(So, I used a phrase from Game of Thrones in this chapter because it really stuck with me and made sense since Sesshomaru is a lord and prince)

(WARNING: MILD VIOLENCE IN THIS CHAPTER)

MENOMARU

CHAPTER 19: ENTER MENOMARU

Cunning, or so he thinks. Menomaru is a snake demon that likes to think he is above everyone else, even is lord. The one that he has been serving for more than 150 years. Sesshomaru Taisho, Lord of the Western Lands. The very lands that he currently resides in, to his regret. Now he has learned that Lord Sesshomaru has two sons from the very 'human' woman. He had received word for one of his spies that Lady Kagome had given birth to two purebred inu daiyokai sons. Identical twin boys that look exactly like Lord Sesshomaru himself, save a few features and the color of their family markings.

Nonetheless, he was disgusted by the fact that his lord had lain and mated with a human woman. And, that she had somehow produced purebred demon sons for him. He had to admit that it puzzled him. No human and demon mating had ever produced purebred children, at least, not to his knowledge. Still, his distaste for humans was unmoved.

He had no knowledge that his spy was caught as he tried to make his way out of Sesshomaru's shiro that was currently surrounded by thousands of his loyal soldiers and subjects. Sure, Menomaru had an army of thousands but that did not mean that Sesshomaru didn't either.

While Menomaru has upwards of 47,000 fighting men, Sesshomaru had well over 350,000 that included his allies from the Lords of the Eastern, Northern, and Southern Lands. Koga of the wolf tribe was the most willing to lend aide because of Kagome since they were good friends.

Menomaru was starting to get frustrated because he hadn't heard from any of his spies in weeks. Little did he know, Sesshomaru had captured and killed all of them himself.

'The one that passes the sentence, should swing the sword' -The words from Sesshomaru's father had resonated with him ever since the phrase had left him all those years ago as he lifted his arm, sword in hand with a proud arch of his back. Curling around to the back of his head, and surging his arm across his front in a straight line, beheaded all six of the spies with one swing of Bakusaiga.

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HIDEYO

The following week, Menomaru called upon Hideyo, another snake demon with unique powers. He was able to hypnotize others with just one look in the eyes and could spit poison. His true form was that of a giant midnight black cobra. He is silent and deadly. Standing at 6'2, black eyes with yellow pupils that had the signature slit through them, a strong jawline, short black hair, armor that covered all of his midsection and over his shoulders made of his scales, and a snake tattoo that went all the way up his left leg, curling around his hip across his back, and up to his right shoulder.

"Hideyo, I have summoned you here for a purpose. Since you are one of the best assassin's, I need you to do something for me." Menomaru stated flatly and he stared at the assassin. Hideyo regarded him with mild interest as he eyed him up and down, sizing him up.

"What is it that you require of me, Menomaru. I am very busy, but since you said it was urgent in your summons, I decided to come here to hear you out. Speak freely." Hideyo said, tone full of irritation.

"I need you to assassinate Sesshomaru's mate. The human woman is not fit to rule these lands and clearly neither is Sesshomaru, but if I were to try and assassinate him, war would break out. I would like to avoid something that serious." Menomaru said, getting straight to the point.

Secretly, Hideyo was in shock. He couldn't understand why Menomaru would even think of such a thing. Does this fool not know that I have been loyal to Sesshomaru for centuries? Hmm...Maybe Sesshomaru has never mentioned me in order to protect me and himself. It does make sense to do so...Still...Hideyo thought to himself as his curious eyes studied Menomaru's features. Nothing special, he had to admit, and not particularly powerful. There was no doubt in his mind that he would lose to Sesshomaru in single combat, true form or not.

Menomaru has a rather short figure, even being a snake demon. He stands at 5'10 and a slender build with little muscle mass. Whereas Sesshomaru at 6'7, strong build with tight and toned muscles, and inhuman skills of killing, not only towers over Menomaru but could literally break him in half without really trying.

Hideyo was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard Menomaru's agitated voice speak up.

"Will you do this for me, or not?" Menomaru hissed through clenched teeth.

Hmm...I suppose I can tell him that I will. It will give him the impression that he won't have to do it himself and he will relax, letting his guard down a bit. This will give me the chance to inform Sesshomaru what he is intending to do in the mean time. Hideyo thought to himself and smirked.

Face turning impassive, Hideyo looked Menomaru in the eye,"Yes, Menomaru. I will do this for you." He said plainly without any emotion as to not give anything away.

After being dismissed rather rudely, Hideyo set out to Sesshomaru's shiro. Not in any rush, he took his time to think so that he could help Sesshomaru formulate a plan in order to get to Menomaru first.

Little did anyone know, Menomaru already had another secret plan underway to kidnap Sesshomaru's infant sons and kill them. He would do this himself because he trusted no one else to do it. With an evil grin, he set out in the dead of night to the Western Lord's home in the hopes of sneaking inside unnoticed.

~*~*Author's Notes*~*~

Hey guys! I hope everyone is doing well! Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've been really busy this past week. I'm hoping that I can start updating on a regular basis now. Bare with me!

I wanted to let everyone know that I working on another story but I can't really decide if I want it to be a Sesshomaru X Kagome ship or an InuTaisho X Kagome ship. I would love to hear what you guys would want it to be! It's going to be a mix of them being in the modern era and feudal era. I have a few chapters written so far and I gotta say...I really think y'all are going to like it!

Anyway, let me know what ship you guys want!