Chapter 20 A Familiar Face

In a flash Yoruichi stands between two foes holding the their swords in the sheaf and stopping them from attacking each other. She feels the heat from both their bodies as Sesshomaru and the masked intruder stare each other down. "Wait Sess..." Before Yoruichi can finish the masked intruder takes her in his huge muscular arms hugs her tightly and spends her around. "PUT ME DOWN", she protests. The large shinigami just laughs.

Sesshomaru does not find the situation amusing in the least. "Put her down now", he demands as he actives his poison claw.

The masked intruder slowly puts Yoruichi down. "You picked an uptight one didn't you, princess", he says as he takes off his mask.

"It's ok, Sesshomaru this is Zariya Christo, former LT. Commander of the Internal Imperial Court Regiment. He's a mentor and old friend". Sesshomaru continues to try and stare Zariya down.

Zariya laughs loudly. "So you're still trying to stare me down. I was taking out kids like you be for your father even came up with a line to get your mother in bed," he says smugly as his strokes his well-groomed white goatee. "I'll let it go because I know you're just trying to establish your territory thinking that's how to protect, Yoruichi. Keep in mind someone doesn't fight in 100 battles and lives over a thousand years to talk about just because he's handsome."

Yoruichi attempts to lighten the mood. "There you go again bragging about your looks. So I take it that you're still the lady-killer. "

"And you know it princess. I've got a late date tonight with a hot one. I also just had lunch with another beauty, but I'm not here to brag," his tone becomes serious. "I figured you'd be here since you weren't at Kukaku's. The moment I got word of Sesshomaru's appearance I knew you'd find him, take care of him, and protect him. Which would put you in danger and I couldn't let my little princess go into a fight without knowing what kind of fight she was in for," he says after taking a deep breath.

"What's really going on Zariya?"

"Sesshomaru isn't the first a dog demon has visited the Soul Society. A little over a thousand years ago a powerful dog demon somehow ended up in the Rukongai. The people were terrified. I am not sure who lashed out first but it started a mob attack. The Gotei was called in to bring order and to apprehend the demon. The "100", supposedly the best class to graduate from the academy, was sent to take care of the "problem". My commander sent me in as well just to observe. I was kinda cocky at that age so when I ran into the demon of course I did more than observe. I saw him let some cowardly chaps go after he easily defeated their leader, and to me that meant he was more than the monster he was described as. I spoke to him and said he was Inu no Taisho."

"Father", Sesshomaru whispers.

"Ah so I was right you two are related. I'd asked him to lay down his sword and met with Yamamoto. Before I could finish talking with him some members of the "100" so this was a perfect time to attack. I was even injured due to their zealousness. After being injured Inu no Taisho transformed right before my eyes into a gigantic white demon dog. The members of the "100" wouldn't stop. Several of their members were killed and a lot were badly injured. Sesshomaru's father got away and was never seen again, but because of that night Central 46 ordered that if he or another like him would return they would be executed onsite. Most people chose to forget that experience, but when Sesshomaru showed up older folks figured he must be a demon too.

"So that's why they've been so intent on capturing Sesshomaru", says Yoruichi in a sad whisper. "He never had a chance."

"No princess. I never told you this because I knew how enamored you were with Sesshomaru. His father is honorable so I figure Sesshomaru must be the same since you care so deeply for him. Even today I can see how much you two really love each other." Yoruichi and Sesshomaru look at each other their eyes lock for a moment then they turn away from each other.

"You've couldn't came all this way just to tell me that Zariya."

"You can still read people like a book, can't you? You're right that's not all. All the evidence gathered from all the dog demon visits have been archived at the Shinigami Research Institute." Both Yoruichi and Sesshomaru look surprised. "Now that mad man, Mayrui, has a secret team looking for Sesshomaru. I heard from a good source, Mayrui is actually working on a type of demon killer. He wants to study Sesshomaru".

Sesshomaru becomes angry but masks it behind a cold stare. "So they actually think they can kill me, Sesshomaru. Fools, they're fools." Yoruichi turns to face him and she looks grief stricken. She has that same look in her face just like from the last time. She afraid for me again, but this time will she offer to fight on my side.

"Sesshomaru, I told you last time not to discount them". Visions from her nightmare, Sesshomaru's death fills her mind. She pauses.

"Yoruichi, I have grown even more power, "

"Dammit Sesshomaru, they've become more powerful too," her anxiety causes her to lash out. "Sesshomaru, I know you've grown to be more powerful and I am sure you can fight them" She takes his hand. "I am asking you not to, we won't win this time." She gives his hand a squeeze and tries to look optimistic about the situation, but he can still see the worry behind the dimness her eyes and all he wants to do make her eyes shine like before.