsumaku sensei?" Maki asked as he watched him work.
" I am saying that we need to summon Sesshomaru sama at once." He answered the anger in his voice made maki jump and turn to anna.
" Anna summon Sesshomaru sama. It is a matter of urgency." Maki said then froze as Kotsumaku interrupted. " Do not inform jakusa of our findings if you happen to pass him. Go strait to Sesshomaru sama with discretion Anna." Kotsumaku said while he began to sort through the herbs.
" Hai Kotsumaku sensei!" Anna answered then turned and quickly made her way to where sesshomaru is.
" How long ago was the antidote given to her?" He asked maki.
" A week or more." He answered then began to hand kotsumaku the things he needed. The other healers in the room remained silent as they received the command to stay here due to the fact of discretion.
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A knock upon his study door made sesshomaru look up from his scroll. "Enter Inuyasha." He said and then Inuyasha opened the door and closed it behind him.
" Rin is with Kagome, Shippo, and Kirara. She seems to have calmed down and appears more relaxed now. I wanted to know of Sangos condition." Inuyasha said as he took a seat on a chair across from his older brother.
" I see, Though it pains me to thank you I must. Having the kitsune and neko around has helped Rin to feel safe." Sesshomaru answered.
" Would it kill you to just thank me?" Inuyasha asked with narrowed eyes.
" I believe it would. For your head may become the size of this room. Which would in turn crush me." Sesshomaru replied with a smirk.
" Haha very funny."
" The slayer was stable last I heard from the healers- An urgent knock interrupted his words. "What is it?" Sesshomaru asked the person who had interrupted.
" Sesshomaru sama kotsumaku sensei has asked for your presence in the infirmary. He has stated that it is a matter of great urgency. The slayers condition has taken a turn for the worse and he also asked me to be discreet in informing you of this." Anna said as soon as the door was open.
" Discreet? What were his exact words?" Sesshomaru asked as both he and inuyasha stood.
" Anna summon Sesshomaru sama. It is a matter of urgency." Do not inform jakusa of our findings if you happen to pass him. Go strait to Sesshomaru sama with discretion Anna." Anna repeated both maki and kotsumaku senseis words to Sesshomaru then watched as his eyes narrowed and both the brothers walked over to her. They then moved through the door and toward the infirmary.
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Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and Anna walked into the infirmary to chaos. The 4 healers held a shaking slayer down on her side as vomit fell into a bowl held under her chin. The two lead healers were working over time grinding together herbs. Until Kotsumaku saw Sesshomaru enter.
" What is the matter of urgency?" Sesshomaru asked.
Kotsumaku picked up the 3 scrolls and walked over to sesshomaru. Maki took over for kotsumaku as the 4 walked into a separate room.
" I followed a healer into the infirmary when I first arrived due to curiosity for this I wish to apologize sesshomaru sama. This is the scroll of the injuries and treatments for the slayer. I looked over everything and found an error in her treatment. Specifically in the antidote. This is an ingredient used in the antidote called Rhubarb." Kotsumaku said as he handed the scroll to sesshomaru. He watched as he opened it and finished reading.
" Rhubarb why does this plant bring urgency?" Sesshomaru asked confused.
" This plant is used in the antidote. All but the leaves of this plant yet I found traces of the leaves in the left over of the antidote." Kotsumaku answered.
" Yes that would make sense. The scroll spoke of the leaves being toxic. What is it you are implying kotsumaku?" Sesshomaru asked.
" A lead healer would never make such a mistake Sesshomaru sama. Jakusa sensei was the one who prepared the antidote. In the slayers condition even a small amoud of rhubarb toxin would kill her over time. I do not know if you are aware but Jakusa was around when I still worked here. His father was killed because of a human slayer. His hatred for humans is deep my lord. What I imply is he has poisoned this slayer knowingly. I do not just suggest this as a possibility my lord for the one who discovered the medical use for rhubarb is none other then jakusa sensei himself." He answered as he handed the third scroll to sesshomaru. He had found this scroll upon Jakusa senseis desk. It was a scroll of his findings. All of the tests and information on rhubarb signed by jakusa.
" He knows of the toxin and would never make a mistake in using the leaves my lord." Kotsumaku said anger finally showing on the elder demons face.
Inuyasha who had been silently listening exploded. WHERE IS HE IMMA KILL THE DAMN BASTERED!
Before Inuyasha could move Sesshomaru Raced from the room. His eyes began to bleed red. A rage like none before exploded from within him. The healers in the room Jumped at the sound of Inuyashas anger. When the sliding door slammed open they all watched as the raged demon lord raced out of the room. All of them were frightened by the look in their lords eyes. This only happened once when Rin was taken. Whatever was going on here had thrown the emotionless sesshomaru sama into a rage and whoever was the cause of this would pay with their life.
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Kyou had run into Jakusa on the path to the front gate. He was bringing Raikotsu and Haru some lunch.
" Where you headed?" Kyou asked as they walked down the path.
" I have a conference to attend in the east." Jakusa answered with a smile.
" Ah must be a trying journey ahead sensei. Has the slayer stabilized?" He said as he shifted the bentou into his left hand.
" Hai, I left maki in charge of her condition." Jakusa answered kyous question as he looked back to the path ahead. They reached the gate.
" Hey kyou!" Haru and raikotsu yelled from the top of the gate. Haru jumped down and met the two demons.
" Hey! I brought you guys some lunch made by suzume." Kyou said then handed the rapt boxes over to haru.
Haru dropped the boxes and froze a look of dread appeared upon his face as he broke out in a sweat.
" What is it Haru!" Raikotsu yelled down knowing that something was coming. Haru had the power to feel the emotions of near by demons and humans. Mostly he was able to shut it off but when the emotions are strong it invades into his senses.
" Rage. Like none other. I have never felt such a rage as this." Haru said as he began to back away from jakusa. As a sense of fear invaded into his senses " What have you done that it would anger Sesshomaru sama so?" Haru asked as he grabbed Kyous sleeve and jumped back pulling kyou out of the way as Sesshomaru appeared in front of Jakusa. He grabbed Jakusas neck and slammed him into the gate 10 feet away. Inuyasha appeared looking just as angry as his brother and the three others stood confused.
" You will die for your betrayal!" Sesshomaru growled out his eyes becoming more red.
" Betrayal? That bitch deserves no mercy! She looks just like that human bitch that killed my father! She is a slayer! From the same slayer clan that took his life! You betray us lord of the west for showing mercy to that slayer bitch!" Jakusa yelled as he struggled against Sesshomarus hold.
The red took over his eyes completely at jakusas words. Haru began to breath harder as he held his chest. The rage that his lord was currently in was suffocating Haru since he was so close to the demon lord it was stronger then anything he has ever felt.
" You have harmed that which you should not have. You have barred you fangs to me your lord. You have poisoned that which is mine to protect! Now you will die by the weapon you used to betray me!" Sesshomaru said as he released his poison into Jakusas neck. He began to choke and gasp for air. Then he began to scream and shake until his body became limp and lifeless. Sesshomaru couldn't shake the rage. Taking his free hand he plunged his claws into the chest of the dead Jakusa and ripped out his unbeating heart. The red faded and he calmed. He was now able to sense the presence of the four others. Turning to then the look of surprise on their faces was enough to calm him completely. He dropped both the body and heart and turned to Kyou and Inuyasha.
" Kyou Inuyasha meet me in my study there are thing in which me must discuss. Haru Raikotsu throw this piece of shit out of my lands. His sent displeases me." Sesshomaru said then disappeared.
" Hai My lord the three male demons said as Inuyasha watched his brother disappear.
" If he didn't do that I would have. Fucking bastard had the nerve to harm one of my pack! Inuyasha growled out. As he turned and followed his brother.
" What just happened?" Raikotsu asked
" I have never seen or felt Sesshomaru sama in such a rage before." Haru said.
" I believe Jakusa tried to kill the slayer. Why that would send our lord into a rage I do not know the answer to that. I think I should go before im next with the mood our lord is in I do not wish to be punished for taking to long to follow his orders." Kyou answered.
The 2 gate keepers turned to the body and paled then rushed to do as they were told.
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Sesshomaru walked back into the infirmary. All the healers froze and turned to Sesshomaru. The smell of Jakusas blood was strong and all there faces paled when the answer to the situation was finally revealed. Jakusa had betrayed their lord.
" My lord I have given her a remedy that will counter the effect of rhubarb toxin." Kotsumaku said handing him the complete list of herbs and their uses that was used to treat her.
" My lord. I was the one to give her the antidote. I did not prepare it but I was the one to administer it. I will receive what ever punishment you see fit." Maki said as he kneeled in front of Sesshomaru.
" That is not necessary I will not punish a healer who followed my orders. Nor will I punish a healer who followed the orders given by the lead healer. It was Jakusa who betrayed me not you. I will be putting you in charge of her care maki. I have another matter to discuss with Kotsumaku. I will be sending Kyou to watch over her from now on. So expect his arrival.
" Hai my lord." Maki said as he stood and continued his preparation to change the slayers bandages. He also wanted to recheck everything that jakusa sensei had done himself for pre caution.
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The 4 arrived at his study. When sesshomaru sat the meeting began.
" I wish for all present to know of this. So quietly listen." Sesshomaru said.
" I understand the reason for your summon now my lord. Though your father used the same cure. It was on a male guard. The cure is similar to the mating ritual. The exchange of blood and youkai. Though I do not understand on how your demon blood could recognize her as your mate. The antidote contained your blood but your youkai was not included. Did you give her your yokai at a time that was close to the exchange of blood? Kostumaku asked
" I did, She was having a nightmare and her pain caused her to move around and reopen her wounds. So I put her into a dreamless painless sleep. Sesshomaru lied. He would not tell them her pain caused him discomfort.
" Then that means that unknowing the first step of the ritual has been completed. Though she is human. I do not know if the customs is the same as it is for a demon." Kotsumaku said.
" Though I feel kinda irritated that sango is now subjected to being in your company for the rest of her life. I understand that if this did not happen she would be dead. I can tell you now. Sango is a fullmoon slayer. She comes from a royal family of the north. The ancestor of the silver clan a Half demon was her mothers great great great and so on with the greats grandfather. Fullmoon slayers are demon slayers who have demon blood in there ancestry. Mostly all the slayers in her clan come from descendants of these fullmoon slayers which is how they are the oldest clan of slayers. Though now that the blood has mixed many times with that of a human almost no trace can be scented from them. Though some times there is one who is born with great power or a long life span. I believe that this half demon ruled over the north when our great grandfather was the ruler of the west. So the customs is the same. Once a mate is taken it is for life. If you have given her your blood that could be another cause of this reaction. If she has not excepted you as her mate by heart then she may reject it. The ritual of exchange is the same for her clan. But the choice of mate is different. It must be decided by the heart. Also If she excepts you and you do not except her blood in return she will die. Another thing you should know. Sango knows that she is the next lady of the north. She wishes to release her brother from Naraku before they make a decision on who will rule. I believe sango will though. She will never allow her brother to be subjected to more cages and that is what she views lords and ladys as. those without freedom. Her brother will no longer be able to rule without feeling pain. It was by his weapon and hands that their father met his end. The lord of the slayers. If he took his fathers place even though Naraku was the one who pulled the strings he would never be able to forgive himself. So she will most likely be taking his place." Inuyasha said while sighing Kagome was going to flip out at this new information.
" It makes sense now why the towns people call her Lady Sango. They were not apart of the slayer village. So I was wandering why they called her lady. They must also know that she is their next lady. The ruler of the north. Kyou said. Then looked over to sesshomaru.
" I will have you guard her kyou. Never leave her alone. I will not have her put in harms way again." Sesshomaru said then turned to kotsumaku and thanked him for coming and told him to stay as long as he wished and to ask for whatever he wanted.
" I will inform Kagome and miroku of the new information. I can't not tell them after the death of her clan this is the only family she has now." Inuyasha said then turned to leave.
" I understand and Inuyasha. She will wake soon when she does I wish for you to come along when I explain everything to her." Sesshomaru said.
" of corse or she may try to kill you. Sango is one tough woman to handle when she is mad. There were many times I thought she had caught on fire. I even threw her into a stream once because she was so mad I saw flames engulf her whole body. Boy did I regret that. It doesn't take magic beads to slam me into a five foot deep whole when it comes to an enraged sango holding a 5 thousand pound boomerang." Inuyasha said through a laugh. He was happy he could talk to his brother this way. He saw sesshomaru smirk and then he excused himself and headed to where his group was playing by a stream.
Sesshomaru was lost. What in the world had he gotten himself into?