Chapter Twenty-Nine

The Princess' Recovery

Seihomaru sat beside Suki and ran his fingers through her hair as she slept, recovering from the poison that her body had been riddled with. It had taken Nii almost a full week to get the leaves needed and return to the sankin kotai. In that time, Seihomaru had made the decision to hold a council with the members of his court in regards to Rendromaru. Several had been upset over the rat's imprisonment, but after Seihomaru firmly informed them that the evidence was compelling and not refutable, they had reluctantly agreed on the sentence.

Due to the direct attack on the people's Princess, Rendromaru had been sentenced to death publicly so the clan could witness what would befall them should it ever happen again. He had had enough of the rat's interference, but to his great surprise, when Sesshomaru had heard what had happened, and what his teacher would go through, the pup had been angry and distant.

The young pup had locked himself in his chambers and refused to see him or his mother and Seihomaru sighed. Rendromaru had done enough damage to his son and many of the clan were still upset over what was going to happen to the rat in a couple of days. Traylaymaru had spent the entire time keeping watch, and whenever he needed a break, Nii had taken over, lurking in the shadows, or as much of the shadows as the small eclipse youkai could handle without going into a panic.

There had been a couple attempts to break Rendromaru out of the cell, but Nii or Traylaymaru had had them immediately disposed of. Thanks to his poison ability, any and all traces were eliminated, but the stench lingered on in the dark stone caves below the sankin kotai.

Suki shifted slightly and her eyes opened. "Hi." She whispered. "You're back."

Seihomaru turned his gaze to hers. "I am."

She pushed up on the futon and took a shaky breath. "When did you get back?"

"Over a week ago. Do you not remember being ill?"

Suki nodded. "I was not aware of how long I was asleep for."

"You have been in and out of consciousness." Seihomaru stood up and grabbed a fur-lined kimono and brought it over to her. He stopped when he saw tears in her eyes and he sighed.

"We lost another." Suki sniffled.

"I am aware, that is how we discovered you had been poisoned." Seihomaru placed the kimono over her shoulders.

Suki frowned. "Poisoned?"

"Yes, by Rendromaru. His sentence will be carried out the day after tomorrow." Seihomaru held out his hands for her to take so he could pull her to her feet. She tugged, however, and he almost stumbled right on top of her. He grunted when he quickly shifted his fall so that he landed onto the futon. With a questioning glance, he noticed her smirk. Chuckling, he pushed himself into a sitting position.

Suki placed her head against his shoulder. "I want another pup."

"I know, but how many more miscarriages can you take? We have tried for years with no luck." Seihomaru sighed and pulled her into his arms.

Suki growled. "Blasted rat."

Seihomaru chuckled again. "I must leave after Rendromaru's sentence. I still have to retrieve Soun'ga and go to the Shinden-zukuri."

"Did you find the mirror?" Suki lifted her head to look him in the eyes.

"I did." Suddenly remembering the gift from Suzaku, he stood and grabbed his bag. "Suzaku had this made for you."

"Did you have a good visit?" Suki smiled mischievously. She knew about Suzaku as she and Seihomaru had enjoyed a pleasure night with her and Seiryu a few years back.

Seihomaru snorted. "It was relaxing. Seiryu actually managed to seduce Nii."

Suki gasped. "Really? How was that experience?"

Seihomaru laughed. "It was interesting. Byakko was able to find a gem that can be chipped off and added to a drink to help him with his overwhelming fear."

"Good." Suki wrapped her arms around his neck and lightly bit his shoulder and Seihomaru growled softly.

"None of that woman. I have duties to tend to." Seihomaru lifted a brow at her.

"Your duties can wait." Suki giggled and pulled him back onto the futon with her.


Shuzo rolled his eyes once again at his host who stood outside staring at the bright sun that beamed on them. 'Why?'

Nii narrowed his eyes and glanced at his youki. 'That happened purely by chance. I didn't plan to go there.'

'You seemed to do fine.' Shuzo's voice trailed off and his eyes grew distant.

Nii gasped and his eyes widened. 'Oh, hell no! Not this again!' He exclaimed. 'Seiho!'

Shuzo grinned widely. 'Insatiable little shit, isn't he?'

'You are enjoying this far too much.'

Shuzo smirked.

Nii groaned loudly and once again lifted his gaze towards the sky. He stopped, however, when his eyes landed on Sesshomaru's. The small pup was looking out the window lost in thought, almost as though longing for freedom. With a faint chuckle, Nii turned and entered the main house silently.

Nii made his way down the halls and once at the pup's chambers, he poked his head into the room. Sesshomaru hadn't moved from the window and Nii cleared his throat which caused Sesshomaru to whirl around startled. His golden eyes narrowed but when they saw who it was, his expression relaxed.

"May I come in?" Nii asked.

Sesshomaru took a deep breath but nodded his head.

"You look troubled," Nii said as he closed the door behind him.

Sesshomaru's eyes moved back to the window. "There are some weird lights over there." He pointed out his window, in the direction the Shinden-zukuri sat.

Nii frowned and walked over to the window. Once he saw what Sesshomaru was referring to, his body grew cold. "Youki." He breathed.

Sesshomaru's head lifted upward. "Youki?"

Nii nodded. Bending down he wrapped his arm around the pup's shoulders. "When a youkai releases his energy, it allows an aura that can be seen and that energy that is released is from our inner spirits when they assist us in battle."

"So like my green stuff? My dokkasou?" Sesshomaru lifted his hand to his face.

Nii twitched lifting his brow. "Green stuff?"

Sesshomaru smiled proudly. "It is all misty and green and it burns when it touches stuff."

'Oh, gods. He has that poison ability too?' Nii felt his eyes widen. "Dokkasou? Interesting name."

Sesshomaru pouted. "It named itself." He blamed it.

Nii chuckled.

"How did you do what you did?" Sesshomaru asked.

"When?" Nii asked.

"You know when we saw the cats." Sesshomaru placed his hands on his hips as though it was obvious what he meant.

"Oh. You mean this?" Nii reached his hand out and pulled a dagger out of thin air.

Sesshomaru's mouth came unhinged.

Nii chuckled and flicked his hand and the dagger vanished.

"How?" Sesshomaru asked breathlessly. "Can I learn how to do that?"

Nii shook his head. "It is one of my abilities. You will have many of your own that are only for you."

Sesshomaru pouted. "What else can you do?"

Nii shrugged his shoulders. "I've been asleep for such a long time I do not know what is still available to me. Without practice, I suppose I won't know until I try."

"Chichiue said that my abilities are waking too soon."

Nii nodded his head. "It is rather early if you already have access to one. Do you know what the coming of age day is?"

Sesshomaru shook his head. "I think it means when I become an adult."

"Exactly. On your coming of age day, your inner spirit stirs and wakes. It is a great ceremony for both you and your parents because what abilities they have become alive in you." Nii smiled.

"I don't know what Chichiue can do." Sesshomaru slumped his shoulders.

Nii lifted Sesshomaru's hand and held it in front of his face. "Well, one ability from your father has already presented itself."

Sesshomaru blinked at his hand and then turned wide surprised eyes to Nii's "Father can do that?" He whispered as though in disbelief.

Nii grinned and nodded. "It isn't something your father uses often, but it is definitely one you share."

Sesshomaru seemed to beam proudly then. "What else can father do?"

"A great many things. Because you both share the green mist you also probably share an immunity to certain poisons." Nii pulled Sesshomaru into his lap once he made himself comfortable on the ground. His eyes lingered on the area the youki was coming from. It felt far too familiar and yet changed. 'Can you feel that?' He turned his eyes to Shuzo who was staring at the surge of youki.

'I can.' Shuzo turned and smiled at the small pup and Nii. 'You miss him, don't you?'

Nii furrowed his brow. 'Io?' Obviously Shuzo meant his son. 'I also miss Airi.'

Shuzo nodded his head sadly. Nii's daughter had shown great promise for her future as an eclipse youkai, having basically no fear and an adventurous spirit. His lavender eyes landed on Sesshomaru's again when the pup was looking around the room and back up at Nii curiously. 'He is an inquisitive little thing.'

Nii looked down at Sesshomaru and chuckled. "What is wrong?"

Sesshomaru's mouth turned downward. "Nothing, but you were talking to someone. Is that like your dagger?"

Nii bit his lip. "Not exactly. I was talking with my youki. When yours wakes, you will be able to have conversations with him as well."

Sesshomaru's hands went to his mouth. "Really? I can talk to him?"

"When he wakes, yes. Not yet, though. He is still sleeping and must remain so until he has grown stronger. See, if your spirit wakes too soon, he may not have learned all he needs to and it could be a hindrance to your growth and abilities." Nii smirked.

"Oh. Can we see our youki too?" Sesshomaru asked, his eyes roaming the room again.

"Usually we can meet with them inside the pools of life. I am different. I can see mine all the time." Nii smiled.

"So I won't be able to see mine except inside the pools?" Sesshomaru pouted.

"There are a few things you might be able to do. But when you and your inner spirit meet, you can discuss things then." Nii shook his head.

Sesshomaru leaned over and whispered as though what he was saying was a huge secret. "Can I see your youki too?"

Nii snickered. "Not unless he and I were to allow you to see him."

Sesshomaru grinned widely. "Is a youki like the Zashiki-warashi that roams our house?"

"The Zashiki-warashi is a ghost spirit of a little girl. She is a youkai like you and me but of a different species." Nii explained.

"We are inuyoukai." Sesshomaru placed his finger on his chin and thought deeply.

'Goodness this pup is incredibly smart for his age.' Nii lifted his brow curiously. "You like learning about things, don't you?" It wasn't uncommon for a pup nearing his coming of age day to learn everything they possibly could, but coming from such a young pup it was unheard of.

Sesshomaru nodded happily. "Rendromaru-" He stopped and his happiness immediately vanished and an aura of brooding took over.

"Oie." Nii frowned. "None of that. I don't care how close you two got, Rendromaru tried to harm your mother and father. Do you know what that is?"

"Father said sensei tried to kill mother." Sesshomaru sighed, and rather than an angry pulse of energy, it was filled with sadness.

"Yes. Now, you use that little brain of yours and tell me, if Rendromaru were to be left alive, what do you think might happen?" Nii pointed out.

Sesshomaru paused and thought for a few minutes before he spoke. "It would mean he would try again, or he might attack us later."

"Exactly. Rendromaru gave you certain skills which will always and forever be with you, but that does not excuse his attack on the Princess, your mother." Nii said.

Sesshomaru's head lifted followed closely by Nii's when a surge of energy filled the night air and grabbing Sesshomaru tightly, Nii stood and glanced out the window. "Why does it feel so dark?" Sesshomaru whispered.

"It's a challenge," Nii said.

"For father?" Sesshomaru turned worried eyes to Nii's.

"I don't think directly. This feels different." Nii frowned.


Seihomaru rolled over and peered into his mates face with a small smile. His fingers brushed a strand of hair off her cheek and sighed relieved that no lingering traces of the poisoning remained. Suki slept peacefully and comfortably, draped over his one arm and he pulled gently to release himself. Pushing into a sitting position, he grunted when he realized it was nearing morning, which meant that Rendromaru's sentence was fast approaching.

His gold eyes drifted down when he felt a light tug on his hair and he quirked a brow at her grinning face. "You distracted me all night." He accused.

"You are complaining?" Suki giggled and sat up. "I stole your whole day too."

Seihomaru chuckled. "I noticed. How are you feeling?"

Suki shrugged her shoulders. "I feel fine. No longer groggy or tired."

"Good." Seihomaru pushed the blanket off and got to his feet. He grinned widely when he received an appreciated growl and he turned his head.

Suki smiled. "Oh, don't mind me. I am admiring the view."

Seihomaru smirked. "Is the view still to your approval?" He said playfully.

"Oh, yes. No complaints." Suki nodded. "You have filled out a little more."

Seihomaru glanced down at his body but didn't see any difference in his form.

"You also have new markings around your hips," Suki said.

"Those I did notice." Seihomaru nodded. "I can only assume that it was either because my youki woke, or it was an aftereffect of meeting Nii in the mating pools."

Suki pointed to his arm. "You have Nii's youki's mark on your arm. My youki was rather perturbed about that."

Seihomaru gave his mate a flat stare. "She does realize that Nii is a male does she not?"

Suki giggled. "Of course she does silly. She still wanted you and your youki all to herself. Not that I blame her."

Seihomaru shook his head. "As soon as the house is free of Rendromaru and his minions, you will be free to wander again." He frowned when he remembered the youkai a hundred years ago trying to challenge him for rights to the Princess. Even though he and Suki had been mated for hundreds of years, he was somewhat surprised that a few challenges came to light. "Is that pain in the ass still around?" He growled.

"Who? Genji?" Suki lifted a delicate brow.

Seihomaru narrowed his eyes and nodded.

"No, remember you sent him packing. You frightened the poor thing." Suki giggled.

"He shouldn't have challenged me for you, then." Seihomaru rolled his eyes. He reached out for his haori but froze when he felt a pulse of energy filter in through their window. With a frown, glancing at the window, he walked over and peered out.

"What is it?" Suki asked, standing and wrapping a thin yukata around her tiny frame and walked over to him.

Seihomaru narrowed his eyes at the thick purple haze that lingered far too close to his old home. "Some foul beast lingers too close to the Shinden-zukuri." He snarled.

Suki sighed and wrapped her arms around his waist. "So you will be leaving after you deal with Rendromaru." She stated.

Seihomaru turned in her arms and placed his chin on her head. "You know I must. I still have yet to retrieve the Soun'ga from Toutousai's and take Nii to the valley."

"Do you think it will be a dangerous journey?" Suki asked.

"I am uncertain. Why?" Seihomaru closed one eye and pulled back to stare at her.

Suki grinned and walked out of his arms with a wink. "I think you should take Sesshomaru with you again."

Seihomaru groaned. "Do you realize how dangerous it was the first time?"

"He wants to be with you. It is boring here for him. Out in the wilderness, he can explore, learn new things, discover life."

"I will think about it." Seihomaru shook his head. "If it is going to the Shinden-zukuri and back again, I do not see an issue. However, if I must engage in battle, what then?"

"Then Nii is there." Suki purred as she began dressing. "It's not like you both haven't had the pups with you in the past and been engaged in a fight."

Seihomaru sighed his memory of having Ahmya and Airi watching their father's fight from the safety of a tree rushing to the front of his mind. "I will speak with Nii and if he agrees then I will take Sesshomaru with me to the Shinden-zukuri. I do not like this energy close to there though."

"You will be fine." Suki grinned and slipped into the adjoining chambers leaving him standing there naked.


Nii stood beside Traylaymaru as they watched the cell Rendromaru was in closely. For the past few hours, there had been no signs of attempted break-outs but with how devious the rat was, anything was possible. There was always the risk of someone trying to free him during Seihomaru's sentencing. Both youkai were discussing what they thought their Lord and commander would do. With the whole attempted assassination of the Princess, Nii knew Seihomaru well enough to know that he would more than likely not risk having the rat pop up at a later date to try again.

Traylaymaru shook his head. "I think Seihomaru will send him to another land. Quite possibly somewhere far away so that he never returns."

Nii grunted his arms crossed over his chest. "What would stop the rat from returning and trying to kill Suki again? Or what if he tries to kill Sesshomaru?"

Traylaymaru shrugged. "Maybe the fear of having to face Seihomaru again."

"No, the risk is too great for him to leave the rat alive. You know better than anyone that if Rendromaru leaves, his minions could quite possibly take up where the rat left off." Nii glanced over his shoulder to stare at the cell door. "Even if Rendromaru wasn't in the area, he could still send messages. This was too close for comfort."

Traylaymaru nodded then. "True. Had you not been here to discover the poison used, Suki would be dead." He sighed. "I will go gather the guards so that everything is ready."

Nii nodded his head and watched the dark-haired youkai walk down the long hall. He could hear the uneven breath of Rendromaru from his location, and he could tell that the rat was afraid. This was the first time he felt that emotion from the rodent and he shook his head disapprovingly. Messing with Seihomaru was certainly not something a lesser youkai did and if they somehow convinced themselves it was a good idea, they usually were set straight within minutes.

Rendromaru seemed to think that he was invincible against Seihomaru and that was his first mistake. His second was thinking he could eliminate the Princess and place the blame on someone else. Obviously the rat had no idea that both he and Seihomaru shared a bond, not with all records of who he was destroyed. That was an added benefit for him, however, leaving his life less at risk than when there was knowledge of the eclipse youkai existence.

Nii walked over to the cell and peered at the quivering rat who hunched in a corner. "So have you figured out anything?"

Rendromaru lifted his head quickly and squinted at him. "Like who you are? Obviously not. Otherwise, our positions would be switched."

Nii snorted. "If that's what you want to believe." He shook his head when he felt the approach of several guards and he turned around nodding his head in greeting. Behind them was Traylaymaru who was ready for anything. "Lord Seihomaru is ready for him."

Nii stepped out of the way and watched the guards unlock the iron door and then move towards the cowering rat youkai. They bound his wrists and led him out. Rendromaru glared at Nii and the eclipse youkai rolled his eyes.

Traylaymaru took the left side while Nii gripped Rendromaru's right arm and they led the way down the cave towards the halls where Seihomaru would be waiting. Nii had made sure that Sesshomaru was busy with Akina and her small pup and out of the way so that he didn't have to witness the sentence his father was going to place upon his teacher. After his conversation with the small pup the day before, he knew that Sesshomaru actually liked his instructor. But in Nii's mind, Rendromaru couldn't have been the mastermind behind the plot against his parents' lives.

Once inside the halls, three guards posted themselves outside the large ornate doors while the rest followed Traylaymaru and Nii towards the waiting Seihomaru who sat on his chair waiting. Nii smirked at the look on Seihomaru's face and he lifted a brow waiting patiently for the lord to move. He had been witness to several meetings such as these in the past. Most of them held by the Lord Chijimatsu and Lord Monogachi, the former leaders of the Inuyoukai clan. Only a handful he witnessed with Lord Seihomaru.

Rendromaru was led directly before the stairs and the entire room remained silent. The guards pushed the rat to his knees and Nii lifted his gaze to the traditional cover that was used for the Princess so that she was not visible to those of lesser status. Seihomaru finally stood and walked down the stairs calmly. Far too calmly for Nii and the eclipse youkai lifted a brow curiously.

Traylaymaru leaned over and whispered, "He is pulling all the stops today. He is taking no chances for any weakness to be found."

Nii nodded his head in agreement and remained silent as he watched Seihomaru approached Rendromaru.

"Rendromaru," Seihomaru growled which caused a faint stir in the halls at the intensity.

The rat jerked and lifted his head, great big tears in his eyes.

"Your attempt at taking Princess Suki's life failed, and you admitted your attempt on my own," Seihomaru said smoothly.

Rendromaru's face landed with a thud on the floor, his quavering voice spouting out apologies.

"Urusai!" Seihomaru snapped.

The rat immediately went still.

"You spoke with several in regards to eliminating me and taking over the clan, but instead of challenging me outright, you sought to do it in a dishonorable fashion." Seihomaru continued on. "I should kill you right here, but instead, I have found a better way for you to regain your honor."

The rat lifted his eyes the black depths pleading for mercy.

Seihomaru tossed a tanto at the rat's feet and pointed at the sheathed blade. "The samurai have this wonderful tradition they created called Seppuku. In order for them to regain their honor, they would face their clan leader, in their case their Daimyo and use the knife and perform Harakiri. This tradition is solely given to the one who initiated a dishonorable act. They are given two choices. You can take the tanto and insert the blade into your gut, taking your own life by slicing through vital organs. Or a beheading initiated by one of my choosing." The Lord turned and waited while the rat allowed the information to sink in. "You will not regain a physical body, nor after your death will you gain a mourning stone. The afterlife that waits for you will not be met with Gozu and Mezu at the gates to the underworld. If you are lucky, you will be granted entrance to hell. However, if you are not so lucky, your soul will spend an eternity in the spirit realm, where lost spirits roam."

Rendromaru moaned loudly, his face once again falling to the floor.

"You were given ample warning to cease your ploys and you chose to ignore them. No longer will you have control here and no longer will you sink your fangs into my pup. You are here-by removed from my graces. Now choose your fate, rat." Seihomaru snarled.

Rendromaru jumped at the loud boom of Seihomaru's voice and his hands shook when they reached out for the sheathed dagger. Nii moved over beside Traylaymaru as he watched intently, and his eyes wandered quickly over the court who watched silently. They were all youkai and were familiar with the ruling of lords, this was nothing new, especially when it came to the life of their Princess. No one seemed surprised by Seihomaru's choice, and all eyes watched the rat.

Satisfied that none seemed interested in freeing Rendromaru, Nii turned his eyes once again to the rat who slowly pulled the dagger free. Time seemed to stand still when the rat's eyes gleamed and seemingly in a final desperate attempt, lunged forward, hand held high, aiming right at Seihomaru's back.

Nii gasped and he was at Rendromaru's side in a space of a breath, not even thinking, and he forcefully gripped the rat's exposed arm and pulled downward. Rendromaru lost his momentum and tumbled to the floor, his eyes crazed and surprise and focused on Nii. Seihomaru whirled around in the time that Nii had moved and was already flexing his claws in preparation. Lord Seihomaru lifted a brow at Nii and then smiled.

The court waited breathlessly as they had witnessed Nii's movements and all eyes were locked on the youkai who disarmed Rendromaru. Nii leaned over and whispered. "Feeble attempt, Rendromaru."

Rendromaru's eyes seemed to bug out then as he realized what stood beside him, his black eyes locked on Nii's black and gold ones.

Seihomaru clicked his tongue and gave his friend a nod. Nii pulled Rendromaru's head back by his hair and placed his dagger against his throat. "You are a fool to think you could have killed Lord Seihomaru." Nii lifted his eyes to Seihomaru as the Lord walked over silently.

Seihomaru bent down and picked up the tanto and peered at it for a moment before he flung it at Rendromaru's exposed chest, just as Nii's dagger slid across the rat's throat.

Nii released Rendromaru and the hall remained silent as they watched the rat's life ebb away. It was a painless death for the rodent, and both Seihomaru and Nii sighed.

"I want all of Rendromaru's court found and expelled from the clan immediately." Seihomaru turned to the waiting court members and the guards instantly rushed from the halls. "Remember this, should you have thoughts of following Rendromaru's ploy. Even though I may not be in the area, word reaches me across all of Japan or other countries. I will face any challenges for the rights to the clan should anyone feel the desire to, but I will not allow secrets to swarm my halls. You are all dismissed."

Seihomaru didn't wait to see if he was obeyed but Nii smirked as he watched the halls empty almost immediately. "I think you have made a couple of enemies today," Nii said.

Seihomaru grunted. "How is that different than any other day?" As he walked by Rendromaru's body, he released his youki and focused his green poison to rid himself of the rat youkai who now lay dead. Traylaymaru took several steps back and winced when the body started hissing as it melted.

Nii pinched his nose and grunted. "Ugh. It is going to take you weeks to rid this place of that stench."

Seihomaru chuckled. "The good news is, we don't have to suffer through it."

Soft giggling emerged from the cloth enclosure. "But you leave the rest of us to deal with it." Suki came out and narrowed her eyes at the three remaining youkai in the room.

Seihomaru turned to her and grinned. "Open the roof hatch and keep the room clear for a few days. Have the maids light incense and it will be fine in a couple of hours."

Nii was staring at Seihomaru which caused the lord to turn in question. "Are we going somewhere that I was not informed of?"

"To Toutousai's and then to the Shinden-zukuri," Seihomaru smirked.

"Ah." Nii nodded his head. "Who will you leave in charge?"

Seihomaru jerked his thumb at the dark-haired youkai. "That one."

Traylaymaru's mouth dropped open in shock. "Wha-?"

Nii snickered. "Have fun."

"Seihomaru?" Suki called before they could leave.

Seihomaru turned with a raised brow.

"What of Sesshomaru?" She asked with a slight edge to her voice.

"Right." Seihomaru snapped his fingers. "The pup is coming with us."

Nii stopped mid-stride and watched Seihomaru walk out of the room casually with a smug look on his face.