Chapter 10- Through the Rabbit Hole
Tsukichikara splashed her face with water from the river. She looked at her half-demon reflection staring back up at her.
"Father, was it necessary to take possession of Tsukimaru's estates?" Tsukichikara asked.
"It is expected for a demon to take territory when they have defeated an enemy," Sesshomaru replied, leaning against a tree near the river, "You left the estates in her care. That satisfies Tsukimaru."
"Her son didn't seem to agree," Tsukichikara replied.
She took the sword at her side off her belt. Looking at Yuguresaiga glint in the sun, she wondered how well she would have fared against Katsurou without the blade.
"These battles are necessary," Sesshomaru said, watching her, "You will only be recognized as my heir once you have defeated every leader in our lands."
"But what victories are truly my own? I cannot fight without this sword."
"None but you can bring out that sword's power," Sesshomaru replied, "You are the only one Yuguresaiga recognizes as its master. If not, you would be dead."
…
"Congratulations!" Kagome, Miroku, and Sango shouted.
The three of them clanked cups together over the dinner Rin had prepared.
"Must you always make noise when something happens?" Tsukichikara asked, watching Miroku down a cup of sake.
"In these times of war, we must remember how fortunate we are. Let us not forget that our village has fared far better than many others," Miroku said piously.
"You're just looking for an excuse to get drunk," Akito said with narrow eyes.
"I happen to have much to be thankful for," Miroku declared proudly, "My son is a renowned demon slayer, my daughters are married happily, and I have my health."
"Not to mention an entire storehouse full of goods you swindled from all the people you 'aided'," Akito added.
"Give it up," Inuyasha said, scarfing down a huge share of rice and meat.
"I have to admit, it is nice to enjoy life here without having to worry about money," Sango said.
"And since we married off our youngest daughter, we don't have to worry about any more dowries," Miroku nodded.
"I don't think anyone else in the village included a full set of armor and weapons as part of their dowries," Kagome chuckled.
"Why shouldn't trained demon slayers be fully equipped?" Sango asked.
"I just can't imagine housewives slaying demons every day," Kagome said.
"Life is uncertain," Miroku said, "I think we should pay our respects to our in-laws once the snow melts."
"Speaking of marriage," Kagome said slyly, "Did you meet anyone interesting during your travels in Europe, Tsuki?"
"Not really," Tsukichikara replied, eating her rice.
"That's too bad," Rin sighed.
"You humans are far too obsessed with marriage," Jaken said, eating his meat, "Lady Tsukichikara is not even fully recognized by Lord Sesshomaru's household. It's too early for her to marry."
"But I'd like to see her married before I die," Rin said.
"No, that's far too soon," Akito said darkly.
"Why should I marry?" Tsukichikara asked.
"Because you'll fall in love and you can have children," Rin replied, "It's every woman's dream to be a bride to the man she loves."
"I wouldn't know about that," Kagome said.
"Lord Sesshomaru would never allow such a thing," Jaken waved his chopsticks.
"Absolutely not," Akito agreed.
"It's not like we're gonna let some lowlife get together with her," Inuyasha added.
"I believe Tsukichikara's suitors will have not one but three men to contend with," Miroku said, "A difficult path to love indeed. I pray that the lucky man has the fortitude to endure such trials."
"Would all of you stop acting strangely?" Tsukichikara asked.
As the humans laughed at her expense, Tsukichikara caught a whiff of a foreign demon. Inuyasha and Akito looked at the front door with suspicious eyes. Miroku, Sango, and Kagome all reached for their weapons. Kirara hissed at the door.
Tsukichikara grabbed her sword and ran outside. Her father stood in front of the hut, looking in the sky. The one scent was soon joined by several scents of all kinds of demons. A swarm approached from the west, all headed towards the village.
"Looks like we've got trouble," Inuyasha said, drawing his sword.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" one of the demons called.
"Stay your blade until I give word, Inuyasha," Sesshomaru said.
"Like I'm gonna take orders from you," Inuyasha scoffed.
Sesshomaru's eyes glowed red. Tsukichikara felt some kind of binding pressure coming from her father.
"Do not strike until I order it," her father repeated in a growling voice.
Inuyasha's body stiffened.
"Oh! It's the alpha order!" Jaken declared, "I had no idea Lord Sesshomaru could use it!"
"What's that?" Kagome asked.
"It's a power inherit in the bloodline of the alpha male of a dog demon pack," Jaken said, "Only the strongest member of the Inu Clan can use such power. And it means that Lord Sesshomaru recognizes Inuyasha as a member of his clan. That mongrel should be grateful!"
"I'm not feeling really grateful right now!" Inuyasha cried out.
Sesshomaru flew into the sky to confront the demon who called out his name.
"Kensaku, explain," Sesshomaru demanded.
"We have heard of your union with the human woman," Kensaku looked at Rin, who held her crossbow at the ready.
"What of it?" Sesshomaru asked, his hand going to his sword hilt.
"We demand that you kill both the human and the half-demon spawn you have sired. Having a half-breed heir makes you and your clan unsuitable to continue leading us."
"I see," Sesshomaru closed his eyes, "Then you will die."
Sesshomaru drew his sword. Bakusaiga's power ripped the demon army in half.
"Hey Sesshomaru! Let me attack!" Inuyasha demanded, "This is my village these demons are attacking!"
"Very well, whelp," Sesshomaru said.
Free of the alpha order, Inuyasha unleashed the power of Tessiaga. Together, both brothers started to reduce the army to ash.
In her gut, Tsukichikara had a feeling this attack was more than a few dissatisfied demons from the west. Sniffing the air, she caught the aroma of a demon speeding for Inuyasha's forest. Quickly, she took off for the Bone Eater's well.
"Lady Tsukichikara!" Jaken called out, "Where are you going?"
The imp tried to block her way, but Tsukichikara ran passed him. Jaken grabbed the tail of her cape and climbed up to her shoulder.
"You foolish girl, the battle is in the other direction!" Jaken cried out.
"Be quiet," Tsukichikara snarled, listening to the woods for a trace of her prey.
Running as fast as her feet could carry her, Tsukichikara sped through Inuyasha's Forest. Her quarry was making a dash for the Bone Eaters well. His sandals rustled the grass and twigs, making him easy to track with her dog ears.
The demon in shadow reached for something in his clothing. In his hand, an object glowed with a black light. Around her, the air became colder. Tsukichikara squeezed the hilt of her sword. Close by, she smelled the brisk, pure air the sacred tree gave off. They were not far from it now.
The demon's steps halted over the Bone Eater's well. He threw off the hood of his cloak and grinned at her with his sharp fangs.
"Goodbye, little half-breed," he smirked, throwing the object into the well.
He jumped in after it. The well gave off a green, rancid light. Wasting no time, Tsukichikara darted after him and jumped into the sickening aura.
…
Sesshomaru flew towards his daughter's scent. Behind him, he heard the hurried steps of his younger brother and nephew. In the distance, a green light spat from the well near the sacred tree. In a flash, the light disappeared, along with Tsukichikara's scent.
Sesshomaru landed at the well. He felt the wood, feeling the last thing Tsukichikara had touched before her scent was cut off.
"Where are they?" Inuyasha asked.
"The scent stops here," Akito replied.
Inuyasha sniffed the air. Then he darted for the well. Instantly, he leaped passed Sesshomaru into the wooden box. He fell down the hole towards the dirt bottom.
"Any luck?" Akito asked, peering into the well.
"No, it's not working!" Inuyasha called up, "Go get Kagome! She might be able to activate this thing!"
"If Tsuki has landed in the future, we may be able to find her," Akito said, "But if she's in the past-"
"She will fend for herself," Sesshomaru replied, looking down the hole that had swallowed his daughter.
…
Tsukichikara's eyes opened up to see a gray sky. Under her, something crunched. Looking around, she saw that she had landed on a pile of bones at the bottom of the well.
Grabbing a still unconscious Jaken, she climbed out of the well. When she looked around, the trees and land were covered in snow. Taking the path back to the village, she searched for any sign of Katsurou.
When she arrived at the village boarder, the farmers looked up at her in fear. They dropped their firewood and axes and ran for their homes. Two archers drew their swords and aimed at her.
"Leave, demon!" an archer said.
"I'm looking for a demon dressed in red robes," Tsukichikara said calmly, "Did he pass through here?"
Both hunters let their arrows loose. With a swing of Yuguresaiga, she knocked them out of their paths before they hit her face.
"I ask again, did he pass through here?" she asked.
"There was no demon like that!" a woman called, "Now leave us!"
Nodding to the woman, Tsukichikara made her way back to the forest. None of the villagers had recognized her, nor had she recognized them. If Kagome's stories were any indications, Tsukichikara had traveled through time. But had she come to the future or to the past?
…
Two hundred years before the defeat of Naraku.
Ever observant, Sesshomaru watched his father swing a blade at a dead human body. With a flash of light, the sword cut the dead woman, leaving no trace of a wound. Slowly, the woman gasped and sat up in shock.
"Stay calm," Inu no Taisho said soothingly, "Tell me who attacked you."
"It was a beast with wings like a bat. It's skin looked like a lizard's," the woman said, "It had red eyes and it swiped me with its claws. I don't remember anything else."
"Thank you," Inu no Taisho nodded.
The great dog demon took to the sky. Sesshomaru followed.
"Why did you waste your time with that human?" Sesshomaru asked, flying at his father's side, "The attack was clearly done by a western dragon."
"Clearly," his father replied.
"Master, could that be Lord Dracon?" a flea demon riding on Inu no Taisho's shoulder asked.
"He's after the relic," Inu no Taisho said, "No good can come of a demon who lusts for divine power."
Inutiasho stopped in mid air. He looked towards the east. Sesshomaru observed carefully as his father floated with a cold look on his face. His eyebrows narrowed in suspicion.
"Sesshomaru, continue to follow the dragon scent. If you see that dragon, send Myoga to me immediately."
Inu no Taisho picked up the flea demon from his shoulder and flicked him at Sesshomaru's fur limb. The flea demon latched onto Sesshomaru
"And if he seeks a fight?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Don't get yourself killed," Inu no Taisho replied.
His father transformed into a ball of light and sped towards the eastern shore. Watching his father, Sesshomaru wondered for a moment what his father had sensed.
"Lord Sesshomaru, shouldn't we be going?" the flea asked.
"Be silent," Sesshomaru replied.
Catching the scent of the lowly dragon, Sesshomaru flew west.
…
Kneeling at a stream, Tsukichikara bent down to take a drink. Cupping the cold liquid in her hands, she drank her fill until her thirst was quenched. As she sipped the water, her hairs stood on end as a powerful aura emerged at her right. She kept drinking until the aura came up behind her.
Quick as a flash, Tsukichikara drew her sword. Her blade clanged against a large curved blade made of metal. Her nose was overwhelmed with the aroma of powerful dog blood. Blood that resembled her father's.
"You came from downwind," Tsukichikara said to her opponent.
"And you pretended not to sense me until I had almost struck," the dog demon replied, "I am the lord of these lands, they call me Inu no Taisho. What do they call you, half-demon?"
"Tsukichikara," she replied.
Inu no Taisho sheathed Tessiaga. Tsukichikara did the same with her blade.
"Your blood is of a dog demon," Inu no Taisho said, "Who is your sire?"
"I cannot answer you," Tsukichikara replied.
"I see that the crest of my son's clan is on your sword," Inu no Taisho said with narrow eyes.
She looked at the pummel of her blade. Sesshomaru's crescent had been carved into it by Totosai before she was born.
"My son's blood flows through you," Inu no Taisho surmised, "And you carry a blade made from a fang I assume belongs to him. I only need to smell your blood to know that much. But I also detect traces of humans and other demons on your armor. You were fighting another dog demon recently, weren't you?"
"Lady Tsukichikara!" Jaken called, "I've seen no trace of that vile Katsurou!"
Jaken froze, staring at Inu no Taisho in pure shock.
"Inu no Taisho!" Jaken pointed.
"Yes?" the dog demon asked.
"You're alive!" Jaken declared.
"Eh?" Inu no Taisho grunted, "Alive? Then to you..."
He looked searchingly at Tsukichikara.
"So, you are not from here... or now," Inu no Taisho nodded, "To think that my son would have a half-demon child..."
Inu no Taisho chucked in amusement.
"Tell me, why are you searching for Katsurou?"
"He lead an army that attacked our village," Tsukichikara said, "He came through the Bone Eater's well to this point in time. I have no doubt that he means harm to my father or your other wife."
"To Izayoi?" Inutiasho asked, "But why?"
"Because Father was able to accept my half-demon uncle as a member of his family," Tsukichikara said, "If not for Inuyasha and my mother, Father would be the same cold demon he always was."
…
Sesshomaru tracked Dracon's scent to the western shore. The dragon had flown back to the sea, back to the mainland. No doubt he would return soon with a plan to steal the relic.
"Lord Sesshomaru," a male voice said.
"Katsurou?" Sesshomaru asked, looking at his... cousin?
The half-dog, half-fire demon looked far older than Sesshomaru recalled. He bowed to Sesshomaru in battered armor. The younger dog demon had the scent of human blood and battle on him. The Katsurou Sesshomaru knew was not this hardened warrior.
"Who are you?" Sesshomaru asked.
"I am who I appear to be," Katsurou replied, "I am from the future. In two hundred years, you will be a demon of unparalleled power. You will be even greater than your father."
With his interest peaked, Sesshomaru listened more carefully.
"But there is a large problem with your rule. Humans gain too much power in our lands. Right now, I am pursued by a demon disguised as one of own. And worse still, she masquerades as a half-demon! She has a sword that draws on demon power, but without it she is useless. If I could get it away from her, I could kill her and set the future to a state that benefits us both."
"If I truly become as powerful as you say, there is no need to alter events," Sesshomaru said.
"Your father dies before you can defeat him in battle," Katsurou added.
Sesshomaru looked at Katsurou in mild disbelief.
"I know how to prolong his life long enough for you to defeat him properly," Katsurou went on, "So you can become the leader you were always meant to be."
"Very well," Sesshomaru said, "Who is this demon you speak of?"
"Her name is Tsukichikara," Katsurou smirked.
…
"So, my son learns to wield this sword, Bakusaiga, you say?" Inu no Taisho asked Jaken.
"Indeed," Jaken declared, "He is the most powerful demon in the world! He has no need for any of your swords!"
Tsukichikara walked down the forest path with her grandfather and father's idiot of a vassal. Hungry for information, Inu no Taisho had asked Jaken all the questions he could think of. Eager to brag about Sesshomaru, Jaken had answered all the dog general's inquiries, despite Tsukichikara's protests.
"Come now, I won't let this information harm your future," the dog general assured her, "You're much like your father, stubborn."
"Lord Sesshomaru certainly has his share of stubbornness," Jaken agreed, "It took him two hundred years to give up his quest for Tessiaga. And seven years to realize his own feelings for Rin."
"This human, what is she like?"
"She's a stubborn woman with no sense of respect for her betters. She constantly gets in the way and distracts Lord Sesshomaru with mundane concerns. Her redeeming quality is that she is loyal to-"
Having heard enough, Tsukichikara threw a rock at the imp.
"Oooff, you little brat!" Jaken cried.
"Stop insulting my mother," Tsukichikara said.
"It's a shame I'll never live to see your mother," Inu no Taisho looked up at the sky.
"You're not going to ask how you died?" Tsukichikara asked.
"Death is something we must all accept, even demons. At least I know how to prepare. It sets my mind at ease to know my sons will eventually call each other 'brother'."
"I don't know about that," Jaken said, "The most Lord Sesshomaru gives to Inuyasha is begrudged recognition. Neither of them get along very well, seeing as how Inuyasha is a half-breed."
"Actually, it's because they have incompatible personalities," Tsukichikara said.
"True. You seem like you would get along fine with my son," Inu no Taisho said, "No doubt he taught you to remain aloof as you do."
"A calm mind is an asset," Tsukichikara recited, "One must never lose control of oneself, especially in the heat of battle."
The breeze blew from the west. Gasping, Tsukichikara felt the aura of her father. Quickly, she activated her blood pendant. The pedant's power shielded her aura, scent, and appearance as a demon. Her dog ears and white hair transformed into black hair and her eyes went to brown.
"Father," Sesshomaru said, landing nearby, "Step away from that woman."
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken called out in joy.
"Who are you?" Sesshomaru asked.
Jaken's face fell into dismay as he realized that this Sesshomaru was one from before Jaken had met him.
"Just a humble imp, sire," Jaken nodded his head.
"Sesshomaru, what is this about?" Inu no Taisho asked as Sesshomaru bared his claws.
"I must kill that woman," Sesshomaru said.
Cold shock ran through Tsukichikara's blood. She reached for her sword, her hands shaking in fear. Sesshomaru bounded forward, taking her by surprise. He wrestled the sword from her grasp, taking hold of the hilt and pulling it out.
"That was no challenge," Sesshomaru said, flexing his claws.
"Sesshomaru, stop!" his father ordered, his yokai pulsing.
Sesshomaru transformed into a ball of light, sword in hand, and flew away from his father.
He has my sword, Tsukichikara thought, I can't fight without my sword!
Fear started to flood her mind. Inside, she felt her demon blood start to boil.
"Lady Tsukichikara, don't lose control!" Jaken demanded, "Do not let your blood take over!"
Inu no Taisho knelt next to her. He put a hand on her shoulder.
"You are not in danger," he said sternly, "I will not allow my son or Katsurou to harm you."
His words penetrated her fear and went into her head. Clenching her fists, Tsukichikara fought to regain control of her body. The blood cooled, leaving her as she should be.
"I have to get that sword back," Tsukichikara said.
…
Sesshomaru threw the fang at Katsurou's feet.
"You can do the rest alone," Sesshomaru said, "I have no need to fight my father at this time."
"This will be enough," Katsurou replied, taking Yuguresaiga into his grasp.